Lead Accountant

Coventry City Council; Coventry; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Coventry is seeking a fully qualified Chartered Accountant to join their finance team. The ideal candidate will provide strategic financial support, collaborating with various stakeholders to drive effective financial planning and management. Candidates must have experience in a challenging financial environment and the ability to develop complex financial models. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to significant projects that drive the city's transformational ambitions and enhance community services.

Benefits

Fantastic rewards and benefits package

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a challenging financial environment.
• Ability to work strategically with various stakeholders.
• Expert knowledge in financial analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Act as a primary financial link with service leads.
• Provide strategic financial support for projects.
• Conduct investment appraisals for financial viability.

Skills

Strategic financial planning

Stakeholder engagement

Complex financial modeling

Time management under pressure

Education

Fully qualified Chartered Accountant (CCAB or CIMA)

Job description

Act as a primary financial business link with service leads and provide strategic financial support and advice to enable effective financial planning and management. You will collaborate with project teams and the wider Council to explore challenges and identify opportunities, create initiatives that will financially benefit the Council and become a proactive and supportive financial advisor.

Support the strategic vision of the One Coventry Plan, through reviewing new proposals and undertaking formal investment appraisals to assess the financial viability of future projects and initiatives.

Contribute to the financial management and provision of advice to large projects from both a capital and revenue perspective to support the city's transformational ambitions.

In addition, you will provide expert financial guidance for several strategic initiatives and programme boards.

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

Introduction

Are you passionate about public service? Coventry is forward thinking and a community focused City, and we are looking for an experienced finance professional with the technical skills and enthusiasm to take a lead role in our Finance team.

Professional Profile

We are looking for a fully qualified Chartered Accountant (CCAB or CIMA) with experience of working in a challenging financial environment who can:

• Work strategically with various stakeholders including directors, service managers, auditors, and external partners to build, maintain and promote effective working relationships.
• Work effectively under pressure including meeting unpredictable deadlines and dealing with conflicting demands.
• Develop and interpret complex financial models to inform financial analysis and subsequently present a compelling rationale for the recommended options in the form of reports and presentations.
• Promote value for money and efficiency throughout all areas of the Council's operation and look for commercial opportunities and innovation both in the operation of the finance function and in the activities of relevant service areas / projects.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the Team

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, accepting of all and free from discrimination and bias. We are a dynamic Financial Management Team responsible for providing a diverse range of functions to drive the Council to fulfil its transformational journey. We deliver the full range of financial management and accounting services to facilitate effective delivery of services and support the people of Coventry, and deliver projects which are redefining the infrastructure of the city. Working flexibly with internal officers and external partners we aim to ensure finance is at the heart of everything that the Council does. The organisation has a high expectation of our service, and we will continue to support and develop our staff to have the skills to deliver a quality service.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package – to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Individuals currently in care or who have previously been in care
• Individuals who consider themselves disabled or have a long‑term health condition