Head of Finance

CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD; Greater London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Greater London is seeking a Head of Finance to lead and manage its finance team. This role demands a fully qualified accountant with significant experience in local government finance, focusing on providing strategic financial leadership and advice. Responsibilities include overseeing budget management, financial reporting, and compliance with financial regulations. The successful candidate will shape financial strategies aligned with the Council's goals and drive service improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in local government finance.
• Proven experience of preparing annual budgets and monitoring reports for a local authority.
• Strong communication and leadership proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a finance team within the Service Finance function.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with Financial Regulations and best practices.

Skills

Local government finance expertise

Budget preparation and monitoring

Leadership and management

Communication and negotiation skills

Leading change in large organisations

Education

Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA)

Job description

3 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Summary

• The Head of Finance will lead and manage a finance team within the Service Finance and Business Partnering Division, providing strategic financial leadership, advice, and direction across a major council directorate.
• The role is responsible for delivering high-quality financial management, including budget setting, budget monitoring, forecasting, year-end closure, and long-term financial planning aligned to the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).
• The postholder will act as a senior business partner, supporting service transformation, shaping strategic decision-making, and ensuring compliance with Financial Regulations.
• They will also drive financial improvement initiatives, lead demand‑led financial modelling, and ensure robust financial governance across all directorate services.

Key Duties / Accountabilities (Sample)

• Lead, manage, and develop a professional finance team within the Service Finance & Business Partnering function.
• Provide strategic financial advice to directors, Heads of Service, and senior stakeholders, ensuring budgets, forecasts, and financial plans are robust and aligned to the MTFS.
• Lead directorate budget setting, identification of savings, and financial strategies to address cost pressures.
• Manage in‑year budget monitoring, forecasting, variance analysis, and regular reporting.
• Oversee the closure of directorate accounts and contribute to the statutory accounts and external audit process.
• Support service transformation and business‑led change projects with high‑quality, timely financial information.
• Lead financial modelling of demand‑led services and use trend analysis to inform strategic decisions.
• Ensure compliance with Financial Regulations, Financial Standing Orders, and corporate finance policies.
• Promote a self‑service approach to financial management while providing specialist support through the business partnering model.
• Deliver financial training to managers, budget holders, and senior leadership to improve financial capability.
• Build effective internal and external relationships with senior officers, elected Members, partner agencies, and professional bodies (e.g., CIPFA).
• Contribute to Council‑wide corporate initiatives, cross‑departmental projects, organisational development, and business continuity planning.
• Drive continual improvement, process optimisation, and changes required under the Finance Modernisation Programme.
• Lead internal service reviews to improve value for money and support efficiency programmes.
• Represent the Finance Directorate professionally and support the Corporate Director of Finance in delivering the Council’s strategic financial objectives.

Skills / Experience

• Significant post‑qualification experience in local government finance.
• Proven experience of preparing annual budgets, monitoring reports, and final accounts for a local authority.
• Strong senior‑level management experience, with direct leadership of professional and managerial staff.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and deliver strategies, policies, and programmes across service areas.
• Strong communication, influencing, and negotiation skills with the ability to present complex financial information clearly.
• Experience in leading and managing change across large, multidisciplinary organisations.
• Proven involvement in service improvement and major transformation programmes.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Additional Information

• Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA).
• Hours : 36 hours per week.
• Working Pattern : 09 : 00 – 17 : 00.