At a Glance
- Tasks: Support SEND reforms by providing financial insights and improving data quality.
- Company: Westminster City Council, committed to innovation and excellent service delivery.
- Benefits: Agile working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on equality, diversity, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people with SEND.
- Qualifications: AAT qualification or equivalent finance experience; strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 23735 - 29009 £ per year.
Location: Westminster City Council
Work Style: Agile and Flexible Working
About Westminster
Westminster is home to some of the most diverse, vibrant and internationally recognised communities in the UK. As a council, we are committed to delivering excellent services, driving innovation, and ensuring value for money for our residents, businesses and visitors.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a motivated and commercially minded Finance Business Partner to support one of our most important transformation programmes, SEND Reforms. SEND reforms are government-led changes to England's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system aimed at providing earlier, more consistent and more inclusive support for children and young people, whilst improving outcomes and making the system more sustainable. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the interface between Finance and SEND Operations, providing financial insight, improving data quality and supporting better decision-making across services. Reporting to a Finance Manager, you will play a key role in supporting operational colleagues, strengthening financial governance and helping deliver the objectives of the SEND reform agenda. You will work closely with operational managers and finance colleagues to improve reporting processes, resolve historical data issues, and ensure financial and operational systems provide a single source of truth for decision-makers.
Key Responsibilities
- Work successfully across multiple projects and priorities, ensuring high-quality outputs are delivered accurately and on time.
- Deliver timely and accurate financial information to support monthly closedown processes, balance sheet reconciliations and statutory reporting requirements.
- Partner with SEND service managers and budget holders to provide financial and commercial advice on service plans, initiatives and projects.
- Support the SEND Operations Team by improving financial understanding, reporting and governance arrangements.
- Cleanse, reconcile and validate data across Eclipse, Power BI and financial systems to ensure consistency and accuracy of reporting.
- Help clear existing reporting backlogs and implement sustainable improvements to financial and operational reporting processes.
- Develop, review and maintain procedures and guidance documents that support consistent service delivery and compliance.
- Support benchmarking, cross-authority collaboration and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Assist in financial modelling, analysis and business case development.
- Build effective working relationships across Finance, Children's Services and wider Council teams.
What We Expect This Role to Achieve
- Support delivery of the Council's strategic priorities by implementing continuous service improvement initiatives and providing financial insight that helps the organisation respond to future challenges.
- Work collaboratively across services to strengthen financial and commercial management practices, support sustainable service improvements and deliver value for money.
- Act as a key link between Finance and SEND Operations, ensuring robust financial oversight and reporting arrangements are in place to support the delivery of SEND reforms.
- Improve the quality, consistency and reliability of operational and financial data, enabling better strategic planning, commissioning and decision-making.
- Deliver specialist financial advice and support, maintaining and improving systems, processes and procedures to maximise efficiency, effectiveness and value.
- Support strong budgetary control and financial planning processes, helping services prioritise resources effectively and achieve value for money.
- Identify opportunities to improve commercial performance and contribute to outcome-based commissioning approaches where appropriate.
- Build productive relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders, influencing and supporting improvements in service delivery and financial management.
- Support the development and implementation of transformation and change programmes by providing high-quality financial information, analysis and challenge.
- Ensure financial activities comply with relevant legislation, Council policies, financial regulations and governance requirements.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work and contribute to the Council's commitment to building inclusive services and workplaces.
About You
You will be a proactive finance professional with strong analytical skills and a genuine interest in improving services for children and young people with SEND. You will enjoy working collaboratively across teams, translating financial information into meaningful insights and driving improvements through better processes and data.
You will have:
- Experience supporting a significant organisational function within a large and complex organisation.
- Experience contributing to budget setting, monitoring and forecasting.
- Experience undertaking financial analysis, modelling and reporting.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with operational and financial stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- A commitment to continuous improvement and delivering value for money.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Essential Requirements
- Understanding of financial planning, budget setting, forecasting and year-end processes.
- Knowledge of financial and commercial management principles and performance measures.
- Understanding of data analysis and reporting, with the ability to identify and resolve inconsistencies.
- Aware of the challenges facing local government and public services.
- Effective stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams and disciplines.
Qualifications
You will hold:
- AAT qualification (essential) or equivalent relevant finance knowledge and experience.
- Degree qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
- Part-qualified CCAB/CIMA (or overseas equivalent), or be actively studying towards a recognised professional accountancy qualification.
SEND Reforms employer: Hammond Clarke
Hammond Clarke is an excellent employer that values its employees by fostering a collaborative work culture and providing ample opportunities for professional growth within the local government sector. With a focus on meaningful projects, you will benefit from a supportive environment that encourages continuous learning and development, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in strategic planning and highways law.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEND Reforms
✨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 Hammond Clarke. 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 SEND Reforms
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 Hammond Clarke.
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 Hammond Clarke'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 Hammond Clarke
✨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 Hammond Clarke.
✨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 Hammond Clarke 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 Hammond Clarke 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.
