Job Description
Job description
Job Description
We’re proud of Lewisham’s diversity and our distinct and dynamic communities. A borough of sanctuary we have a history of welcoming migrants and refugees, which reflects our values of fairness, equality and putting our residents at the heart of everything we do.
An inner London borough, we are bursting with creativity and opportunities, and we’re still untapping our potential.
The role
The role of Chief Accountant forms part of the senior leadership team in the Finance Service, reporting to the Director of Finance (deputy S151).
You will be responsible for the following teams within finance:
• Core accounting;
• Capital accounting;
• Collection Fund accounting;
• Financial Transactions, including accounts receivable and payable teams
You will be accountable for the timely preparation and production of the Council’s grouped accounts in accordance with all necessary statutory and other reporting arrangements. This includes leading the engagement with the external auditors and ensuring that the Council’s financial systems and accounting structures are maintained to support the production of statutory and other accounting information, including all government returns, both capital and revenue.
Maintain oversight of the Council’s Balance Sheet to ensure the continued resilience of the Council. Reporting and interpreting regularly alongside other budget management information to ensure that the Council’s financial position is fully understood.
Maintain oversight of the Collection Fund in liaison with the Head of Revenues to ensure that in-year projections are available to both the Council and other levying bodies and to support financial planning processes.
Maintain in balance the Council’s annual cash limit budget; promoting best financial practice within the authority and applying effective financial controls to the Council and its Directorates.
Maintain systems to ensure the timely payment of sums payable by the Council and the receipt of sums due to the Council. Ensure that the payment and recover of VAT and other sums due to the government are made promptly and accurately.
Implement systems of credit control and ensure the calculation of bad debt provisions are undertaken on a regular basis and remain appropriate; protect the Council from losses associated with the writing off of debt.
Report regularly on the performance of payments from all sources and on the raising and recovery of debt.
Maintain the Council’s capital programme and its financing components ensuring that it is affordable, reflects into, and is consistent with revenue and capital budget provision, and matches the Council’s priorities and its capital strategy.
Advise Members and EMT on areas within the scope of your division working corporately across the Council and with our partners to help formulate strategies that add value to the people of the borough and delivers efficiencies.
Lead and manage the finance function for the services under your control, developing strategies and service programmes which meet statutory requirements, the council’s policy objectives and local needs.
Your outstanding financial advice will support our growth and investment plans and deliver on our commitments to Lewisham’s communities.
What’s in it for you ?
Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks
What We’re Looking For
You will be a confident, experienced and qualified accountant, able to lead one of the key services within Finance with significant financial and regulatory responsibilities.
You will be a strong and highly motivated leader and team player with energy and credibility who commands the confidence of Members, senior managers, staff, business partners and stakeholders.
You will be:
• Ambitious, driven and energetic;
• Visible, approachable and accessible;
• Resilient, determined and confident;
• Able to prioritise, make decisions and provide clear leadership including the establishment and maintenance of a performance management culture;
• Have expert knowledge of Local Government Accounting regulations and codes of practice;
• Good understanding of implementing and operating electronic accounting systems;
Location
Whilst the service is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU we operate a hybrid approach whereby you may be required to work both in the office and from home as determined by service requirements.
Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.
Further information
For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Katharine Nidd on 07+30 805850.
Lewisham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.
We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification
Salary details
£75,273 - £81,411 per annum (SMG3)
N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Closing date
Sunday 6th October 2026, 23;5+pm
Interview Date: Thursday 17th and Friday 18th October 2026
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works , which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Let’s stay connected, follow us on social media:
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram
Job Description
We’re proud of Lewisham’s diversity and our distinct and dynamic communities. A borough of sanctuary we have a history of welcoming migrants and refugees, which reflects our values of fairness, equality and putting our residents at the heart of everything we do.
An inner London borough, we are bursting with creativity and opportunities, and we’re still untapping our potential.
The role
The role of Chief Accountant forms part of the senior leadership team in the Finance Service, reporting to the Director of Finance (deputy S151).
You will be responsible for the following teams within finance:
• Core accounting;
• Capital accounting;
• Collection Fund accounting;
• Financial Transactions, including accounts receivable and payable teams
You will be accountable for the timely preparation and production of the Council’s grouped accounts in accordance with all necessary statutory and other reporting arrangements. This includes leading the engagement with the external auditors and ensuring that the Council’s financial systems and accounting structures are maintained to support the production of statutory and other accounting information, including all government returns, both capital and revenue.
Maintain oversight of the Council’s Balance Sheet to ensure the continued resilience of the Council. Reporting and interpreting regularly alongside other budget management information to ensure that the Council’s financial position is fully understood.
Maintain oversight of the Collection Fund in liaison with the Head of Revenues to ensure that in-year projections are available to both the Council and other levying bodies and to support financial planning processes.
Maintain in balance the Council’s annual cash limit budget; promoting best financial practice within the authority and applying effective financial controls to the Council and its Directorates.
Maintain systems to ensure the timely payment of sums payable by the Council and the receipt of sums due to the Council. Ensure that the payment and recover of VAT and other sums due to the government are made promptly and accurately.
Implement systems of credit control and ensure the calculation of bad debt provisions are undertaken on a regular basis and remain appropriate; protect the Council from losses associated with the writing off of debt.
Report regularly on the performance of payments from all sources and on the raising and recovery of debt.
Maintain the Council’s capital programme and its financing components ensuring that it is affordable, reflects into, and is consistent with revenue and capital budget provision, and matches the Council’s priorities and its capital strategy.
Advise Members and EMT on areas within the scope of your division working corporately across the Council and with our partners to help formulate strategies that add value to the people of the borough and delivers efficiencies.
Lead and manage the finance function for the services under your control, developing strategies and service programmes which meet statutory requirements, the council’s policy objectives and local needs.
Your outstanding financial advice will support our growth and investment plans and deliver on our commitments to Lewisham’s communities.
What’s in it for you ?
Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks
What We’re Looking For
You will be a confident, experienced and qualified accountant, able to lead one of the key services within Finance with significant financial and regulatory responsibilities.
You will be a strong and highly motivated leader and team player with energy and credibility who commands the confidence of Members, senior managers, staff, business partners and stakeholders.
You will be:
• Ambitious, driven and energetic;
• Visible, approachable and accessible;
• Resilient, determined and confident;
• Able to prioritise, make decisions and provide clear leadership including the establishment and maintenance of a performance management culture;
• Have expert knowledge of Local Government Accounting regulations and codes of practice;
• Good understanding of implementing and operating electronic accounting systems;
Location
Whilst the service is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU we operate a hybrid approach whereby you may be required to work both in the office and from home as determined by service requirements.
Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.
Further information
For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Katharine Nidd on 07+30 805850.
Lewisham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.
We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification
Salary details
£75,273 - £81,411 per annum (SMG3)
N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Closing date
Sunday 6th October 2026, 23;5+pm
Interview Date: Thursday 17th and Friday 18th October 2026
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works , which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Let’s stay connected, follow us on social media:
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Chief Accountant position is now open for candidates interested in the Accountant Jobs sector. This role in London offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Accountant Jobs is a plus.
