Assistant Finance Manager Agency (Financial)

Assistant Finance Manager Agency

Hours per week: 37

Contract: Initial 3 months

Hybrid working, 2 days in office in office per week and would need to go on school visits (Maintained school sites, travel to one school site a week possibly more.)

Required to have access to your own vehicle with full driving license

What are the top three criteria you need for this role?

• Schools Finance experience
• Qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA)
• Experience report writing and presenting information using powerBI

Main duties

• To effectively support a finance team, including line management of accountants, that undertakes financial planning, budgetary control, accountancy advice, financial administration and training of budget managers
• To support key accounting functions including but not exclusively to, budget build, budget monitoring and final accounts closedown. To liaise with other stakeholders, and report to the Finance Business Partner
• To deputise for the Finance Business Partner as required
• To provide expert advice and support to Finance colleagues, to other managers within the organisation and to elected members
• To effectively support a finance teams, ensuring delivery of the relevant strategic and service objectives set out in the annual service plan and ensuring strong and effective resource management within the team.

Strategic Finance Leadership

• Maintaining expert level knowledge of local authority legislation and guidance
• Leading the preparation, maintenance and continuous review of long term and short term budget and forecast models for the relevant service area, ensuring alignment with the Medium-Term Financial Strategy
• Continuously reviewing opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the team, including delivery of continuous improvement and best value. Ensure practices remain compliant and fit for purpose

Financial Planning, Reporting & Insight

• Leading engagement with budget managers, service directors and stakeholders, critically providing advice and ensuring value for money and policy compliance. Communicating and presenting complex financial information clearly to non financial audiences, including senior officers and elected Members
• Overseeing daily operations including monitoring budgets, forecasting, surpluses and deficits
• Leading preparation of high-quality papers and reports for relevant committees, ensuring alignment with financial reporting and statutory requirements.
• Supporting delivery of financial management training for stakeholders to maintain informed decision making

Financial Accounting, Controls & Governance

• Maintaining oversight of accounting treatment, reconciliations and disclosures within the Statement of Accounts and government returns.
• Monitoring compliance, investigating variances, and escalating risks or potential breaches through appropriate governance channels.
• Making sound, timely financial decisions under pressure, drawing on technical knowledge and professional judgement

Technical Expertise & Systems

• Experience using financial management systems and complex financial models