Principal Accountant (HRA)
Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Councils
Service Area: Finance
Title: Principal Accountant - HRA
Grade: G
Salary: £45,495 - £54,738pa
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract: Permanent
Base: Lewes & Eastbourne with hybrid & remote working available
Two Councils One Team
Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District operate a shared service together creating a progressive partnership: two sovereign councils each with a unique identity and a shared vision of the future. Through joining our workforce and fostering a modern, collaborative culture, we are serving our residents in a more customer focussed and cost-effective way.
The councils now have an exciting opportunity to join the Financial Planning Team to assist in the delivery of the Councils vision and plans over the next 4 years, including:
- Providing leadership to the district on tackling climate emergency
- Creating sustainable community wealth
- Building homes that are affordable to live in
- Build on the success of ‘Recovery and Stabilisation’
- Redevelop and regenerate Eastbourne
At a time of high inflation, cost of living pressures and funding uncertainty the skills, professionalism and knowledge of the shared finance officer team will be key to helping the councils to protect services against reducing budgets, realising savings and mitigating risks.
As part of this programme, we have already recruited into a number of exciting new senior positions within finance continuing our momentum to ‘Raise the Bar’ and shape the new Finance Business Partnering service. We are now looking to appoint to a pivotal role within the Financial Planning Team.
The Business Partnering Team provides financial support and advice to Budget Holders, Heads of Service, Directors, and stakeholders across the full range of services delivered by Eastbourne Borough Council and Lewes District Council.
The Role
We are looking to appoint a committed, self-motivated and flexible HRA Accountant. Providing a comprehensive financial planning service that supports the achievement of both Lewes District Council and Eastbourne Borough Council priorities for housing delivery, you will be integral to the success of a range of new housing projects within both Councils. You will take lead responsibility for maintaining the HRA Business Plan, annual budget cycle and forecasting the impacts of investment in existing stock, new supply and other new housing initiatives as they arise.
Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate will be a CCAB qualified with significant experience in a local authority housing finance and accounting. You will be able to demonstrate considerable experience of financial planning processes in housing finance, and be able to lead a team consisting of finance officers, requiring strong leadership from you with experience of staff management being a key requisite.
You will need to build good relationships and work closely and collaboratively with budget managers, supporting them with monthly tasks including budget monitoring, identification of risks and mitigation, and delivery of savings, and provide support to the budget setting process, yearend tasks, and projects as required.
Overall, you will bring a track record of success in a housing revenue accounting; strong all round communication and management skills; credibility; a high level of technical housing expertise; and openness to innovation and new ways of delivering services.
If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about the role, please contact
Mark Walker, Head of Financial Planning on 0794 3521888 or Mark.Walker@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk
Closing date: 30 March, midday