Finance Business Partner

Essential Employment; Bristol; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic Finance Business Partner is needed in Bristol for a full-time temporary role. The successful candidate will lead critical financial processes, manage budget preparations, and provide strategic financial advice to senior stakeholders. The position requires a qualified accountant with strong leadership skills and experience in technical accounting within public sector environments.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with CCAB qualification.
• Experience in technical accounting, ideally in public sector.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, SORP, and financial codes.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Statement of Accounts and manage external audit.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior leadership.
• Lead annual financial close-down and manage audit relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Budget Management

Strategic Financial Advice

Financial Reporting

Education

Full CCAB qualification or equivalent

Job description

Finance Business Partner needed in Bristol, paying £467 per day. Ref 5266005

Full-time hours on a temporary basis.

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Finance Business Partner to take ownership of a senior finance leadership role within our organization. This is a critical position for a qualified accountant who has previously led the Chief Accountant function and is ready to drive strategic financial improvements across the business.

You will lead on:

• Preparation of the Statement of Accounts (SOA) and act as the primary liaison for external audit.
• Briefing senior stakeholders on financial reports and leading initiatives to improve financial processes and reporting.
• Budget preparation for Collection Fund income and the Council Tax Base report.
• Oversight of statutory returns and ensuring full compliance with financial regulations.
• Managing and developing a high-performing team responsible for technical accounting and financial governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial advice and support to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure robust financial control and governance.
• Lead the annual financial close-down process and manage audit relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems, processes, and reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all statutory and regulatory returns.

Desirable

• Full CCAB qualification (or equivalent).
• Proven experience in technical accounting, ideally within a public sector or regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, SORP, and relevant financial codes of practice.
• Expertise in Collection Fund accounting, business rates, and budget setting.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, with a track record of managing and developing finance teams.

If interested, please email your CV to [e-mail] quoting the reference number.

Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references, so please be prepared.