Principle Finance Officer

Confidential; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Aatom Recruitment is assisting a Local Authority in London to appoint a Principle Finance Officer on a 4-month contract. The role is 36 hours per week, with a pattern of 2 days in the office and 3 days home working.

You will lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, providing advisory support to managers while ensuring statutory compliance and robust financial governance. This role requires strong partnership with services and external bodies.

Qualifications

• Provide high quality financial advice, guidance and support to managers and budget holders to assist effective service delivery and financial decision-making.
• Support the preparation and delivery of annual revenue and capital budgets, medium-term financial plans and financial forecasts.
• Produce and analyse financial management information, identifying trends, risks and opportunities and making appropriate recommendations.
• Support the Council's financial accounting and reporting processes, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, CIPFA guidance and corporate financial procedures.
• Contribute to the preparation and closure of the annual accounts and supporting working papers.
• Assist in the completion of statutory returns and submissions to government departments and other external bodies.
• Promote effective financial management and budgetary control across service areas.
• Support the maintenance and development of robust financial systems, processes and internal controls.
• Assist with the implementation of improvements to financial processes, policies and procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Build effective working relationships with stakeholders across the organisation and external partners.
• Support financial governance and risk management arrangements to ensure sound stewardship of public resources.
• Contribute to project work, service reviews and corporate initiatives as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality financial advice, guidance and support to managers and budget holders to assist effective service delivery and financial decision-making.
• Support the preparation and delivery of annual revenue and capital budgets, medium-term financial plans and financial forecasts.
• Produce budget monitoring reports, forecasts and other management information, ensuring accuracy, quality and timeliness.
• Liaise with service managers, budget holders and other stakeholders to support financial planning and decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with external and internal audit and respond to audit enquiries as required.
• Maintain accurate accounting records and ensure compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards and corporate procedures.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Stakeholder engagement

Business partnering

Education

AAT Qualified or equivalent

Job description

Aatom Recruitment is looking for Principle Finance Officer on behalf of a Local Authority.

Job Title: Principle Finance Officer

Contract Duration: 4 Months
Hours Per Week: 36

Work Pattern: 2 days in office, 3 days home working.

Job Purpose

• To provide business-focused financial management, accounting and advisory support services to the Council and assigned service areas.
• The Principal Finance Officer will support the delivery of financial planning, budget setting, budget monitoring, forecasting, financial reporting and the annual statement of accounts process. The post holder will apply technical accounting knowledge, financial systems expertise and an understanding of local government finance to support effective decision-making and ensure compliance with corporate policies, statutory requirements and professional standards.
• The post holder will contribute to the provision of a comprehensive financial management service and be committed to a scheme of job rotation as required.

Main Responsibilities / Accountabilities / KRA

• Provide high quality financial advice, guidance and support to managers and budget holders to assist effective service delivery and financial decision-making.
• Support the preparation and delivery of annual revenue and capital budgets, medium-term financial plans and financial forecasts.
• Produce and analyse financial management information, identifying trends, risks and opportunities and making appropriate recommendations.
• Support the Council's financial accounting and reporting processes, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, CIPFA guidance and corporate financial procedures.
• Contribute to the preparation and closure of the annual accounts and supporting working papers.
• Assist in the completion of statutory returns and submissions to government departments and other external bodies.
• Promote effective financial management and budgetary control across service areas.
• Support the maintenance and development of robust financial systems, processes and internal controls.
• Assist with the implementation of improvements to financial processes, policies and procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Build effective working relationships with stakeholders across the organisation and external partners.
• Support financial governance and risk management arrangements to ensure sound stewardship of public resources.
• Contribute to project work, service reviews and corporate initiatives as required.

Job Activities

• Support the provision of customer-focused accountancy and financial management services in accordance with the Council's business partnering model.
• Assist with the preparation, management and monitoring of revenue and capital budgets.
• Prepare budget monitoring reports, forecasts and other management information, ensuring accuracy, quality and timeliness.
• Investigate financial issues, variances and reconciliation matters and implement corrective action where appropriate.
• Support the annual budget-setting process and medium-term financial planning activities.
• Assist in the preparation of the Council's statement of accounts and associated working papers.
• Complete statutory, regulatory and other financial returns in accordance with required deadlines and standards.
• Liaise with service managers, budget holders and other stakeholders to support financial planning and decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with external and internal audit and respond to audit enquiries as required.
• Maintain accurate accounting records and ensure compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards and corporate procedures.

Indicative Qualification

AAT Qualified or equivalent relevant work experience and training.