Interim Group Accountant- High Needs Block
5 days ago
Ilford
Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom Job Purpose To provide strategic financial leadership and expert advice for the High Needs Block within the Education & Inclusion Directorate, ensuring effective financial management, robust planning, and sustainable delivery of SEND services. The role will support service transformation, improve financial performance, and provide high-quality financial insight to senior leaders and stakeholders. • Lead the provision of high-quality financial management and strategic advice across Education, Inclusion, and SEND services., • Act as the principal finance lead for High Needs Block funding, expenditure, and financial sustainability., • Deliver budget monitoring, forecasting, financial modelling, and performance reporting., • Provide expert financial advice to senior managers, directors, Members, and external partners., • Support transformation programmes through business cases, options appraisals, and financial analysis., • Identify financial risks, develop mitigation strategies, and support the delivery of recovery plans where required., • Advise on funding opportunities, policy changes, and their financial implications., • Contribute to statutory accounts, financial returns, external audit requirements, and local authority financial processes., • Develop financial systems, processes, and reporting mechanisms to improve transparency and control., • Support budget holders in achieving value for money and long-term financial sustainability., • Manage, motivate, and develop the SEND Finance Team, including up to four direct reports., • Represent the Council at regional and national forums, contributing to wider sector discussions and best practice., • CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant, or significant equivalent senior-level finance experience., • Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD)., • Significant experience of financial management within a large and complex organisation., • Strong experience in financial modelling, forecasting, and strategic financial planning., • Knowledge and experience of local authority finance, statutory accounting, and financial reporting requirements., • Experience supporting local authority closedown and Statement of Accounts processes., • Experience of managing and developing professional finance teams., • Proven ability to influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders., • Experience delivering projects and outcomes across multidisciplinary teams., • Understanding of public sector commercialisation and associated financial risks., • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills., • Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance audiences., • Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under challenging deadlines., • Location: Lynton House, Ilford (Hybrid working – minimum 1 - 2 days per week in Redbridge office) #J-18808-Ljbffr