Finance Manager

Milton-Keynes-Council; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement (28 days + service

Excellent pension (LGPS)

Family-friendly policies

Employee benefits programme

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Blue Light Card discounts

Job summary

Milton Keynes City Council is recruiting a Finance Manager to help keep the council financially sound and optimise resource use. You will be the finance lead for Children and Families services and a key member of the Finance Management Team, collaborating with senior leaders to strengthen plans, manage complex budgets and support informed decisions.

You will lead and develop a team, improve financial processes and help ensure public money is managed openly and responsibly.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ongoing professional development.
• Inclusive manager who can motivate and develop colleagues.
• Experience in financial planning, control and reporting within a complex public sector.
• Ability to explain complex financial information to senior stakeholders.
• Skilled in producing accessible reports, presentations and financial models.
• Willing to challenge assumptions and deliver high‑quality work.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial support provided to allocated service areas and contribute to ongoing improvement of the Finance Service.
• Manage, support and develop team members, set priorities and maintain high professional standards.
• Lead the Medium Term Financial Plan process for allocated services, review pressures and savings proposals.
• Report on complex budgets, forecast challenges and ensure delivery of savings.
• Oversee year-end closure of accounts and coordinate with external audit.
• Provide financial advice on projects, procurement and contracts in line with governance.

Skills

Financial planning

Budget reporting

Stakeholder communication

Leadership and mentorship

Financial modelling

Accountancy CPD

Education

CCAB membership

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Closing Date:

08/11/2026

Job Category:

Finance

Service Area:

Finance & Resources - Services- Professional Finance

Package Description

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32days after five years.In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
• Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
• A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
• Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can lease an electric or low-emission vehicle at a reduced cost through salary sacrifice, subject to National Minimum Wage and other eligibility requirements.
• Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.

Roles are either ‘site based’ or ‘home based’.

Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs.

Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week.

The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.

Job Introduction

We’re recruiting a Finance Manager to help Milton Keynes City Council remain financially sound and make the best use of its resources.

Our Finance Service supports teams across the council by providing clear financial advice, constructive challenge and accurate information.

You’ll be the finance lead for Children and Families service areas and a member of the Finance Management Team.

You’ll work closely with senior leaders and service managers to strengthen financial planning, manage complex budgets and support well-informed decisions.

You’ll also lead and develop a team, improve financial processes and help ensure that public money is managed transparently and responsibly.

This is a rewarding role for a qualified accountant who can combine professional expertise with a practical and collaborative approach.

This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home‑based roles require a minimum of one day per week working from the office or site

Interviews for this role will be held on 16th November 2026

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

We take pride in our supportive work culture and try to go that extra mile when it comes to investing in our colleagues.

• Lead the financial support provided to your allocated service areas and contribute to the effective management and continuous improvement of the Finance Service.
• Manage, support and develop colleagues within the team, setting clear priorities and maintaining high professional standards.
• Lead the Medium Term Financial Plan process for allocated services, reviewing pressures, savings proposals, funding, grants, risks and business cases.
• Report clearly on complex and changing budgets, challenge forecasts, identify ways to manage overspends and ensure that agreed savings are delivered.
• Oversee the year-end closure of accounts for allocated services, maintaining accurate records and working effectively with external audit.
• Provide clear financial advice on council projects, procurement and contracts, while ensuring compliance with financial regulations and governance requirements.

Ideal Candidate

• A qualified accountant with membership of a Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies organisation, relevant post-qualification experience and evidence of continuing professional development.
• An inclusive manager who can motivate, support and develop colleagues while creating a positive and accountable working environment.
• Experienced in financial planning, control and reporting within a complex organisation, with some experience of working in the public sector.
• Clear and confident when explaining complicated financial information to people with different levels of knowledge, including senior stakeholders.
• Skilled in producing accessible reports, presentations, financial models and evidence-based recommendations.
• Ready to challenge assumptions, find practical solutions and deliver high-quality work in a demanding environment.

About The Organisation

Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.

We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.

We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.

Take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.

Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have an independent and unrestricted right to work in the UK, without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.