** INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY** Principal Accountant

Grade: PO6 Salary: £54,267 - £57,402 Full time Permanent Closing Date: 14/10/2026 Directorate: Resources ** INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY** Organisation : London Borough of Waltham Forest Salary: PO6 £54,267 - £57,402 Contract Type: Full time Permanent Working hours per week: 36 Application Deadline: 14/10/26 Proposed Interview Date(s): w/c 19/10/2026 Reference: 2361 About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents. London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is a proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment. About the role: The Principal Accountant will work with the assigned service to provide high quality financial management information to support effective decision-making. The post holder will be required to: Prepare budgets in line with the budget setting process and support the monitoring as part of the monthly financial monitoring and year end process; Manage the provision of financial information to stakeholders across the organisation; Support the year end close down process for the external audit; and Provide technical advice and financial input across the organisation. The post holder must be a technically capable Principal Accountant, who can lead and develop the financial accounting capabilities of the service and also possess the technical skills to support the evaluation of capital schemes and projects. This will also include the identification of any financial accounting implications. They must have sufficient technical expertise to ensure that the Finance service has the capacity to provide high quality advice to members, Senior Leadership Team. This role supports Resources, Chief Executive and Strategy, Change & Communities Directorates. >> Click here to download the Role Profile << Key Responsibilities: Leading, coordinating and being accountable for the provision of customer-focused accountancy and financial management services. Providing support for the annual budget setting and medium-term financial planning processes. Assisting with the preparation of detailed revenue and capital expenditure and income budgets that meet corporate and departmental objectives. Developing appropriate financial models and analytics to determine the financial impact of future service demands, changes in legislation and other factors affecting resource requirements. Instigating, developing and supporting the delivery of alternative sources of funding that contribute towards identified funding gaps. Supporting the efficient and effective provision of a comprehensive financial management function, including all aspects of the annual estimates process, budget maintenance, monitoring and control. Supporting the preparation, analysis and provision of accurate financial management information, including budget monitoring reports and forecasts, promptly highlighting any risks and trends, in line with the Council’s policies and procedures. Promoting a culture which empowers budget holders and supports the delivery of value for money services and knowledge of key cost drivers. Preparing journals and the supporting documentation as required. Proactively seeking and taking responsibility for implementing internal process improvements, demonstrating the business case for change and benefits achieved. Acting as a key financial advisor, providing strategic support, expert advice and constructive challenge th