One of my local government clients are currently recruiting an experienced Finance Business Partner on a temporary basis. This is a 3-month minimum contract with the possibility of the role being extended further to work Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Hybrid working role were, however, you will be required to attend the office 2/3 times a week.
Overview:
* To be responsible for implementing the business partnering function for the specified service area. The role is pivotal in providing strategic support in all aspects of financial advice for the service across the Council. They will act as a partner with the service leadership teams to develop, constructively challenge and support service plans and project delivery and take responsibility for managing and reporting on operational performance for the business partnering team.
* Assess situations from a commercial, business or finance perspective; provide appropriate financial advice to support complex business decisions
* Business Partners will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure best use of limited financial resources, providing the strategic financial insight, intelligence and support needed
* Respond to government and professional consultations, implementation of best practice models and any other such requirement
* The post-holder’s primary activity is to provide an effective Business Partnering function to the council and to
* contribute to the development of the policies, activities and service improvements required to deliver the function.
* Business Partners will work to ensure that finance staff deliver to customers in an efficient manner, within a professional business framework. The post holder will have a body of theoretical and practical knowledge
* Provide advice and support which demonstrates depth of knowledge, expertise and customer focus and be responsible for the provision of revenue monitoring, capital monitoring, budget setting (revenue and capital), MTFS setting, closure of accounts
* The post will support the council’s leadership at all levels and develop a strategic and workable response to the financial challenges the council faces in relation to the Services they are supporting
Responsibilities:
* To proactively lead the financial advice and support to the defined service area particularly with reference to revenue and capital monitoring including delivering savings, and the budget setting and closure of accounts processes.
* To ensure that financial information is relevant and balanced and is received by decision-takers at the appropriate level.
* To ensure that financial data analytics are used where appropriate to better inform budget monitoring and longer term financial planning.
* To work with services to ensure the accuracy of information input to systems and proper responses to system outputs.
* To regularly spend time in the designated service to become an integral part of the management team within the service area and to develop and maintain a detailed understanding of the service area being supported
* Ensure managers within the service areas supported receive the financial management training required to be effective in their roles and are aware of Financial Regulations (in particular the responsibilities of the Director and budget holders/managers) and requirements for obtaining the necessary approval prior to taking decisions
* Continually review, update and report on quantified financial risks and opportunities in the delivery unit or commissioning area supported, advising how the risks can be mitigated and the opportunities exploited