Finance Manager (HRA)

Harrow Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

London Borough of Harrow is seeking an experienced Finance Manager (Housing Revenue Account) to provide strategic financial leadership, partner with Housing Services, and support the long-term viability of the HRA 30-year plan.

You will advise senior stakeholders, manage budgets, and drive governance and year-end processes while ensuring compliance with the HRA ring-fence. Strong CCAB credentials and local government experience are required.

Qualifications

• Qualified finance professional with substantial local government finance knowledge.
• Experience in Housing Revenue Account accounting, financial planning and governance.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable advice for senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial advice and robust challenge to senior stakeholders.
• Lead HRA revenue and capital budgets and long-term 30-year business planning.
• Model financial scenarios and support rent and service charge setting.
• Ensure statutory accounting, year-end processes and HRA ring-fence compliance.
• Support housing projects, transformation programmes and financial management improvements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Strategic financial leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

CCAB qualification

Job description

Overview

London Borough of Harrow is seeking an experienced and strategically minded Finance Manager (Housing Revenue Account) to play a key role in supporting the financial sustainability and future development of its Housing Service. Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will provide expert financial leadership, business partnering and strategic advice across the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), ensuring robust financial management and compliance within one of the Council’s most significant service areas.

This is a pivotal role, responsible for supporting the delivery of the Council’s Housing financial strategy, overseeing the HRA revenue and capital budgets, and maintaining the long-term financial viability of the 30-year HRA Business Plan. Working closely with Housing Services, Directors, Heads of Service and elected Members, you will provide high-quality financial insight and challenge to support informed decision-making, effective resource allocation and the delivery of excellent services for tenants and leaseholders. The role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities including HRA financial planning, rent and service charge setting, capital investment programmes, business plan modelling, financial reporting, statutory accounting and year-end processes. You will play a leading role in ensuring compliance with the statutory HRA ring-fence, safeguarding the integrity of housing finances and ensuring that resources are applied appropriately and effectively.

As a trusted finance business partner, you will contribute to major housing projects, transformation programmes and service improvements, while also supporting wider corporate finance activities and driving continuous improvement across financial management practices.

Why join Harrow?

At Harrow, we are proud to be a diverse, ambitious and resident-focused council. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where our people can thrive, develop their careers and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve. In return, you will have the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals, contribute to important corporate priorities, support our climate ambitions and help shape the future of local government finance. If you are looking for a rewarding role where your expertise will be valued and your contribution recognised, we would love to hear from you.

About You

You will be a qualified finance professional with substantial experience in local government finance and a strong understanding of Housing Revenue Account accounting, financial planning and governance, capable of providing strategic financial advice and robust challenge to senior stakeholders within a complex and evolving environment. You will possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and translate it into clear, meaningful advice for both finance and non-finance audiences. Building strong relationships, influencing decision-making and supporting service improvement will come naturally to you, alongside a proactive and collaborative leadership style focused on developing others, driving continuous improvement and delivering high-quality financial services that contribute to the Council’s wider objectives.

We are looking for someone who has:

• A CCAB professional accountancy qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and a commitment to maintaining professional knowledge and expertise.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of financial management and financial processes within local authorities.
• Detailed knowledge of local government housing finance and HRA accounting practices.
• A thorough understanding of HRA capital programmes, capital financing arrangements and the associated legislative framework.
• Experience of developing, maintaining and modelling long-term HRA Business Plans, including 30-year financial planning.
• Experience of rent setting and service charge calculations within a Housing Revenue Account environment.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing and maintaining effective controls to prevent breaches of the statutory HRA ring-fence.
• Proven experience of delivering the key responsibilities associated with a senior finance management or housing finance role.
• Experience of annual budget setting, financial planning and monitoring of significant capital and revenue budgets.
• Experience of providing financial support and challenge to large-scale housing projects, investment programmes and service transformation initiatives.
• Experience of preparing or supporting statutory HRA accounts and contributing to the Council’s Statement of Accounts.
• Experience of leading HRA year-end closedown processes, including accruals, fixed asset reconciliations, depreciation, impairment accounting and external audit requirements.
• Experience of reviewing and authorising grant claims and statutory returns.

Related Documents

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/ Selection Criteria