Interim Head of Finance: Close Down

Job Description

INTERIM HEAD OF FINANCE: CLOSE DOWN / DEPUTY CHIEF ACCOUNTANT /
* Local Authority | Hybrid Working
* Immediate Start
* Initial Contract with Potential Extension
* Excellent Daily Rate

Morgan Law is supporting a local authority client seeking an experienced and highly hands-on finance professional to help lead a complex financial reporting and audit programme.

This is a critical assignment requiring someone who can quickly take ownership of external audit relationships, drive year-end accounts production and help navigate multiple years of audit activity.

Key responsibilities include:
* Managing the external audit process end-to-end, including requests, evidence gathering and stakeholder coordination
* Liaising with auditors across:

• Current year audit (2025/26)
• Historical audit backlog (2021/22 to 2024/25)
• Value for Money (VfM) audits

* Preparing and posting audit adjustments across the general ledger, CIES, MiRS, reserves and balance sheet areas
* Updating and finalising the Statement of Accounts, including primary statements and disclosures
* Leading year-end closedown activities and coordinating deadlines across the wider finance team
*Managing and developing a small team, including graduate trainees and a Principal Finance Officer
* Strengthening working papers and ensuring audit-ready financial reporting throughout

We are keen to speak with candidates who have operated as:
* Chief Accountant
* Deputy Chief Accountant
* Technical Accountant
* Head of Technical Accounting
* Financial Reporting Manager
* Corporate Accounting Manager

Essential experience:
* Strong local government finance background
* Extensive Statement of Accounts experience
* Detailed knowledge of CIPFA Code, IFRS, CIES, MiRS and reserves accounting
* Significant experience managing external audit relationships
* Experience dealing with audit backlogs and complex year-end processes
* Hands-on delivery approach rather than purely strategic oversight

If you're interested, or know someone who may be suitable, please get in touch for a confidential discussion, messaging me at (url removed)