Corporate Finance Manager

Civic Recruitment Limited; Rugby; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is recruiting for a hands-on, fully qualified accountant to lead the Council’s corporate finance function in Rugby. The role covers statutory finance, accounting, treasury, taxation and returns, with a strong emphasis on delivering accurate financial reporting and supporting external audit.

Featuring a hybrid on-site arrangement in Rugby, the role focuses on ensuring compliance, monitoring cash flow and managing VAT/CIS, WGA/Delta returns, and the Fixed Asset Register;

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with a recognised professional accountancy qualification.
• Significant and recent experience working in a District or Borough Council environment.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and hands-on experience across local authority corporate finance.
• Proven experience preparing and/or reviewing local authority Statements of Accounts.
• Strong experience supporting and managing external audit processes.
• Practical knowledge of VAT and CIS within a local authority environment.
• Experience maintaining a Fixed Asset Register.
• Experience of Accounts Payable and related controls.
• Knowledge of Treasury management, banking and cash flow management.
• Experience completing WGA and Delta returns.

Responsibilities

• Lead and undertake the preparation of the Council’s Statement of Accounts, ensuring compliance with standards and deadlines.
• Manage external audit processes, respond to audit queries and resolve issues.
• Oversee VAT accounting, returns, reconciliations and compliance.
• Manage CIS processes and returns.
• Maintain and oversee the Fixed Asset Register and reconciliation to the ledger.
• Oversee Accounts Payable processes and controls.
• Lead Treasury Management, cash flow management and banking arrangements.

Skills

Public sector accounting

Audit support

VAT & CIS

Fixed asset register

Treasury management

Analytical skills

Independent worker

Education

CCAB / CIPFA / ACA / ACCA / CIMA

Job description

Rugby, United Kingdom | Posted on 10/09/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation.  That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide hands‑on leadership and technical expertise across the Council’s corporate finance function, ensuring the effective delivery of all core accounting, financial reporting, treasury, taxation and statutory finance requirements.

The postholder will be responsible for managing and, where required, directly undertaking a broad range of corporate finance activities expected within a District or Borough Council. This is a highly hands‑on role requiring a technically strong, fully qualified accountant who can quickly understand the Council’s financial operations, work closely with internal stakeholders and ensure the accurate and timely delivery of statutory and operational finance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and undertake the preparation of the Council’s Statement of Accounts , ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards, statutory requirements and deadlines.
• Manage and support the external audit process, including responding to audit queries, preparing supporting information and ensuring the timely resolution of audit issues.
• Oversee and undertake VAT accounting, returns, reconciliations and related compliance requirements.
• Manage Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) processes and returns.
• Maintain and oversee the Fixed Asset Register , ensuring accurate accounting records and appropriate reconciliation to the financial ledger.
• Oversee Accounts Payable processes, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant processing of payments.
• Lead Treasury Management and Banking activities, including cash management, banking arrangements, reconciliations and monitoring of the Council’s financial position.
• Prepare and monitor cash flow forecasts , ensuring effective management of the Council’s liquidity and financial resources.
• Complete and oversee statutory and financial returns, including Delta returns and Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) .
• Provide hands‑on technical accounting advice and support across the organisation.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity and completeness of financial records, reconciliations and reporting.
• Identify and resolve technical accounting issues and provide practical solutions to complex financial matters.
• Work closely with senior officers, finance colleagues, external auditors and other stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of corporate finance requirements.
• Review existing processes and implement improvements to enhance efficiency, financial control, compliance and value for money.
• Support the Council with any other corporate finance, accounting or statutory requirements that arise.
• Take responsibility for the full range of normal corporate finance activities expected within a District or Borough Council.

Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant with a recognised professional accountancy qualification (e.g. CCAB, CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA ).
• Significant and recent experience working in a District or Borough Council environment.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and substantial hands‑on experience across local authority corporate finance.
• Proven experience preparing and/or reviewing local authority Statements of Accounts .
• Strong experience supporting and managing external audit processes.
• Practical knowledge and experience of VAT and CIS within a local authority environment.
• Experience managing or maintaining a Fixed Asset Register .
• Experience of Accounts Payable and associated financial controls and processes.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of Treasury Management, banking and cash flow management .
• Experience completing local government statutory and financial returns, including WGA and Delta returns .
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of a broad range of corporate finance responsibilities.
• Strong technical accounting and analytical skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve complex financial issues.
• Ability to quickly understand existing processes, systems and financial arrangements and identify areas requiring attention.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with senior officers, finance teams, auditors and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a demanding environment and manage competing priorities.
• This is a hands‑on technical role , rather than a purely managerial position; candidates must be willing and able to undertake detailed finance and accounting work themselves.

Additional Information

• Hours: 37 Hours
• Location: Rugby, Warwickshire – hybrid working
• Initial On-Site Requirement: At least 4 days per week on site for the first couple of weeks to understand the Council’s operations and meet key stakeholders.
• Ongoing On-Site Requirement: Approximately 2–3 days per week on site , depending on business needs.