Principle Accountant

Principle Accountant – North Devon – Permanent
💼 Salary: £39,000 – £43,000 + Benefits Package
📍 Location: North Devon (Hybrid options available)
🕒 Hours: Full time (part-time considered)
📅 Start: ASAP

Are you a qualified accountant looking to step into a strategic, technically engaging role where you can genuinely influence financial planning and organisational decision-making? Whether you come from the public sector, private sector, or practice, this Principal Accountant position offers exceptional development and support for the right candidate.

We are partnering with a respected organisation seeking a professional, detail-driven Principal Accountant. You will play a central role in budget setting, financial strategy, annual accounts, statutory returns, and team leadership. Full training can be provided on sector-specific requirements, making this a fantastic opportunity for a qualified accountant seeking progression or a new environment. Additionally, benefiting from an excellent work/life balance with the likes of flexible working time, enhanced holiday allowance and closure over Christmas.

What You’ll Be Doing

✔ Leading the annual revenue budget process, challenging and supporting budget managers
✔ Providing professional financial advice on budgets, forecasts and new projects
✔ Producing the draft Quarterly Budget Monitoring Return
✔ Contributing to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and supporting long-term planning
✔ Keeping up to date with legislation, policy changes and financial regulations
✔ Leading on complex elements of the annual accounts (revenue and capital)
✔ Ensuring compliance with accounting standards and supporting external audit activity
✔ Supporting service managers with financial guidance and planning
✔ Line managing and developing members of the Finance Team
✔ Managing bank processes such as faster payments, BACS files and administration
✔ Taking on additional responsibilities tailored to your experience (treasury, capital, VAT, payroll, CT/NNDR, insurance or risk)

What We’re Looking For

💡 CCAB-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAEW etc.)
💡 Strong technical ability with confidence interpreting complex financial information
💡 Ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial colleagues
💡 Strong analytical, modelling and problem-solving skills
💡 Solid Excel and Microsoft Office skills
💡 High levels of integrity, professionalism and accuracy
💡 Willingness to learn sector-specific processes – full training provided

Desirable (but not essential):
• Experience with year-end accounts, capital or asset accounting
• Experience writing or presenting committee or board reports

Why You’ll Love This Role

✔ Local Government Pension Scheme (defined benefit – employer contribution 16%, employee 5%)
✔ Flexitime with core hours
✔ 26 days annual leave (rising to 31 after 5 years’ service) plus bank holidays
✔ Christmas closedown – 3 additional days
✔ Option to buy up to 10 extra days holiday
✔ Free on-site parking
✔ Cycle-to-work scheme
✔ Supportive, collaborative team
✔ Full training for sector-specific areas
✔ A meaningful role with big-picture influence

📩 Apply now for a confidential conversation about this Principal Accountant opportunity in North Devon.

Carrington Wood is a specialist recruitment consultancy supporting organisations across Cornwall, Devon, and the wider South West. We recruit across Finance, Accounting, HR, Administration, Customer Service and Business Support on both a temporary and permanent basis