At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management for Children and Young People, ensuring effective budget control and planning.
- Company: Join a London Borough Council dedicated to improving services for children and young people.
- Benefits: Permanent position with opportunities for professional growth and impactful work.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement and high performance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: CCAB qualified accountant with local government experience and strong leadership abilities.
We are supporting a London Borough Council with their recruitment of a Strategic Business Partner for Children and Young People to join its Finance function and lead a high-performing accountancy and financial planning team on a permanent basis.
This is an important leadership role, providing trusted financial advice and challenge to senior officers, elected Members and service leaders. You will play a key role in ensuring strong financial management, effective budgetary control and robust financial planning across the Council.
Job responsibilities:
- Leading the delivery of high-quality financial management and accountancy support
- Overseeing revenue and capital budget monitoring, challenging significant variances and supporting corrective action.
- Supporting the Council's medium-term financial and service planning, including the development and challenge of growth and savings proposals.
- Coordinating the production of annual revenue budgets and supporting the development of the capital budget in line with the Council's Capital Strategy.
- Providing clear financial analysis, advice and commentary for senior officers, elected Members and formal Council reports.
- Ensuring robust financial systems, controls and processes comply with legislation, professional standards, the Council's Constitution and relevant reporting requirements.
- Coordinating the closing of accounts process and ensuring statutory and professional deadlines are met.
- Maximising external funding opportunities and overseeing grant claims and returns.
- Supporting partnership working, including with health and other agencies, to facilitate the delivery of integrated services.
- Managing, developing and motivating finance professionals, creating a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.
- Deputising for the Head of Service Finance when required.
About you
We are looking for a CCAB qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA or similar) with substantial local government experience, who can combine strong technical expertise with excellent leadership and communication skills.
You will have a proven track record of:
- Children's Services finance experience
- Good DSG / Schools finance knowledge
- Credibility working with Directors and senior stakeholders
- Experience of financial planning, savings and budget management
- Strong leadership and team management skills
You will be commercially aware, solutions-focused and confident enough to challenge constructively. Just as importantly, you'll be able to build strong relationships and communicate financial information in a way that enables non-finance colleagues to make informed decisions.
If you're an experienced local government finance professional looking for a role where your expertise can have a genuine strategic impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now to find out more.
Strategic Business Partner (Children and Young People) in London employer: Cpl UK
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Business Partner (Children and Young People) in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Cpl UK. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Cpl UK.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Cpl UK. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Business Partner (Children and Young People) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Cpl UK and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Cpl UK how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cpl UK
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Cpl UK.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Cpl UK's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
