Interim Group Accountant- High Needs Block

Location: 255 - 259 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1NN

Start Date: ASAP

Contract Duration: 3+ Months

Working Hours: 36 hours per week

Pay Rate: PAYE: £60.21 per HOUR

Job Reference: OR107715

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of strategic financial management and business partnering services across Education, Inclusion, and SEND services.
• Act as the principal finance lead for the High Needs Block, providing expert financial advice to senior managers and stakeholders.
• Prepare and deliver monthly and quarterly budget monitoring, financial forecasting, and performance reports.
• Develop complex financial models, scenario planning, and options appraisals to support strategic decision‑making.
• Support service transformation programmes through financial analysis, business case development, and investment appraisals.
• Identify financial risks, develop mitigation strategies, and support the delivery of savings and recovery plans.
• Produce statutory financial reports, support the year‑end closedown process, and contribute to the preparation of the Statement of Accounts.
• Ensure compliance with local authority financial regulations, statutory accounting requirements, and audit standards.
• Develop and improve financial systems, controls, reporting processes, and management information.
• Provide financial guidance to budget holders to promote value for money and sustainable financial management.
• Advise on funding opportunities, policy changes, and the financial implications of service developments.
• Prepare and present financial reports to senior leadership, elected Members, committees, and external stakeholders.
• Represent the Council at regional and national meetings, forums, and partnership groups.
• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop the SEND Finance Team, ensuring high‑quality service delivery and staff performance.
• Promote continuous improvement, collaboration, and customer‑focused financial services across the organisation.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• CCAB or CIMA qualified, or substantial equivalent senior‑level finance experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in financial management within a large and complex organisation.
• Extensive experience in financial modelling, forecasting, and budget management.
• Experience providing strategic financial advice and business partnering to senior stakeholders.
• Experience supporting service transformation, business case development, and financial planning.
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and supporting local authority year‑end closedown processes.
• Experience of local authority finance, statutory accounting, and financial reporting.
• Experience managing, developing, and leading professional finance teams.
• Experience managing projects and delivering outcomes across multidisciplinary teams.

Essential Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of local government finance and statutory accounting requirements.
• Understanding of High Needs Block funding and SEND financial management.
• Knowledge of financial governance, audit requirements, and financial regulations.
• Understanding of public sector commercialisation, financial risk management, and value‑for‑money principles.

Essential Skills

• Excellent financial analysis, forecasting, and modelling skills.
• Strong leadership and people management abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to non‑financial audiences.
• Strong influencing, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to challenging deadlines.
• Strong problem‑solving and strategic decision‑making abilities.
• High level of proficiency in financial systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across services and with external partners.
• Customer‑focused, proactive, and committed to continuous improvement.