Principal Accountant

Job description

Job Description

Salary: £49,232 - £51,356 per annum

Hours per week: 37 hours

Interview date: Monday 07 September 2026

We are seeking a CCAB qualified Principal Accountant to help shape and deliver high-quality financial management across the Council. In this influential role, you will provide expert advice to senior officers, supporting robust and informed decision-making through clear, timely financial insight. You will oversee complex and high-value funding areas such as the Better Care Fund (BCF) and Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), ensuring strong financial planning, control and reporting that underpin critical services.

This is a true business partnering role, working closely with senior stakeholders to influence strategy, challenge thinking and drive value for money. You will lead on budget setting, monitoring and closedown, alongside developing advanced financial modelling, benchmarking and performance insight. A key focus will be supporting transformation, embedding strong governance while improving processes, systems and ways of working. You will also help drive increased automation and the use of tools such as Power BI to enhance reporting and decision-making.

As a senior member of the Finance team, you will lead and develop staff, contribute to long-term financial strategy and support the delivery of statutory accounts. We are looking for individuals with proven experience of influencing in complex organisations, driving continuous improvement and supporting transformation, combining strong technical expertise with a proactive, forward-thinking approach.

Contact Details

Matthew Bull, Head of Finance (Adult's Services) [email protected]

Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.

Application Criteria

Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply

We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.

We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.

Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion

Disability Confident Employer

Application process

Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura).

Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission.

Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.