At a Glance
- Tasks: Support public realm projects with financial insights and budget management.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Brent, committed to transformation and community support.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, training opportunities, and discounts through My Brent Rewards.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on your community while developing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong communication and budget management skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hybrid - 3 days in the office, 2 days from home
Your new organisation
At London Borough of Brent, finance is more than just producing the accounts, it’s about enabling transformation, safeguarding public resources, and helping shape the future of our borough. Working closely with colleagues across the council to ensure that financial insight is at the heart of decision-making. Their work is grounded in fairness, inclusion, and respect, and great pride is taken in creating a team environment where every voice is heard, and every success is celebrated. These values are not just aspirations, they are embedded in how they lead, how they support each other, and how they deliver for Brent's communities.
Your new role
We are recruiting for a Senior Finance Analyst for Capital (Public Realm and Assets) within the Capital, Treasury and Commercial Team. As the Senior Finance Analyst you will be working as a business partner and be responsible for providing specialist accounting support to the public realm area of the council's capital programme. The SFA will work with the public realm capital area providing professional advice on a broad range of financial issues to support the council's objectives. In addition, they will lead on ensuring the fixed asset register is accurately updated - track asset values, planning for replacement/maintenance and forecast depreciation. The Senior Finance Analyst will report to the relevant Head of Finance.
Key activities will include:
- Public-realm projects often involve multiple contractors, phases, and risks. You will monitor spending against budget, flag cost pressures, ensure financial controls are followed and help project managers make informed decisions.
- Manage budgets for long-term infrastructure and improvement projects.
- Public-realm improvements often rely on managing complex funding mixes: capital grants, developer contributions, borrowing, using internal capital reserves. You will ensure these are used correctly and compliantly.
- Managing and leading staff to achieve high performance and effective operational delivery, including developing and improving staff capabilities.
What you’ll need to succeed
- You will be a fully qualified accountant.
- Excellent communications skills and the ability to challenge and influence a range of stakeholders.
- Experience of supporting budget management, you will ideally understand capitalisation policies, asset register management, depreciation and impairment, revaluations, IFRS-based public-sector accounting and local government capital finance regulations.
What you’ll get in return
- Benefits include: the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Generous holiday entitlements starting from 27 days' holiday a year.
- A full range of family-friendly policies, including generous maternity and paternity entitlements and childcare schemes.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Good travel links in and out of Wembley and a range of cost saving travel schemes.
- Access to My Brent Rewards, our dedicated website for staff with big brand discounts and local offers.
- Work at the outstanding state-of-the-art Brent Civic Centre.
- Season ticket loan for public transport.
- Cycle to work scheme and good onsite facilities.
Closing date 15th March. Please do not wait until the closing date to apply. We will be assessing candidates as they apply.
Senior Finance Analyst - Capital (Public Realm and Assets) in London employer: Brent Council
Brent Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and culturally diverse environment for Educational Psychologists. With generous benefits such as up to 33 days of annual leave, excellent pension contributions, and the flexibility of hybrid working, employees are encouraged to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Greater London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Analyst - Capital (Public Realm and Assets) in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Brent Council. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Analyst - Capital (Public Realm and Assets) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Brent Council.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Brent Council's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brent Council
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Brent Council.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Brent Council will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Brent Council employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
