At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide financial insight and support to drive improvements in finance processes.
- Company: Public sector organisation focused on finance transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and impactful role.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public finance and work with senior leaders.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with public sector experience and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50269 - 54495 £ per year.
Finance Business Partner (Fixed-Term Contract)
Salary
£50,269 – £54,495
Contract
Fixed-Term Contract (6 Months)
Location
Birmingham (Hybrid Working)
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced
Finance Business Partner to join a public sector organisation undergoing a significant programme of finance improvement and transformation.
This role is ideally suited to a qualified accountant who combines strong technical finance expertise with excellent stakeholder management skills and experience working within the public sector.
Working closely with senior leaders and budget holders, you will provide high-quality financial support, challenge, and insight while helping to drive improvements across finance processes, controls, reporting, and systems.
Alongside delivering core financial management activities, you will play a key role in supporting the modernisation and continuous improvement of the finance function.
Key Responsibilities
- Finance Business Partnering
- Act as a trusted adviser to budget holders and operational managers.
- Provide financial insight, challenge, and support to inform decision-making.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
- Build strong and effective relationships with stakeholders across the organisation.
- Deliver clear, accurate, and timely financial management information.
- Financial Management
- Support the production of monthly management accounts.
- Prepare and post journals.
- Complete balance sheet reconciliations.
- Manage accruals, prepayments, and deferred income.
- Maintain accurate financial records and ensure compliance with financial controls.
- Support month-end and year-end processes.
- Service Improvement & Transformation
- Review and improve end-to-end finance processes.
- Identify opportunities to simplify and standardise ways of working.
- Reduce reliance on manual processes and spreadsheet-based reporting.
- Improve reporting timelines and the efficiency of month-end activities.
- Strengthen financial controls and governance arrangements.
- Develop and document robust finance procedures and working papers.
- Support the optimisation of finance systems and reporting tools.
- Assist in the delivery of finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
About You
Essential Criteria
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIPFA, or CIMA).
- Previous experience working within the public sector
(Local Government, NHS, Education, Housing, Central Government, or wider public sector organisations).
- Proven experience in a Finance Business Partner, Management Accountant, or similar role.
- Strong management accounting, budgeting, and forecasting experience.
- Experience improving finance processes and implementing change.
- Advanced Excel skills.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience supporting finance transformation programmes.
- Finance systems implementation or optimisation experience.
- Process mapping and documentation experience.
- Knowledge of public sector financial governance and reporting requirements.
- Personal Attributes
You will be
- A proactive and solutions-focused finance professional.
- Confident in building relationships and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
- Naturally curious, with a passion for continuous improvement.
- Comfortable working in a changing environment.
- Able to challenge constructively while maintaining positive working relationships.
- Organised, adaptable, and focused on delivering results.
What's on Offer?
- Salary of
£50,269 – £54,495 .
- Hybrid working model.
- Opportunity to make a visible impact within a public sector organisation.
- Exposure to senior stakeholders and strategic decision-making.
- A varied role combining finance business partnering, financial management, and transformation initiatives.
This opportunity will particularly suit a qualified accountant with public sector experience who enjoys partnering with stakeholders, driving continuous improvement, and helping organisations achieve greater financial efficiency and effectiveness.
Finance Business Partner in Birmingham employer: Opus People Solutions Ltd
Opus People Solutions Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises sustainable outcomes for children and families. With a focus on professional development, employees have access to growth opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in their community while working in a hybrid role that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner in Birmingham
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd.
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd 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 Finance Business Partner in Birmingham
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 Opus People Solutions Ltd 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 Opus People Solutions Ltd. 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 Opus People Solutions Ltd confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Opus People Solutions Ltd
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd.
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd 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.
