Strategic Finance Lead (Technical)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Wollaton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Professional development

Hybrid working

Job summary

Lincolnshire County Council is seeking a senior finance professional to lead the Technical Finance function as part of the Financial Services Leadership Team. The post-holder will oversee statutory accounts close, external audit relationships, and treasury and capital accounting, while guiding a large finance team.

The role requires CIPFA or equivalent and extensive local government technical accounting experience, with a focus on governance and sustainable knowledge transfer.

Qualifications

• CIPFA qualification or equivalent accountancy qualification.
• Significant local government technical accounting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the closure of the Council's accounts and preparation of the Statement of Accounts.
• Lead and develop a large professional finance team.
• Provide expert advice on local authority accounting, financial governance and technical finance issues.
• Maintain strong relationships with external audit and other key stakeholders.
• Support treasury management, capital accounting and other specialist technical activities.
• Strengthen organisational resilience and reduce reliance on individuals' specialist knowledge.
• Improve consistency, governance and control across technical accounting activities.
• Shape the future direction of Technical Finance and develop the next generation of finance professionals.
• Contribute as an active member of the Finance Leadership Team.

Skills

Technical accounting

Financial governance

Clear communication

Education

CIPFA or equivalent

Job description

This permanent role leads the Technical Finance function at Lincolnshire County Council and sits on its Financial Services Leadership Team. The post-holder oversees the statutory accounts close, external audit relationships, technical accounting advice and treasury and capital accounting, while leading a large professional finance team. It is distinct for its remit to strengthen governance and reduce reliance on individuals' specialist knowledge, not only statutory accounts work. CIPFA qualification or equivalent and significant local government technical accounting experience are essential.

What the job involves

• Lead the closure of the Council's accounts and preparation of the Statement of Accounts
• Lead and develop a large professional finance team
• Provide expert advice on local authority accounting, financial governance and technical finance issues
• Maintain strong relationships with external audit and other key stakeholders
• Support treasury management, capital accounting and other specialist technical activities
• Strengthen organisational resilience and reduce reliance on individuals' specialist knowledge
• Improve consistency, governance and control across technical accounting activities
• Shape the future direction of Technical Finance and develop the next generation of finance professionals
• Contribute as an active member of the Finance Leadership Team

What’s required

Qualifications

• CIPFA qualification or equivalent accountancy qualification

Experience

• Significant experience in local government technical finance, financial accounting and statutory reporting
• Experience of working with external audit
• Credible leadership experience within a professional finance environment
• Track record of developing people, improving services and building effective working relationships

Skills & knowledge

• Strong technical accounting and financial governance knowledge
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly and confidently
• Confidence to provide constructive challenge while maintaining a collaborative approach

What’s offered

• Rewarding package supporting work-life balance, health and wellbeing, financial security and career growth
• Commitment to professional development and continuous improvement
• Hybrid working with nominated contractual work base and good remote technology and equipment