Deputy Chief Finance Officer

Service Care Legal; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A local authority recruitment agency in Bournemouth is seeking a Deputy Chief Finance Officer to lead financial management and support statutory duties. The ideal candidate is a CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant with extensive experience in senior roles and strong leadership skills. This role offers a temporary contract at a competitive daily rate and is critical for ensuring financial stability during transformation initiatives.

Benefits

£250 referral bonus

Qualifications

• CCAB/CIMA Qualified Accountant with extensive PQE.
• Proven track record in a senior leadership finance role with exposure to s151 responsibilities.
• Strong background in Council-wide transformation/change programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Council’s budget-setting process.
• Provide strategic direction while deputising for the CFO.
• Oversee preparation of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

Skills

Leadership in finance

Strategic financial advice

Communication skills

Financial risk management

Education

CCAB/CIMA Qualification

Job description

Overview

Deputy CFO & Deputy S151 Officer
Location: Dorset
Contract: Temporary (6 months initial)
Rate: £750.00 – £900.00 per day umbrella // £659.61 - £791.42 per day PAYE inclusive // £588.57 – £706.18 per day PAYE exclusive
Start Date: ASAP

Service Care Solutions are recruiting for a Deputy CFO on behalf of a Local Authority in Dorset to join the team on a temporary basis. Reporting directly to the Section 151 Officer, you will lead the Council’s budget-setting process and play a pivotal role in ensuring financial resilience, stability, and compliance during a critical period. This is a senior leadership opportunity at the heart of local government finance, providing strategic direction while deputising for the CFO.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Section 151 Officer in delivering robust financial management and statutory duties under the Local Government Act 1972.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior management and elected members.
• Oversee preparation of the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for a gross revenue spend of approx. £1bn.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, accounting standards, and best practices.
• Lead financial risk management and value-for-money initiatives across Council-wide transformation and savings programmes.
• Support readiness for ERP (Oracle) implementation and oversee the development of a finance product team.
• Mentor and support finance team members, fostering high performance and continuous improvement.
• Act as a member of the Council’s Corporate Leadership Team, contributing to strategic decision-making.

Candidate Criteria

• CCAB/CIMA Qualified Accountant with extensive PQE
• Proven track record in a senior leadership finance role with exposure to s151 responsibilities.
• Extensive experience leading MTFP development for a large Local Authority, translating plans into deliverable budget options.
• Strong background in Council-wide transformation/change programmes, working across multidisciplinary teams.
• Great communication and management skills with the ability to lead a large team

How to Apply

If you are interested in the role, please contact Greg at Service Care Solutions on the listed phone number or email. Service Care Solutions also offers a £250 referral bonus; you will receive £250 for the referral once the person’s probationary period has been completed.

Job Info

• Job Title: Deputy Chief Finance Officer
• Company: Service Care Legal
• Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
• Posted: Sep 22nd 2025
• Closes: Oct 23rd 2025
• Sector: Contract
• Hours: Full Time