<p>Location: County-Wide</p><p>Contract Type: Permanent</p><p><br></p><p><strong>About this opportunity</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Finance Officer / Accountant to join our Finance team and play a key role in providing high‑quality financial advice, support and challenge across the organisation.</p><p><br></p><p>This is a business‑facing role, working closely with budget managers and service leads in the Thriving Communities Directorate, specifically the areas of Public Health and Public Protection, to ensure resources are planned, controlled and used effectively. You will support strategic decision‑making, lead on complex areas of financial management, and help drive continuous improvement in financial processes and reporting.</p><p><br></p><p>As Principal Finance Officer / Accountant, you will:</p><ul><li>Act as a finance business partner to assigned service areas, providing clear, timely and professional financial advice.</li><li>Lead on budget planning, monitoring and forecasting, ensuring financial risks and opportunities are identified and managed.</li><li>Contribute to the preparation of the Statement of Accounts, working papers and external audit processes.</li><li>Support the delivery of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, savings programmes and transformation activity.</li><li>Provide financial analysis to support business cases, policy development and grant funding claims and returns.</li><li>Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, financial regulations and CIPFA guidance.</li><li>Support, mentor and quality‑assure the work of other finance staff as required.</li><li>Promote strong financial management, value for money and continuous improvement across the Council.</li></ul><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Who we are looking for…</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We are looking for someone who is a qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent), or part qualified with significant relevant experience. It would be advantageous have experience of local authority or public sector finance, including budget management and financial reporting.</p><p><br></p><p>You must have excellent analytical skills and the ability to explain complex financial issues clearly to non-finance colleagues. A strong preference will be given if you have experience of working in a business-partnering or advisory role, supporting budget managers. To succeed in the role, you must be proactive, well-organised and able to manage competing priorities in a complex environment.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>What can we offer you!</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site.<strong> Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Would you like to find out more?</strong></p><p><br></p><p>If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Katie Proud, Finance Manager at Katie.Proud@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Application and Interview information</strong></p><p>Closing date: Wednesday 4th of March 2026</p><p>Interview date: Friday 13th March 2026</p>