As the Senior Financial Planning and Analysis Accountant, you will play a key role in providing insights to help drive financial decision-making and support the overall financial sustainability of the Council. This role develops and manages: the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS); evidenced-based forecasting; financial variance and risk analysis; setting a legal balanced budget; and the financial reporting processes.
Key duties & responsibilities include:
1. Lead by example to ensure Finance is consistently consulted on decisions and wider service performance impacting budgets, promoting financial standards and best practices across the Council to ensure a financially compliant and well-run organisation.
2. Lead on financial planning, analysis, reporting and recommendations to safeguard the Council’s financial health including the medium-term financial planning.
3. Support decision making by evaluating risks, mitigation, opportunities and savings initiatives.
4. Complete various Government returns on time.
5. Prepare reports to members, briefing notes and publications on the Council's financial plans, changes in Government funding, budget monitoring, and present reports at meetings, where necessary.
6. Provide support in relation to the setting of Council Tax and setting of robust fees and charges.
We currently offer a hybrid working arrangement where you are required to work at least 3 days in the Borough, one of which must be a Monday or Friday.
About you
To succeed in this role, you will be a fully qualified CCAB accountant actively maintaining continuing professional development and is an active member of the accountancy body. You will have at least 3 years accounting experience including 1 year post qualification, and sound practical knowledge of local government finance frameworks.
Your skills will include the ability to assess the financial impact of various scenarios such as funding and economic changes, as well as strong financial modelling and analytical skills with the ability to interpret and apply complex data. You will have practical experience in:
1. Medium term financial planning;
2. Local Government funding;
3. Communicating complex financial information in concise and meaningful reports tailored to non-finance stakeholders including presenting financial findings and strategic recommendations to senior management and Members;
4. Identifying inefficiencies and proposing solutions to improve processes and financial systems through effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.
Flexibility will be one of your key traits coupled with adapting to dynamic business conditions, handling unexpected challenges and being resilient to manage conflicting and competing priorities. Proficiency to use Microsoft Excel and other standard office IT systems such as Word and PowerPoint, and experience of using corporate financial management systems is fundamental.
About us
Our Vision: ONE BOROUGH; ONE COMMUNITY; NO-ONE LEFT. Barking and Dagenham is not just any borough—it's a vibrant, culturally diverse community, and one of the fastest-growing areas in London. As the borough continues to evolve, we are committed to making it a place where people are proud to live, work, study, and stay. With rapid population growth and transformative change happening around us, there’s no better time to further your career in a place where you can truly make a difference. Our Finance team is at the heart of this transformation. We are expanding to ensure that finance is central to decision-making, helping the Council achieve financial sustainability and adapt to the challenges faced by local government. By joining us, you’ll be part of a proactive, innovative team that collaborates closely with key stakeholders to drive positive change across the borough. We offer a dynamic, fulfilling career path that promises diversity, excitement, and the opportunity to make a real impact.
Ref
FINC00238
Division
Finance
Contract Type
Permanent
Section
Finance
Salary min
£67,812
Salary max
£73,647
Interview date (Week Commencing)
07/04/2025
Closing date
30/03/2025
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