Job type
TemporaryLocation
LondonWorking Pattern
Full-timeSpecialism
Senior Finance QualifiedIndustry
Government & Public ServicesPay
£450 - £550 per day
Senior Finance Business Partner - Senior Finance Job - ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA Qualified - Local Government
Job Description: Finance Business Partner
Overview:
We are seeking a highly skilled Finance Business Partner to provide strategic financial advice and support to Directors, Assistant Directors, and Heads of Service. This role will act as a trusted advisor, ensuring financial integrity, compliance, and value for money across a defined service area.
We are seeking a highly skilled Finance Business Partner to provide strategic financial advice and support to Directors, Assistant Directors, and Heads of Service. This role will act as a trusted advisor, ensuring financial integrity, compliance, and value for money across a defined service area.
Key Responsibilities:
- Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Support the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and ensure alignment with the Council’s financial strategy.
- Identify savings and efficiency opportunities, ensuring growth proposals are robust and evidence-based.
- Guide managers in developing savings and growth requirements using data-driven insights.
- Accounts & Financial Reporting
- Lead the closing of accounts process, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and deadlines.
- Prepare accurate financial reports for departmental meetings and draft financial implications for reports to members and directors.
- Ensure government returns and grant claims are completed on time.
- Budget Monitoring & Forecasting
- Enable budget managers to produce accurate year-end forecasts.
- Conduct high-level checks, challenge assumptions, and identify risks or potential savings.
- Recommend mitigating actions to address budget pressures.
- Systems & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to the Council’s financial regulations and standing orders.
- Lead the embedding of Oracle and self-serve tools, supporting budget holders in effective system use.
- Provide specialist technical advice and ensure processes conform to best practice and deliver value for money.
- Strategic Collaboration
- Work closely with Directors, Heads of Service, and members to support decision-making on major projects (procurement, staffing restructures, service redesign).
- Undertake financial appraisals of planned service changes and assess legislative/policy impacts.
- Collaborate with external partner organisations as required.
- Leadership & Development
- Manage one to two staff members, providing guidance and support.
- Identify financial management training needs within the service.
- Deputise for the Head of Finance and provide cover for other Business Partners as needed.
- Contribute to the Financial Operations Group (FOG), leading task-and-finish groups to resolve key issues.
Qualifications & Skills
- Strong background in financial management within a public sector or complex organisational environment.
- Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
- Knowledge of accounting standards, financial regulations, and governance frameworks.
- Proficiency in financial systems (Oracle preferred) and ability to drive system adoption.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Leadership experience with the ability to manage and develop staff.
- ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA fully qualified
- You will ideally have 5+ years experience working as an FBP in a Local Authority.
