Senior Finance Officer

**Job Introduction**:
**Senior Finance Officer - Corporate and Strategic Finance**

** Bradford Finance Team**

Bradford Finance is undergoing significant change and investment. Having been under resourced for a number of years it is now entering a new phase of development and strategic focus in order to support the Council’s ambitious new corporate strategy and plans.

A restructure has recently completed with the department now comprising four key teams: Management Accounting; Corporate and Strategic Finance; Projects, Systems and Commercial; and Internal Audit, Risk, Business Development and Improvement. The restructure includes significant additional capacity and investment in training and development.

A new service plan is being developed during 2025 with a clear strategic focus and direction including a development plan to focus on delivering financial literacy across the organisation, while at the same time, elevating the impact of the Finance team within the organisation to support and drive the Council’s strategic plans whilst delivering its financial sustainability and recovery programme.

The team has recently been highly instrumental in the last 12 months in helping the Council secure:

- the lifting of the Best Value Notice put in place in February 2024 by February 2025, an unprecedented achievement
- a very positive review by CIPFA about progress being made in Bradford to become financially sustainable. CIPFA cites progress being made in several key areas, including the addressing of risks identified in the previous review of 2023. They also report that financial planning in Bradford is robust, savings proposals are well considered and are being delivered, even where choices are difficult.
- completion of the 2025/26 budget much earlier than previously.
- closure and audit sign off of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 accounts in the last 4 months, both with an unqualified opinion.
- a very positive half year report by the Council’s Independent Board

The **Senior Finance Officer**role is at the heart of the Finance team and essential to the delivery of the Council’s plans and future financial sustainability. You will work across our corporate and strategic finance team working with departments and service areas to provide a best-in-class finance service. You will work with our finance managers and strategic finance managers to implement the future development of the service thus enabling the council to meet its future challenges whilst fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This role is an opportunity to make a real difference in our vibrant and diverse city.

We are looking for a number of **Senior Finance Officers** to join our dedicated team in the Finance Department. You will work closely with officers and senior leaders in the Corporate and Strategic Finance Team on specific areas such as financial planning, treasury management, cash and banking, capital or financial reporting, grants and statutory returns.

The main responsibilities of this role are:

- To undertake service analysis to support the year-end position and the Accounts.
- To research and maintain specialised knowledge in various financial disciplines to provide expert advice to and on behalf of the Council.
- To ensure that all cashbook, budgeting and year end accounting procedures are complied with including the operation of financial policies and controls, Financial Regulations and Standing Orders.
- To prepare, analyse and interpret financial and other service performance information to influence and enable managers to make the correct operational decisions. Ensure the Council’s income and expenditure is correctly accounted for in line with legislative requirements and Council policies and procedures.
- To represent the Finance Manager on internal working groups and project teams.
- To organise, deliver and participate in training events to improve the skills, knowledge and understanding of financial and non-financial managers.
- To undertake more complex financial activities within the Accountancy function including working on corporate projects, government and other returns and multi-disciplinary working parties.
- To undertake supervision of finance officers and apprentices as and when required.
- To promote continuous improvement by maintaining knowledge of relevant guidance, ensuring quality and consistency of financial information and promoting governance and risk management awareness and the maximising of resources to improve value for money.
- To support the professional accounting team in the provision of financial and management advice and information to a range of Council services, particularly in relation to Financial Statements, Financial Planning, Capital, Treasury Management and taxation.
- To positively support and deliver the vision, values and strategic objectives of the Council’s services through providing constructive and timely advice on financial matters identifying innovative solutions as appropriat