Senior Financial Analyst in Cardiff

Housing is a priority area for Welsh Government.

The regulation team carry out the regulation function on behalf of the Welsh Ministers with the main purpose to protect tenants and significant public investment in the housing association sector in Wales. Effective regulation also ensures the sector remains attractive to private investors whose funding supplements grant for the development of new social housing in Wales.

Senior Financial Analysts have responsibility for financial viability aspects of the regulation of a portfolio of Housing Associations in a dynamic and challenging operating environment. They undertake regular financial appraisals and assessments of each association to ensure they are financially viable and complying with the relevant statutory regulatory standards.

The role requires the ability to develop effective working relationships with Boards, Chief Executives, senior finance staff and others, obtaining assurance and oversight of financial performance of the association. The role requires the analysis of complex information and the ability to manage difficult conversations in relation to poor performance and improvement expectations either individually, or as part of a team.

Senior Financial Analyst currently report to the Head of Regulation.

Key tasks

What the organisation will expect:

• You will be responsible for managing defined areas of work using your specialist knowledge or experience to exercise sound judgement when interpreting complex or conflicting information weighing up all evidence to produce innovative solutions to problems.
• You will be adaptable, flexible, open to, and accepting of change affecting you and your area of work and deal with that change efficiently and professionally.
• You will show political awareness and an understanding of the political landscape when considering the impact of your decision and work on the wider business area and when formulating proposals for Senior Managers and Ministers.

What your team will expect:

• You may be required to manage a team setting clear direction on achieving their objectives.
• You will support team members in their work such as complex areas of work; work allocation and prioritisation; performance management; training and development; mentoring and coaching.
• You will value diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where individuals feel safe to challenge, share ideas and express concerns adopting an inclusive leadership style.
• You will be responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining systems or processes ensuring excellence or value for money.

What key stakeholders will expect:

• You will take the lead in creating, building and maintaining constructive relationships at all levels.
• You will be able to tailor and adapt your communication style (written and oral) to advise, guide, influence and persuade internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.

Main Responsibilities:

• Reviewing the financial viability of portfolio of associations through analysis of management accounts, business plans and other related financial statements and information including regular contact with key finance staff at the associations.
• Provide financial expertise to deal with more complex associations and leading on measures to address issues of financial underperformance quickly and effectively in partnership with regulation team colleagues.
• Lead on the monitoring and assessment of innovative business or financing scheme pursued by associations and to input into assessment of new financial models and initiatives, providing advice to colleagues on the likely impact on housing association viability.
• Advise on key financial risks affecting the sector and assess the adequacy of associations responses to those risks.
• Contribute to the development of the assessment model for financial viability and ensuring it is fit for purpose.
• Analysis and presentation of complex finance and other data into formats which are simple to understand.
• Play a lead role in external stakeholder engagement relating to Housing Association finance, including attending various forums and meetings.
• Identify and disseminate good practice within the sector.

Development opportunities

The role will provide the opportunity to play a lead role in the regulation of registered social landlords in Wales, developing knowledge of housing association business and stakeholder relationships. It also presents opportunities to develop core civil service skills and to work with senior managers, other Regulators both within Wales and across the UK and to advise Ministers.

Other vacancy related information

• The role involves working at other organisations offices and out of normal office working hours, including evenings, will be required from time to time.
• Applicants must hold a recognised accountancy qualification (CCAB or CIMA) or be studying at final qualification stage – allowance will be adjusted.
• A presentation on Making effective decisions will be required at stage 2. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.