Principal Management / Financial Accountant

Description:

Wakefield, West Yorkshire (WF1)
£26.62 per hour PAYE
22 June 2026 – 1 December 2026

Lynx Employment Services are recruiting for an experienced Principal Management / Financial Accountant to support a busy local authority finance team. This role focuses on the management of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and financial support for maintained schools, ensuring robust financial management, statutory compliance, and high-quality financial advice.

### Key Responsibilities

Support the development of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy by analysing future funding, income streams, demand pressures, inflation, and legislative changes.

Assist in ensuring proper financial administration and effective stewardship of public funds.

Coordinate the production of revenue and capital budgets, forecasts, and final accounts in line with statutory and best practice requirements.

Provide regular financial reporting, analysis, forecasting, and strategic advice to operational managers and senior stakeholders.

Support effective budget management and resource planning across service areas.

Deliver professional financial advice on policy developments, service changes, and financial implications of strategic decisions.

Attend and contribute to meetings, working groups, budget clinics, and management forums.

Ensure accurate and timely completion of grant claims and financial returns.

Produce financial information and statutory returns for government departments and external bodies.

Support the financial management and reporting requirements of maintained schools.

Provide oversight and monitoring of the Dedicated Schools Grant, including reporting and liaison with key stakeholders.

Deputise for senior finance management when required.
### Essential Requirements

CCAB-qualified accountant (or equivalent).
Significant experience within public sector or local government finance.
Strong knowledge of management accounting, financial accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
Experience of DSG, education finance, schools funding, or grant management.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate findings clearly.
Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial systems experience.
Experience supporting senior managers and budget holders with financial decision-making.
### Desirable

Experience working with maintained schools and education funding.
Knowledge of local government finance regulations and reporting requirements.
Experience preparing returns and submissions to organisations such as the DfE and CIPFA.
Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified finance professional to play a key role in supporting education finance and strategic financial planning within a large public sector organisation