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)
