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- Tasks: Lead financial reporting and ensure compliance with statutory accounts in a dynamic public sector environment.
- Company: Join the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, shaping financial governance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to influence senior leaders.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to drive continuous improvement in financial processes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial governance and reporting in a complex organisation.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in financial accounting and a CCAB, CIMA or equivalent qualification.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Location: London, Manchester
About the job
Job summary
Do you thrive on leading complex statutory accounts and exercising professional judgement on high‑profile, technically challenging accounting issues? Are you motivated by providing assurance at the highest level, influencing senior leaders, and shaping financial governance across a large and complex public sector organisation? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Financial Reporting to join our team at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and we would love to hear from you!
This role offers a significant opportunity for an experienced financial reporting professional to provide senior functional leadership for financial accounting and reporting across the department. The postholder will lead the Financial Reporting function, take strategic ownership of statutory accounts and external financial reporting, and ensure the department meets the highest standards of compliance, quality and professional judgement.
The role operates at a senior level across the organisation, working closely with Directors, Senior Responsible Owners, Arm’s Length Bodies, HM Treasury and the National Audit Office. The role is central to providing assurance over complex financial reporting risks and delivering the Annual Report and Accounts, Whole of Government Accounts and other statutory and parliamentary reporting requirements. The postholder will exercise significant professional judgement on complex and novel accounting matters and will play a key role in strengthening financial governance, capability, and continuous improvement across the department.
You will champion best practice, continuous improvement and build capability within your immediate team and beyond, as well as developing a network of contacts and collaborating, sharing best practice and supporting the development of the financial reporting capability across the department.
Job description
As the Head of Financial Reporting you will be responsible for:
- Functional leadership and statutory reporting
- Providing senior functional leadership for Financial Accounting and Reporting across the department.
- Taking end‑to‑end ownership of the production, quality assurance and delivery of the Annual Report and Accounts.
- Leading delivery of external financial reporting obligations, including Whole of Government Accounts returns.
- Ensuring compliance with FReM, IFRS, Managing Public Money, and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.
- Supporting ALBs where needed on technical Financial Accounting matters.
Technical expertise and professional judgement
- Acting as a recognised technical authority on complex and novel accounting issues.
- Leading and documenting significant accounting judgements.
- Providing advice to senior leaders and Audit Committee.
Audit, risk and assurance
- Owning the relationship with the National Audit Office and HMRC.
- Managing audit risks and issues to resolution.
- Embedding strong control, assurance and audit‑ready processes.
Leadership and capability building
- Leading and developing the Financial Reporting team.
- Building technical and professional capability across finance.
Stakeholder engagement and influence
- Engaging senior stakeholders across the department and government.
- Explaining complex accounting matters clearly to non‑finance audiences.
Change and continuous improvement
- Driving improvement and modernisation in reporting processes and systems.
- Supporting wider finance transformation.
Corporate Contribution
Contributing to the wider work of the department by supporting the SCS Deputy Director of Finance in leading the Finance Profession within the department.
Person specification
- Extensive experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting.
- Strong knowledge of IFRS and FReM.
- Experience leading delivery of public sector accounts.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Qualifications:
- CCAB, CIMA or equivalent professional accountancy qualification.
For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.
Head of Financial Reporting in London employer: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Reporting in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend finance events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge. Talk about your experience with IFRS and FReM, and how you've tackled complex accounting issues. This will show them you’re the expert they need!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before interviews! Understand the organisation's financial governance and recent reports. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their financial reporting and compliance goals. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at MHCLG!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Reporting in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of Financial Reporting role. Highlight your extensive experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting, and don’t forget to mention your knowledge of IFRS and FReM!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your leadership experience and how you've influenced senior leaders in previous roles. We want to see your passion for financial governance!
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, be sure to highlight your technical authority on complex accounting issues. Share examples of significant accounting judgements you've made and how they benefited your previous organisations. This will show us you’re ready for the challenges ahead!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our team and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your financial accounting knowledge, especially around IFRS and FReM. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of complex statutory accounts you've worked on, as this will show your expertise and confidence in handling high-profile accounting issues.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, practice how you would explain complex accounting matters to non-finance audiences. Think of scenarios where you've successfully communicated technical information and be ready to share those experiences during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head of Financial Reporting, you'll need to showcase your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects, particularly in financial reporting. Highlight any initiatives you've driven for continuous improvement and capability building within your team.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face questions that test your professional judgement on complex accounting issues. Review recent changes in financial regulations or standards and be ready to discuss how these might impact financial governance. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and commitment to staying updated in your field.