Financial Controller

The Financial Controller will lead the delivery of a high-performing, customer-focused service by deputising for the Head of Finance and providing comprehensive financial advice to all levels of management and Members within a specific functional area

The Financial Controller is a pivotal role in leading a team of finance professionals to ensure that robust financial reporting and system controls are in place to underpin sound financial management and meaningful performance information, to inform effectivelong-term decision-making and protect the organisation.

The Financial Controller will be a key and active member of senior management forums and develop a high-performing, motivated team, understanding customer needs and providing a greatly valued service

The Financial Controller will work in collaboration with finance, external partners, and executive and political leadership and will require significant engagement skills and abilities to influence others’ thinking and direction to achieve the best valuefor money outcomes across the council aligned to strategic aims and objectives

Service/Functional Accountabilities
- Responsible for the provision, across one or more function and Member portfolios of effective, timely and accurate financial performance information on a regular and consistent basis across the financial cycle to enable the achievement of underlying businessobjectives. Provide expert advice on interpreting the information, risks, and forecasts.
- Lead, manage and motivate a team of finance professionals ensuring exemplary standards in the provision of management reporting, risk identification and associated remedial action.
- Accountable for improving financial awareness and capability within the business to promote a culture empowering budget holders and supporting delivery of value for money services in line with financial regulations and professional accounting standards.
- Responsible for the delivery of the closure of accounts process for the functional area in compliance with all relevant standards, codes, and regulations. This will necessitate active engagement with key stakeholders to secure cooperation and support tomeet relevant timescales and requirements.
- Responsible for providing expert advice on the interpretation of financial information and associated assessment of financial risk to drive the development and implementation of functional financial recovery and medium-term sustainability plans where necessary.
- Work collaboratively across the service in supporting projects to develop sound business cases ensuring a robust rationale for initiatives and influencing senior managers in assessing the credibility of such business cases.
- Deputise for the Head of Finance in developing strategic business planning for internal-facing services and integrated partnership arrangements.
- Work collaboratively across Finance to assess the impact of change on both processes and systems.
- Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring
- Professional qualification in accountancy i.e. CCAB or CIMA with a minimum of 2 years Post Qualification Experience.
- Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in the relevant professional areas.
- Experience in working with senior personnel Directors and other key stakeholders
- Experience in supporting business management teams
- Knowledge and understanding of providing financial advice in a public sector setting
- Experience in supporting significant financial recovery plans
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in managing others in a complex financial environment