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- Tasks: Support financial planning, budget setting, and analysis for Hastings Borough Council.
- Company: Join Hastings Borough Council, a forward-thinking local authority.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working options and a vibrant seafront office location.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the borough's financial future while developing your finance career.
- Qualifications: AAT qualified and pursuing a professional accountancy qualification with relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 43000 £ per year.
Hastings Borough Council is looking for an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Assistant Finance Business Partner to join our Financial Services team. This role is crucial in supporting the Finance Business Partnering team, helping to provide high-quality financial services, including budget setting, monitoring, financial analysis, and final accounts preparation. You will work closely with budget managers and council stakeholders to ensure financial planning and management meet the Council’s objectives, while also assisting in the development of financial policies, processes, and reporting improvements.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in preparing annual revenue and capital budgets, ensuring compliance with corporate procedures and financial regulations.
- Support the identification and monitoring of financial risks and pressures, including efficiency savings.
- Help produce monthly budget monitoring reports, supporting budget managers with forecasting and financial analysis.
- Assist in the closing of accounts, ensuring compliance with statutory and audit requirements.
- Support the reconciliation of control accounts and address any inconsistencies.
- Contribute to financial returns, grant claims, and compliance reporting.
- Provide financial training and guidance to council officers.
- Ensure financial audit standards are met, working collaboratively with auditors.
About You
We are looking for an AAT-qualified finance professional, ideally working towards a CCAB qualification (ACA/CIMA/ACCA/CIPFA), with experience in budget setting, monitoring, and financial reporting. You will have strong numerical, analytical, and IT skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly.
Essential Requirements
- AAT qualified and studying towards a professional accountancy qualification.
- Experience in budget setting, monitoring, and closing accounts.
- Knowledge of local government accounting procedures.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
- Strong understanding of financial, accounting, and budgeting principles.
- Ability to analyse financial information and produce clear, concise reports.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload.
Why Join Us?
At Hastings Borough Council, we offer a supportive and collaborative work environment where you will have opportunities for professional development. You’ll play a key role in ensuring strong financial management for the borough, helping to shape our financial future.
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Flexible working arrangements
- Employee Discount Scheme
- Seafront office location with hybrid working options
If you’re passionate about public sector finance and want to develop your career in a forward-thinking council, we’d love to hear from you!
Assistant Finance Business Partner in Saint Leonards-on-Sea employer: Hastings Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Hastings Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Finance Business Partner in Saint Leonards-on-Sea
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Hastings Borough Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and the team, plus it shows our genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on local government accounting procedures. We should be ready to discuss how our skills align with their needs, especially in budget setting and financial reporting.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. This will help us articulate our experience and qualifications confidently, making a great impression when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can tailor our submission to highlight how we meet the specific requirements of the Assistant Finance Business Partner role.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Finance Business Partner in Saint Leonards-on-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Assistant Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your AAT qualification and any relevant experience in budget setting and financial reporting to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about public sector finance and how your background aligns with our needs. Keep it concise but engaging, showing us your personality.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel. We love candidates who can analyse financial information and produce clear reports, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hastings Borough Council
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around budget setting and monitoring. Be prepared to discuss your experience with financial analysis and how you've contributed to previous projects. This will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Local Government Accounting
Since this role is within a local council, it’s crucial to have a good grasp of local government accounting procedures. Do some research on how these differ from private sector practices, and be ready to explain how you can apply your knowledge in this context.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical financial issues or to describe how you would handle specific situations, like budget overruns or compliance challenges. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process and problem-solving skills effectively.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As you'll need to communicate complex financial information clearly, think of examples where you've successfully done this in the past. Whether it's through reports or presentations, being able to convey your ideas succinctly will impress the interviewers.