At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial planning and budgeting for a large city council.
- Company: Join a dynamic city council with a focus on community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working arrangements, and valuable experience.
- Other info: Flexible location with potential for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a difference in local governance while enhancing your financial skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial planning, ideally within local authorities.
We are supporting a large city council with the recruitment of an Interim Financial Planning Accountant.
Your new role:
- To support the Head of Financial Planning and Finance Managers in delivering the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP), annual budget process, and in-year financial monitoring by providing high-quality financial analysis, coordination, and operational leadership.
- The role will help translate strategic financial direction into robust, deliverable financial planning processes, ensuring strong financial control, insight, and stakeholder support across the organisation.
- This directly supports the Head of Financial Planning’s responsibility for financial planning, reporting, control, and advice across the Council.
- Support the coordination and development of the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and annual budget process.
- Help produce detailed financial models to support funding forecasts, savings programmes, and investment decisions.
- Support the identification and forecasting of funding and financial risks.
- Ensure alignment between financial plans and corporate priorities.
What you'll need to succeed:
- Ideally qualified but flexible.
- Experience in local authorities, ideally in the corporate/financial planning/MTFS space.
- Strong experience of working on financial planning models - looking at the impact of inflation/CPI on the MTFS.
What you'll get in return:
- £450 p/day.
- 6 months assignment.
- Ideally 1 day per week in the office - flexible on candidate location.
Financial Planning Accountant employer: Hays
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Planning Accountant
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Hays.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Hays might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Planning Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Hays will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Hays. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Hays confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Hays.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Hays that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
