Senior Accountant

​Working for City Hall makes a difference to the lives of Londoners. Our staff are at the centre of long-term planning and development for our great city.

Key information Organisation: Greater London Authority Job title:

• Senior Accountant Salary: £64,690 per annum
• Grade: 10 Contract type:
• Permanent Reference: 5488 Team: Financial Services Directorate: Chief Finance Officer Interview date: w/c 07/10/2026 Location:
• Union Street Application closing date: 20
• September 2026 at 23:59:00 Chief Finance Officer’s Directorate Supports the Mayor’s Office and wider GLA on a variety of different aspects: from managing daily financial decisions to setting long-term objectives; budget setting; and observing and recognising projects and opportunities in the market that may be worthy of development or investment.

About

the team

The team works within the Financial Services unit providing financial accounting for the GLA. The focus of the team is the preparation of the published financial statements as well as ensuring adequate financial control is exercised across the organisation.

About

the role

The Senior Accountant will play a key role in supporting the Chief Accountant and Deputy Chief Accountant in delivering high-quality accounting, taxation and exchequer services across the GLA Group.

Leading a team of finance professionals, the role will support the preparation of the annual accounts, provide expert advice on technical accounting matters, support the ongoing development of financial systems and processes, and contribute to the effective delivery of taxation advice and compliance activities.

What your day will look like To deputise for the Deputy Chief Accountant. To support the preparation of the annual accounts for the Greater London Authority (GLA), GLA Group, and, in so doing, to liaise with the auditors. To provide high quality technical accounting advice on complex areas, including on the capital programme.

To support the work of GLA’s shared transactional financial services, including accounts payable, sales invoicing, payroll, pensions and procurement. To develop the GLA’s use of its financial system and to ensure that it is fit for purpose for the GLA's evolving responsibilities.

To work with the GLA's in-house and external taxation advisory function in the provision of high quality advice and to ensure that the GLA’s tax liabilities are accurately calculated and reported to HMRC in a timely manner.

To ensure that reports and financial information are produced from the financial system to meet stakeholder requirements. To manage staff to co-ordinate their activities to ensure the timely delivery of financial advice and other pieces of work. To complete all other reasonable tasks, as directed, to fulfil this role.

Skills, knowledge and experience To be considered for the role you must meet the following

essential criteria:

Either a CCAB qualified accountant or an equivalent level of attainment. Substantial knowledge and practical experience of public sector finance, including a strong understanding of the statutory and regulatory framework governing local authority accounting.

Proven experience in managing, maintaining and developing financial accounting systems, together with experience of supporting or leading finance-related projects and system improvements. Significant experience of working with internal and external auditors, including leading and coordinating the year-end accounts and audit process.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, with the ability to analyse, manipulate and present complex financial data. Experience of using enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, Agresso or equivalent systems.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA Competency Framework

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following: Up to date CV Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345) As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. If you have questions

about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Ashraf Ali would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at ashraf.ali@london.gov.uk . If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

Assessment process Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel. If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: w/c 7/10/2026 Equality, diversity and inclusion London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels.

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible.

Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

Benefits

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office. In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments.

We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening. More Support If you have a disability which makes submitting an online application form difficult, please contact resourcingteam@london.gov.uk .

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy.

We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application. Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system.

We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.

The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework. GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role.

As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office. London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels.

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements.

We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme. Apply now » <aside