5287065 – Finance Analyst in London

Umbrella rate – £30.69 an hour

Hybrid – 3 days in the office

Deadline – 15th Jan 2026

Job Purpose

• The role of Finance Analyst will be responsible for financial support to departments and schools including such areas as the annual budget, monthly monitoring, statutory reporting, Tax and VAT, Exchequer, Controls and supporting overall council functions.
• The role will deputise for the Senior Finance Analyst.
• The post holder will support officers, providing them with high level professional advice on a broad range of financial issues, including the administration of banking and pre-paid card systems.
• To play a significant role in the council's capital expenditure and income monitoring and control process and in preparing the council's statutory annual accounts.
• Responsible for a wide range of Oracle System and business operational reconciliations.

Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• To undertake the preparation of budgets, to assist service areas with budget projections and provide critical challenge on a monthly basis, or as required.
• To ensure a system of adequate internal controls exists in respect of financial matters.
• To ensure that accurate financial returns, to both internal and external bodies including CIPFA, are made on a timely basis.
• Advise on the financial viability of new or existing projects and policy proposals.
• Liaison with both Internal and External Auditors.
• To provide advice to service managers on financial matters, including interpretation and compliance with financial regulations.
• Support month end and year end processes, preparing performance and other reports.
• Keep the council's asset register up to date.
• Support schools and their bursars in their roles and their financial development needs.
• Support the development and maintenance of a full range of buy-back services for schools through effective SLA arrangements in a customer focused way.
• Support the activities supporting the schools forum and provide effective clerking services.

PO4 responsibilities, in addition to the above

• Update and manage the Council's tax strategies, identifying and defining new issues and implementing changes as appropriate, ensuring the council avoids penalties from the HMRC.
• Advise and liaise with departments on complex taxation issues and queries.
• Provide expert advice and support to departments on all aspects of banking matters, explore options to provide resolution to issues.
• Deal with complex queries, investigation and authorising payments, liaising with banking relationship managers.
• Manage the council's statutory obligations to the HM Revenues and Customs.
• System administrator for various banking related systems, working with suppliers on system improvements.
• Undertake monthly reconciliations, validations and reporting on all aspects of the council's control function, such as payroll, unmatched system accruals, manual accruals, trial balance and internal recharging etc.
• Production of statistical and data for benchmarking, Freedom of Information requests and all other ad hoc requests.
• Report any potential fraud and provide input on minimising the risk of fraud.
• To help mentor or supervise junior members of staff.
• Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all employees are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and well-being of children and vulnerable adults.
• Carry out duties with due regard to the Council's Customer Care, Equal Opportunities, Information Governance, Data Protection and Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of this post.
• To consolidate financial information into meaningful reports for senior managers which provide analysis, outcomes, options and recommendations linked to the overall financial position reported. To ensure that these reports are timely and accurate.
• To attend department management team meetings to present the financial position, to interpret the outcome and explain any variances.
• To work with departments and schools in order to help raise the standards of financial management within the areas by providing professional advice, support and training on all financial activities such as financial management, accounting and the application of financial regulations.
• To regularly meet with Directors/service managers to review the service provided and make improvements where necessary.
• Support the monitoring of the Brent Pension Fund's £0.5bn portfolio of assets and £1.0bn liabilities, carry out due diligence on potential investment fund managers, liaise with key internal stakeholders and the external investment community, and recognise and work to mitigate financial and non-financial risks facing the Fund in accordance with best practice, internal guidelines and relevant legislation.
• Produce the statutory Pension Fund accounts and serve as the primary contact during the external audit of these accounts.
• Manage the Council's loan debt and cash balances.
• Review the effectiveness and efficiency of policies and procedures for users of the Exchequer's systems and services relating to methods of income and expenditure.

PO5 responsibilities, in addition to the above

• Take primary responsibility for the production of monthly and year end revenue accounts, variance analyses, forecasts and all other financial returns required by departments/schools. These must be produced in accordance with strict deadlines.
• To prepare forecast summaries and variance analysis to be used in briefing CMT on the financial performance of the Department being supported.
• Deputise for the Senior Finance Analyst in their absence and attend senior management meetings if required.
• Continuously develop the role to ensure all objectives are delivered effectively.
• To undertake complex projects and/or financial analyses with minimal supervision for activities that may have a material financial impact on the council.
• To act as the key finance liaison with key partners and stakeholders outside of the council in relation to multi-agency partnership projects or pooled budgets.

If you think this job role is for you, please send your CV to rebeccabentum@carringtonblakerecruitment.com