Finance Business Partner

MCS Group; Lisburn and Castlereagh District; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is seeking a Finance Business Partner to provide financial leadership and play a pivotal role in strengthening financial management across the organisation.

The role partners with senior management, delivering budgeting, forecasting, and robust financial reporting while driving opportunities for efficiency and value-for-money in a large public-sector environment.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant and full member of a recognised professional accountancy body.
• Minimum 2 years' relevant experience providing management accounting and analysis to senior management.
• Strong analytical ability with experience analysing, interpreting and presenting financial information.
• Strong IT skills, including advanced Excel experience.
• Full driving licence and access to suitable transport for official business use.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive financial management service to designated Directorates, supporting planning, management and decision-making.
• Act as a key finance business partner to senior management, providing clear financial advice and data-led insight.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and financial reporting with robust control of resources.
• Support development of business cases, financial strategies, long-term projections and option appraisals.
• Monitor financial performance and advise on risks, savings and value-for-money opportunities.
• Ensure governance compliance with Standing Financial Instructions, government accounting and Treasury guidance.
• Collaborate with finance colleagues and a wide range of stakeholders.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the finance function and modernisation of services.
• Provide leadership within the Finance Directorate and deputise for the Head of Strategic Financial Management when required.

Skills

Analytical ability

Financial data interpretation

Data-led insight

IT skills

Education

Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, etc.)

Tools

Advanced Excel

Job description

Ready to take the next step in your finance career as a Finance Business Partner?

MCS Group are proud to be partnering with Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) in their search for a Finance Business Partner. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant to provide financial leadership and business partnering support to senior management, while playing a key role in strengthening financial management across the organisation.

The Role:

• Provide a comprehensive financial management service to designated Directorates, supporting effective financial planning, management and decision-making.
• Act as a key finance business partner to senior management, providing clear financial advice, challenge and data-led insight.
• Lead on budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and financial reporting, ensuring robust financial control and effective use of resources.
• Support the development of business cases, financial strategies, long-term financial projections and option appraisals.
• Monitor financial performance and provide advice on risks, savings, efficiencies and value-for-money opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with financial governance requirements, Standing Financial Instructions, government accounting and relevant Treasury guidance.
• Work collaboratively with finance colleagues, budget holders and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across the finance function, supporting the development of a modern and responsive financial service.
• Provide leadership and professional support within the wider Finance Directorate and deputise for the Head of Strategic Financial Management when required.

The Person

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills and experience:

Essential:

• Fully qualified accountant and full member of a recognised professional accountancy body, including ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, Chartered Accountants Ireland, ICAS, ICAEW or CPA Ireland.
• Minimum 2 years' relevant experience providing a comprehensive management accounting and analysis service to senior management.
• Strong analytical ability, with experience analysing, interpreting and presenting financial information to support strategic decision-making, financial management, performance management and/or process improvement.
• Strong IT skills, including advanced Excel experience.
• Full driving licence and access to suitable transport for official business use.

What's in it for you?

• Opportunity to join NIFRS and play a key role in its strategic financial management.
• Work closely with senior leadership teams, providing meaningful financial insight and influencing organisational decision-making.
• Opportunity to contribute to the development and continuous improvement of a modern finance function.
• A varied role combining financial management, business partnering, governance and strategic planning.
• Excellent opportunity for professional development and to broaden your experience within a large public-sector organisation.

MCS Group is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for all, being the first recruitment agency in Northern Ireland to achieve Bronze Diversity Mark accreditation. If you have a disability which means you require a reasonable adjustment to be considered at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us and we will endeavour to facilitate your request.

Even if this position is not right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit our website to view a wide selection of our current opportunities.