Interim Group Accountant- High Needs Block
5 days ago
Ilford
\n Interim Group Accountant- High Needs Block\n Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom Job Description 3 Month Contract With A Local Authority\n Job Purpose \n 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. Key Responsibilities\n \n • Lead the provision of high-quality financial management and strategic advice across Education, Inclusion, and SEND services.\n, • Act as the principal finance lead for High Needs Block funding, expenditure, and financial sustainability.\n, • Deliver budget monitoring, forecasting, financial modelling, and performance reporting.\n, • Provide expert financial advice to senior managers, directors, Members, and external partners.\n, • Support transformation programmes through business cases, options appraisals, and financial analysis.\n, • Identify financial risks, develop mitigation strategies, and support the delivery of recovery plans where required.\n, • Advise on funding opportunities, policy changes, and their financial implications.\n, • Contribute to statutory accounts, financial returns, external audit requirements, and local authority financial processes.\n, • Develop financial systems, processes, and reporting mechanisms to improve transparency and control.\n, • Support budget holders in achieving value for money and long-term financial sustainability.\n, • Manage, motivate, and develop the SEND Finance Team, including up to four direct reports.\n, • Represent the Council at regional and national forums, contributing to wider sector discussions and best practice.\n Requirements\n \n, • CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant, or significant equivalent senior-level finance experience.\n, • Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).\n, • Significant experience of financial management within a large and complex organisation.\n, • Strong experience in financial modelling, forecasting, and strategic financial planning.\n, • Knowledge and experience of local authority finance, statutory accounting, and financial reporting requirements.\n, • Experience supporting local authority closedown and Statement of Accounts processes.\n, • Experience of managing and developing professional finance teams.\n, • Proven ability to influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders.\n, • Experience delivering projects and outcomes across multidisciplinary teams.\n, • Understanding of public sector commercialisation and associated financial risks.\n, • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills.\n, • Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance audiences.\n, • Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under challenging deadlines.\n Additional Information\n \n, • Location: Lynton House, Ilford (Hybrid working – minimum 1 - 2 days per week in Redbridge office)\n \n #J-18808-Ljbffr