At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse financial data and support budget management for schools funding.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Brent, committed to transformation and community support.
- Benefits: Generous salary, holiday entitlements, pension scheme, and discounts on local offers.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local government finance while shaping the future of education.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in DSG budgets and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 66378 - 69984 £ per year.
Salary: £66,378 - £69,984 (depending on experience as per the job description)
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 seeking an experienced finance professional with a strong background in Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and, ideally, hands‑on involvement with the High Needs Block. This is a specialist role suited to someone who can combine technical expertise with confident stakeholder engagement and a proactive, analytical mindset.
Key Requirements
- Proven experience working on DSG budgets, with a clear understanding of the complexities and pressures within the High Needs Block
- Previous involvement in the Safety Valve or Delivering Better Value programme (highly desirable)
- Intermediate to advanced Excel capability, including complex formulas, pivot tables and data modelling
- Highly analytical skill set with exceptional attention to detail
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and build effective working relationships
- Solid understanding of local government finance, funding frameworks and statutory reporting requirements
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver high‑quality outputs to tight deadlines
- Experience supporting budget holders, providing financial advice, challenge and insight to drive informed decision‑making
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 have a good understanding of schools funding through working in local government or a school environment where you have assumed responsibility for budgetary control.
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
The closing date is 17th May. Please do not wait until the closing date to apply. We will be assessing candidates as they apply.
Senior Financial Analyst - DSG in Wembley employer: Brent Council
Contact Detail:
Brent Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Analyst - DSG in Wembley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the London Borough of Brent on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your DSG knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific challenges in the High Needs Block and how your experience can help tackle them.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills during the interview. Bring examples of how you've used Excel to solve complex financial problems, as this will demonstrate your technical expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Financial Analyst - DSG in Wembley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience with DSG budgets and stakeholder management to show us you’re the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about finance in local government. Share examples of how you've influenced decision-making or managed budgets effectively, especially in relation to the High Needs Block.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires a strong analytical mindset, don’t shy away from including specific examples of how you've used Excel for data modelling or complex analysis. We want to see your attention to detail!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the closing date to submit your application. We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in, so get your materials in early to increase your chances of standing out to us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brent Council
✨Know Your DSG Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Dedicated Schools Grant and the High Needs Block. Be prepared to discuss specific challenges and complexities you've encountered in previous roles, as well as how you've navigated them.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since this role requires a strong analytical mindset, come ready with examples of how you've used data to drive decision-making. Highlight your experience with Excel, especially complex formulas and data modelling, to demonstrate your technical expertise.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Prepare to discuss your approach to stakeholder management. Think of instances where you've influenced or challenged decisions, and be ready to explain how you built those relationships. This will show that you can communicate effectively across different levels.
✨Demonstrate Your Independence
This role requires someone who can manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs. Share examples of how you've successfully worked independently in the past, particularly under tight deadlines, to showcase your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.