Deputy CFO & Deputy S151 Officer

Venn Group; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Deputy S151 Officer to enhance financial resilience. This role involves leading the budget process, providing strategic advice, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The ideal candidate has leadership experience in local authorities and is a fully qualified CCAB accountant. This hybrid position pays £750-900 per day for an initial 6-month contract.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leadership with S151 responsibilities.
• Experience in developing MTFP for large local authorities.
• Ability to manage relationships with auditors and respond effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead Council's budget setting process and MTFP.
• Support Section 151 Officer in financial management duties.
• Oversaw preparations for MTFP papers and reports.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Management

Communication skills

Relationship Management

Strategic Advice

Education

Fully qualified CCAB accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ACA)

Job description

Overview

We are working with a local authority who are looking for a Deputy S151 Officer to join the team. This is a key opportunity to play a pivotal role in ensuring the financial resilience and stability of the organisation during a critical period.

Role

Role: Deputy CFO & Deputy S151 Officer

Location: Local Authority

Set-up: Hybrid

Rate: £750-900 /day via umbrella, inside IR35

Duration: Initial 6-month contract

Hours: Full-time

Start: ASAP

Purpose of the job

You will lead the Council's budget setting process with specific focus on MTFP working directly with the Council's Section 151 Officer and deputising for them. This role will be part of the Council's corporate leadership team

Key Responsibilities

1. Support the Section 151 Officer in delivering robust financial management and statutory duties under the Local Government Act 1972
2. Provide strategic financial advice to senior management and elected members
3. Oversaw the preparation the MTFP papers and reports for a gross revenue spend of c.£1bn
4. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, accounting standards, and best practices
5. Lead on financial risk management and value for money for a Council wide transformation programme savings and efficiency plans
6. Ensure the finance teams readiness for ERP (Oracle) implementation and oversee the development of a product team
7. Mentor and support finance team members to ensure high performance and continuous improvement

You will have

1. A proven track record of working effectively in a leadership role with exposure to S151 responsibilities
2. Experience leading on the development of the MTFP for a large local authority, translating emerging plans into deliverable budget options
3. Experience supporting and driving Council wide multi-year transformation and change programmes working as part of a multidisciplinary team
4. Experience of managing relationships with internal/external auditors and responding to audit findings
5. Highly developed communication skills and the ability to influence and negotiate across a range of diverse subjects and stakeholders
6. In depth understanding of local government finance regulations, challenges, and best practices
7. Fully qualified CCAB accountant (e.g. CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ACA)

Should this position be of interest to you, please apply with an updated copy of your CV and myself or a member of the team will give you a call to discuss further.

At Venn Group, we endeavour to respond to all applications However due to the volume of applications we receive, if you have not heard from us within 48 hours please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion