Job Introduction
We are seeking an experienced Principal Accountant to lead with integrity and precision, and help us to drive positive change.
At Bradford Children and Families Trust, we’re committed to delivering a high-quality, forward-thinking financial service that empowers our Directors and Managers to make confident, informed decisions—ensuring budgets are balanced and services reach the children and families who need them most.
As Principal Accountant, you’ll play a key role in this mission. Reporting to the Finance Business Partner, you’ll work closely with Managers and budget holders to oversee budgets, develop accurate forecasts and guide the day-to-day work of the Finance Business Partnering Team.
If you’re a qualified Accountant with local government experience and a proactive, solution-focused approach, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and make your next move one that really matters.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Finance Business Partner to provide a comprehensive, professional financial support service to managers and budget holders.
- To prepare revenue monitoring and other financial reports for Directors and their management teams.
- To ensure the provision of accurate, timely and relevant information, linking it to performance information to support business needs.
- Use of professional judgement and expertise to identify business solutions whilst ensuring principles of best value, value for money and risk management are embedded in service delivery.
- To develop and promote more effective ways of delivering the financial service to meet the needs of business users.
- To promote the finance function by making an effective contribution to the Finance Business Partnering Team.
About You
- Qualified Accountant with experience of business partnering and stakeholder engagement.
- Relevant experience in a financial management environment.
- Knowledge of the current and emerging Government legislation & statutory regulations and other key operational initiatives affecting the public sector.
- Departmental or service-based experience (not restricted to local government)
- Understanding of how financial services contribute to effective service delivery.
- Uses, interprets, analyses, communicates complex numerical information.
- Understanding of local government finance.
- Report writing and analytical skills.
- Awareness of public sector procurement rules
- Experience of spreadsheet models or manipulating data extracts.
- Evidence of analysis of public sector accounts or preparation of year end accounts.
- Working collaboratively with service and project officers who may have limited financial skills..
- Experience of people management.
- Strong interpersonal skills are also a requirement for this role.
- Relevant accountancy qualification either ACCA / CIMA / ACA / CIPFA.
Benefits
- Generous employer contributions to the WYPF Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Supportive staff networks
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts
- Professional development/support
- Career progression
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement
- Hybrid working – 2 days working from home each week.
Location: Bradford
Next Steps
The closing date for this role is 31st August.
For any queries, please contact Raj Singh (Mob: 07582 102780) or Carol Harris (Mob: 07484 951502).
Interview Location: 3rd Floor, Sir Henry Mitchell House, Manchester Road, Bradford, BD5 0Q
Interview Details: To be confirmed.
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
