Job introduction Would you strive to work in a challenging and varied role including analysing and interpreting complex financial data? Do you have a passion for supporting managers who deliver front line services in the public sector? Are you keen to write and presenti financial reports in an accessible manner for non-finance staff? We are seeking two full time Principal Accountants to provide financial business partner support and advisory services to the Housing, Care and Wellbeing directorate. Job introduction You will be joining a diverse, friendly, and professional team. The finance service at Brighton and Hove City Council is performing well and has strong customer satisfaction results. It is operating in an environment of increasing financial complexity and increasing demands for higher level advice. Strategic business partner support is essential to the Housing, Care and Wellbeing directorate and the corporate centre. Interview date: 9th January 2025 For an informal discussion, please contact Nigel Manvell – Chief Finance Officer 07717 315606 About the role These roles support a directorates that covers the largest service in the council, Adult Social Care, as well as Public Health and Housing. This covers annual revenue budgets of over £300 million and capital investment budgets of around £100 million. The role is an opportunity to enhance your -skills through working across diverse services, including leading the separate budget setting process for the ring-fenced and self-financing Housing Revenue Account. You will manage a team from all diverse backgrounds in providing finance support to the Housing, Care and Wellbeing directorate, supporting services to deliver their budget strategy and assist us in improving financial performance, value for money and service outcomes. You will lead on budget setting and forecasting for demand led services, looking at demographic and unit cost trends. Why us? You will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic team where diversity is valued. You will be able to work flexibly, including some working from home. The team is supportive, friendly, and sociable. We value our staff and are committed to building and maintaining a fair, inclusive and supportive culture. In return you will be offered: 26 days paid annual leave ( bank holidays) excellent pension options a flexible workplace where we accommodate a wide range of working patterns and are keen to help staff maintain a healthy work-life balance a friendly service working with people from all diverse backgrounds reflecting the city we serve a service that is inclusive and supports and develops its staff in a wide range of training and development opportunities. Many of our current managers came through apprenticeships or entry level positions. workplace adjustments for candidates needing additional support a wide range of welfare and wellbeing resources including staff discount schemes and staff networks such as: the BME Workers’ Forum, LGBT Workers’ Forum and Women Workers’ Forum, the Disabled Workers’ and Carers Network Please read our Apply for a job at the council (brighton-hove.gov.uk) pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview. As part of your application, you will need to complete your education and work history and upload a supporting statement. Your supporting statement is the most important part of your application as it will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here ( Supporting statement guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process. Additional information Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only. Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check. We are a workplace that supports flexibility and employee wellbeing in the way we work whilst providing the best service for our customers. Team and service working arrangements are designed to support both employee work life balance and team collaboration. These would be part of your individual working arrangements alongside any personal preference agreed with your manager in advance of joining. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team and travel to and from your contractual location would be at your own expense. For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us (brighton-hove.gov.uk) Company information Encouraging a diverse workforce Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans. Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our How we create a fair and inclusive workplace .