Finance Manager

Overview

Are you a qualified finance professional with strong business partnering skills and experience of supporting complex public sector services? Harrow Council is seeking an experienced and proactive Finance Manager to join the Finance Division and play a key role in supporting the delivery of the Council’s financial strategy, medium‑term financial planning and financial sustainability.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will provide high‑quality financial advice, challenge and support to Directors, Heads of Service and budget holders across a designated service area. Acting as a trusted business partner, you will help services achieve their objectives while ensuring sound financial management, robust governance and value for money.

The role will lead on financial planning, budget monitoring, forecasting and financial reporting, supporting both revenue and capital programmes. You will provide independent scrutiny of financial forecasts and business cases, challenge assumptions, identify risks and opportunities, and ensure that financial information supports effective decision‑making across the organisation.

You will also play a leading role in corporate financial activities, including budget setting, financial monitoring, year‑end processes, statutory returns and the development of the Council’s Medium‑Term Financial Strategy. In addition, you will contribute to transformation programmes, system improvements and cross‑council projects that strengthen financial management and support organisational improvement.

About You

You will be a fully qualified CCAB accountant with significant experience in financial management, business partnering and providing strategic financial advice within a complex organisation. Ideally, you will have a strong understanding of local authority finance, including budgeting, medium‑term financial planning, capital programmes and the wider legislative framework. You will be confident working with senior leaders and elected members, offering constructive challenge and influencing decision‑making through clear financial insight and professional advice. A collaborative and proactive leader, you will be committed to developing others, driving continuous improvement and ensuring high standards of financial governance, accountability and customer‑focused service delivery.

• A recognised CCAB professional accountancy qualification, supported by ongoing professional development and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Strong knowledge of local government financial management, including budget setting, financial monitoring, medium‑term financial planning, capital financing and statutory financial requirements.
• Proven experience in a finance management or business partnering role, providing robust financial advice, supporting transformation programmes, managing financial risks and contributing to year‑end accounts and audit processes.
• Excellent analytical, numerical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information, produce high‑quality reports and support effective decision‑making.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to build trusted relationships, influence senior stakeholders and promote sound financial management across the organisation.