Head of Finance (Public Sector)

BTA; Belfast; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well known Public Sector body in Belfast is seeking a Head of Finance. The successful candidate will oversee financial operations, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations while providing strategic financial advice. Responsibilities include managing budgets, preparing financial reports, and supervising finance staff. Candidates should have a professional accountancy qualification and significant experience in the financial management sector.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in financial management, ideally in the public or not-for-profit sector.
• Strong knowledge of financial regulations, accounting standards, and public sector finance.
• Experience managing or mentoring teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
• Oversee budgeting and quarterly forecasts, advising on variances.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, external regulations, and audit requirements.
• Provide financial advice to senior management and liaise with auditors.
• Supervise and mentor junior finance staff.
• Contribute to long-term financial planning and risk assessments.

Skills

Financial management

Communication skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)

Job description

Job Description

Head of Finance (Public Sector)

VANRATH are delighted to be recruiting for a Qualified Accountant to join a well known Public Sector body in Belfast City Centre. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will oversee all financial operations, ensuring compliance with public sector regulations, and providing strategic financial advice. This role involves preparing financial reports, managing budgets, and implementing financial controls to support the organisation's objectives.

This role requires someone who can start quickly in order to facilitate handovers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Reporting: Lead preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports; ensure timely and accurate financial statements.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Oversee budgeting and quarterly forecasts, advising on variances and corrective actions.
• Financial Controls & Governance: Ensure compliance with internal policies, external regulations, and audit requirements.
• Stakeholder Management: Provide financial advice to senior management and liaise with auditors and stakeholders.
• Team Leadership: Supervise and mentor junior finance staff, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing.
• Strategic Planning: Contribute to long-term financial planning and assist in risk assessments and business planning.

Essential Criteria:

• Professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
• Significant experience in financial management, ideally in the public or not-for-profit sector.
• Strong knowledge of financial regulations, accounting standards, and public sector finance.
• Excellent communication skills with experience presenting financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
• Experience managing or mentoring teams.

For further information on this vacancy, or any other public sector finance vacancy in Northern Ireland, please apply via the link provided or contact Robbie Lemon in the strictrest confidence.