At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse financial data and support budget management for schools funding.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Brent, committed to transformation and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model and excellent career development prospects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local education funding while enjoying a supportive team culture.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in DSG budgets and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 66378 - 69984 £ per year.
Salary: £66,378 - £69,984 (depending on experience)
Hybrid - 3 days in the office, 2 days from home
Your new organisation
At London Borough of Brent, finance is more than just producing the accounts; it's about enabling transformation, safeguarding public resources, and helping shape the future of our borough. Working closely with colleagues across the council to ensure that financial insight is at the heart of decision-making. Their work is grounded in fairness, inclusion, and respect, and great pride is taken in creating a team environment where every voice is heard, and every success is celebrated.
Your new role
We are seeking an experienced finance professional with a strong background in Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and, ideally, hands-on involvement with the High Needs Block. This is a specialist role suited to someone who can combine technical expertise with confident stakeholder engagement and a proactive, analytical mindset.
Key Requirements
- Proven experience working on DSG budgets, with a clear understanding of the complexities and pressures within the High Needs Block
- Previous involvement in the Safety Valve or Delivering Better Value programme (highly desirable)
- Intermediate to advanced Excel capability, including complex formulas, pivot tables and data modelling
- Highly analytical skill set with exceptional attention to detail
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and build effective working relationships
- Solid understanding of local government finance, funding frameworks and statutory reporting requirements
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines
- Experience supporting budget holders, providing financial advice, challenge and insight to drive informed decision-making
What you'll need to succeed
- You will be a fully qualified accountant.
- Excellent communications skills and the ability to challenge and influence a range of stakeholders.
- Experience of supporting budget management, ideally with a good understanding of schools funding through working in local government or a school environment where you have assumed responsibility for budgetary control.
What you'll get in return
- Competitive salary
- The opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Generous holiday entitlements starting from 27 days' holiday a year
- A full range of family-friendly policies, including generous maternity and paternity entitlements and childcare schemes
- Flexible working patterns, including hybrid working
- Training and development opportunities
- Good travel links in and out of Wembley and a range of cost-saving travel schemes
- Access to My Brent Rewards, our dedicated website for staff with big brand discounts and local offers
- Work at the outstanding state-of-the-art Brent Civic Centre
- Season ticket loan for public transport
- Cycle to work scheme and good on-site facilities
The closing date is 17th May. Please do not wait until the closing date to apply. We will be assessing candidates as they apply.
Senior Finance Analyst - Financial Services in Wembley employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Analyst - Financial Services in Wembley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience with DSG or local government finance. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of the High Needs Block and the complexities of DSG budgets. We recommend practising common interview questions and having examples ready that showcase your analytical skills and stakeholder management.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing the job! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to the hiring team. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Analyst - Financial Services in Wembley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your background in DSG and High Needs Block, as well as any relevant stakeholder engagement experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past and how you can contribute to our mission at Brent.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, be sure to mention any relevant projects or experiences where you've used Excel and data modelling to drive decision-making. We love seeing those skills in action!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the closing date to submit your application. We assess candidates as they come in, so get your application in through our website sooner rather than later to increase your chances!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Know Your DSG Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the Dedicated Schools Grant and the High Needs Block. Be prepared to discuss specific challenges and complexities you've faced in previous roles, as well as how you've navigated them.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since this role requires a strong analytical mindset, come ready with examples of how you've used data to drive decision-making. Highlight your experience with Excel, especially complex formulas and data modelling, to demonstrate your technical expertise.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Prepare to discuss your approach to stakeholder management. Think of instances where you've influenced or challenged decisions, and be ready to explain how you built those relationships. This will show that you can communicate effectively across different levels.
✨Demonstrate Your Local Government Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with local government finance and funding frameworks. Be ready to discuss statutory reporting requirements and how they impact budget management. This will show that you understand the broader context of the role and can hit the ground running.