At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategies and provide expert advice to senior management in housing.
- Company: Join the vibrant London Borough of Waltham Forest, a hub of culture and opportunity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive workplace, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community financial sustainability and strategic decision-making.
- Qualifications: CCAB Qualified Accountant with experience in Housing General Fund and HRA Accounting.
The predicted salary is between 79119 - 85677 £ per year.
Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Salary: PO12 £79,119-£85,677
Contract Type: Full-time Permanent
Working hours per week: 36
Application Deadline: 10/06/2026
Proposed Interview Date(s): TBC
Reference: 2161
About Us:
Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents.
London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment.
About the role:
We are recruiting to the Head of Finance Business Partnering Housing role, which covers the Housing General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Heads of Finance Business Partners act as trusted advisors and critical friends for Directorate Senior management and service users, including budget holders. They add value to the delivery of sound financial management and organisational decision-making. The post holder will be required to provide expert financial advice to senior management and elected members to inform strategic decision-making and ensure alignment with the organisation’s long-term financial goals; and develop, implement, and monitor financial strategies that support the organisation’s objectives and enhance financial sustainability, including being a trusted advisor on transformation, efficiency and wider savings plans, programmes and initiatives. As a senior leader within the Finance team you will support the Assistant Director of Finance Business Partnering to role model financial rigour, high-quality advice, and delivery of best practice, and produce high-quality financial analysis and robust assessment of financial risk to support decision-making.
As well as being an excellent technical accountant, the post holder will need to be able to think strategically and support the organisation to achieve its objectives, being aware of the political and commercial context. They will need to think innovatively, focus on key priorities, and make clear decisions. We are looking for a CCAB Qualified Accountant with experience and knowledge of Housing General Fund and HRA Accounting.
Key Responsibilities:
- Promoting a culture of strong financial management, both within the Finance service and with the Housing Service.
- Collaborating with the Place Directorate to understand their financial needs and objectives, ensuring that they have the requisite skills, knowledge and ongoing support to manage their own budgets.
- Analysing financial data to provide risk-based insights and recommendations.
- Providing specialist financial advice to ensure strong financial management and consistent financial grip.
- Overseeing the delivery of prompt, accurate and meaningful management reports and translating data into meaningful outputs.
- Preparing and presenting informative, high-quality reports to members and other senior stakeholders that aid in informed service and corporate decision-making.
- Aligning Directorate financial strategies with overarching organisational objectives and contributing to long-term planning to ensure that the organisation remains on track from a long-term financial sustainability perspective.
- Supporting the financial evaluation and management of major projects (both revenue and capital) and initiatives, ensuring robust business cases and effective resource allocation.
- Collaborating with Transformation and Performance to enhance the reporting of service activity, including the delivery of savings and performance indicators.
- Assisting with the efficient and timely completion of specific tasks within the annual closing of accounts process and ensuring that information presented in the financial statements complies with the CIPFA Code of Practice and reporting standards.
- Ensuring compliance with the Financial Regulations and relevant standards and codes of practice, including the Financial Management Code.
- Acting as a Deputy for the Assistant Director Finance Business Partnering when required.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Fully qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
- Evidence of post-qualification continuing professional development
- Educated to degree level or equivalent (desirable)
Terms and conditions:
- Satisfactory employment references
- Satisfactory declaration of interest
- Satisfactory DBS check
- Continued professional body registration
- This post is politically restricted therefore the post holder is disqualified from undertaking certain political activities under the Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990.
- As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives:
- Promoting equality of opportunity
- Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage
- Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels.
- Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all.
Respecting Diversity is a core Council value.
To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme.
We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual's personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below or feel free to discuss this during your interview.
For more information on the benefits of working for the Council, please visit here.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Sima Khiroya, Assistant Director Finance Business Partnering at sima.khiroya@walthamforest.gov.uk. If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post, please contact our Recruitment Team via email at recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk.
The Council’s preference is for online application. However, if you have a disability and are unable to complete an online application, please email recruitment@walthamforest.gov.uk so we can arrange an alternative application method.
Fraud Awareness Notice: The London Borough of Waltham Forest only advertises vacancies via our official website and approved recruitment platforms (e.g. Jobsgopublic). We will never ask for payment or request sensitive personal or financial information as part of our recruitment process. If you are contacted by a third party claiming to represent the Council, please verify the vacancy via our official careers website before sharing any information. If you have concerns about a job advert or communication, please report it to: fraud@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Head of Finance Business Partner -Housing Internal Applicants Only in Walthamstow employer: Borough of Waltham Forest
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work environment that champions diversity, innovation, and employee well-being. As a Good Work Standard employer, we prioritise fair pay, professional development, and a supportive culture that empowers our staff to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a commitment to flexible working arrangements and a focus on personal growth, we provide our employees with the tools and opportunities to excel in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance Business Partner -Housing Internal Applicants Only in Walthamstow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections within the London Borough of Waltham Forest or related sectors. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might not be in the job description.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the council's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for the borough and how you can contribute to its goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial analysis skills! Be ready to discuss how you would approach financial challenges specific to housing. We want to see your strategic thinking in action.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance Business Partner -Housing Internal Applicants Only in Walthamstow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your skills and experience align with the Head of Finance Business Partner role. We want to see how you can add value to our team, so be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the job.
Showcase Your Financial Expertise:As a CCAB Qualified Accountant, it's crucial to demonstrate your technical knowledge in Housing General Fund and HRA Accounting. Use examples from your past roles to illustrate your financial management skills and strategic thinking.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Keep your language straightforward and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the point, making it easy for us to see why you're a great fit.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we receive enough applications, so get your application in as soon as possible through our website to ensure you don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Waltham Forest
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance Business Partner, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics related to the Housing General Fund and HRA Accounting. Be ready to discuss how you've used financial data to inform strategic decisions in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires a strategic mindset. Prepare examples of how you've aligned financial strategies with organisational objectives in the past. Think about specific projects where your financial insights led to successful outcomes and be ready to share these during the interview.
✨Understand the Political Context
Given the nature of local government, it’s crucial to understand the political landscape. Research current issues facing the London Borough of Waltham Forest and think about how they might impact financial decision-making. This will show that you’re not just a numbers person but also aware of the broader context.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you’ve faced in financial management and how you overcame them. Practise articulating your thought process clearly, as this will demonstrate your ability to provide high-quality advice under pressure.
