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- Tasks: Support budget managers with financial advice and analysis for Sutton Council.
- Company: Join the Shared Finance Service, dedicated to enhancing public sector finance.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a range of employee perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a high-performing team that values your ideas and growth.
- Qualifications: Ideal candidates are proactive, analytical, and studying towards a finance qualification.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the Role
In this role, you will join the FPBP team, providing essential financial support and advice to budget managers across Sutton Council and to schools. You will act as a critical friend, delivering insightful financial analysis to support business improvement and change in a challenging financial environment. Working closely with Strategic Finance Business Partners (SFBPs), you will offer robust financial management support throughout the core financial cycle, from budget setting and monitoring to the closing of accounts. Your work will be crucial in managing financial risk, ensuring financial planning is aligned with Council priorities, and protecting the overall financial health of the Council.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting and advising budget holders in the day-to-day financial management of revenue and capital budgets.
- Providing high-quality professional advice and translating business intelligence into successful outcomes.
- Challenging and supporting budget holders to manage within limited and reducing resources.
- Liaising with colleagues in Cognus to support the financial management of SEND services and working with schools to meet the requirements of the schools' finance manual.
- Supporting the review of business cases, committee reports, and briefing notes.
- Assisting in the completion of statutory returns and drafting responses to Freedom of Information Requests.
About You
We are looking for a proactive and collaborative individual with strong analytical and communication skills. The ideal candidate will have:
- Proven ability to analyse and interpret financial and non-financial information clearly and concisely.
- Excellent digital skills, including the use of Google applications and other software to record and manipulate data.
- Knowledge of how to support budget managers through budget setting, monitoring, and closing of accounts.
Desirable attributes include:
- Being part-qualified or studying towards a relevant professional qualification (e.g., AAT, CIPFA, CIMA).
- Experience providing finance based services.
- Knowledge or experience of Children’s Social Care, Education, or Schools finance.
If you are a commercially astute individual with a creative approach to problem-solving and a passion for public sector finance, we encourage you to apply. Join us and contribute to a finance service that adds value and helps achieve the Council's priorities.
About Us
This role is in the Financial Planning and Business Partnering (FPBP) team within the Shared Finance Service (SFS). The SFS for Sutton and Kingston Councils has the ambition to ‘Add value, inspire success’, which it does through the following objectives:
- Translate business intelligence into business success by delivering clear professional advice and insight.
- Safeguard the financial health of our Councils.
- Empower our customers to manage their finances.
- Learn, improve and exceed; supporting each other to develop our talent and achieve more.
The FPBP team has 18 roles and is brimming with talented individuals. This vacancy is a great opportunity to join a high performing team and work alongside brilliant colleagues. Whilst this is a team within the SFS, the team and this role only support Sutton Council.
Our Offer To You
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across - however big or small - will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team. In addition, we offer a modern and flexible working environment for our staff, supported by our IT infrastructure, including Google Chromebooks and Google Apps. Our Flexible Working - Smarter Working Scheme embraces new ways of working. It provides improved work life balance for our staff as it allows staff to work from a variety of locations and staff are not required to work within the office 5 days a week.
Employees have access to a wide range of benefits, some of which include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply)
- Flexi-time (Please note, this applies to roles at grades 1-9 only)
- Three volunteering days per year in Sutton or Kingston
- Comprehensive learning and development programme
- Local and national discounts for shopping, eating out and leisure activities
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Car parking scheme
- Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
- Zip car scheme
- Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses
- Confidential wellbeing and counselling support
- Subsidised gym membership
Finance Officer (Business Partnering) employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
Contact Detail:
LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Officer (Business Partnering)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the financial landscape of local councils, particularly Sutton Council. Understanding their priorities and challenges will help you tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Sutton Council or similar organisations. They can provide valuable insights into the culture and expectations of the FPBP team, which can be beneficial when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used financial analysis to support decision-making in previous roles. This will showcase your ability to add value as a Finance Officer.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends in public sector finance, especially regarding budget management and financial planning. Being knowledgeable about recent developments will help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Officer (Business Partnering)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the Finance Officer role. Focus on your analytical abilities, financial management experience, and any qualifications you have, such as AAT or CIMA.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for public sector finance and your understanding of the role's responsibilities. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can add value to the FPBP team.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your digital skills, particularly with Google applications, and your ability to analyse financial data. Mention any experience you have in supporting budget managers or working within a council environment.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a finance role.
How to prepare for a job interview at LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Finance Officer in Business Partnering. Familiarise yourself with key tasks such as budget management, financial analysis, and supporting budget holders. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've successfully analysed financial data or provided insights that led to improved outcomes. Highlight your ability to interpret both financial and non-financial information clearly, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Software
Since the role requires excellent digital skills, particularly with Google applications, be ready to discuss your experience with these tools. If possible, practice using them beforehand to ensure you're comfortable discussing how you would use them in your day-to-day tasks.
✨Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers
Think of insightful questions to ask about the team dynamics, challenges they face, and how success is measured in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
