Financial Reporting Manager in Kingston upon Thames

Financial Reporting Manager in Kingston upon Thames

Kingston upon Thames Full-Time 58461 - 67575 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial reporting and ensure accuracy in statutory accounts for two London boroughs.
  • Company: Join the Royal Borough of Kingston and Sutton councils, known for their collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to employee well-being and growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on local governance while developing your finance career.
  • Qualifications: CCAB qualified with experience in local authority accounting and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 58461 - 67575 £ per year.

Location: 6-8 Penrhyn Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2BB, UK

Salary: 58,461 - 67,575 per year

Employment: Full time

Category: Finance

Posted: 2026-07-23

Valid to: 2026-08-21

Apply: Application Link

Employer: Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

About the Borough

Joining us, you get to work for not just one high performing London Borough, but two. Sutton and Kingston councils have a number of shared services serving both authorities, with some teams and roles more focussed on one Council than the other, but the majority are shared across both, meaning you get multiple opportunities to learn from a wider pool of activities and two different political bodies.

We work flexibly in both Sutton and Kingston offices, and support working at home or flexible working patterns that enable you to tailor your working and personal life. We provide the equipment and tools to enable you to work flexibly, and in return ask you to use that flexibility to be creative and ambitious in the services we deliver.

There are some really exciting things happening in both Sutton and Kingston. We are developing the London Cancer Hub, a world leading cancer research and treatment hub that will bring together professionals from across different sectors to identify and test new treatments and therapies. We are undertaking the largest housing regeneration programme ever delivered in Kingston, building new energy efficient housing that will transform some of our oldest Council owned housing. Both boroughs have publicly committed to doing what they can to tackle the climate emergency and are investing in new technologies and societal change that will help bring carbon emissions down and improve our climate impact.

You should choose Sutton and Kingston if you are looking for an opportunity that will challenge you to deliver more, support you to achieve personal ambitions, and expect you to put borough residents at the heart of what you do.

About the Service and Team

The Financial Reporting & Control team covers financial reporting, systems, control and tax, as part of the Finance Shared Service for London Borough of Sutton and Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames. This includes producing the annual statement of accounts which are up to date and on time for both boroughs.

About the Role and Our Ideal Candidate

As our Financial Reporting Manager, you will hold a senior leadership position within the Shared Finance Service (SFS). While the SFS supports both the Royal Borough of Kingston and the London Borough of Sutton, you will join a peer-led model where two Financial Reporting Managers work in close partnership. In this structure, each manager takes lead responsibility for the financial integrity and statutory accounts of one of the two authorities.

Reporting to the Head of Financial Reporting & Control, your primary focus will be leading the annual closing process and the production of the Statement of Accounts for your assigned Council. You will provide high-level technical expertise in areas such as the balance sheet, grants and collection fund. You will act as a key advisor to the S151 officer and Assistant Director, ensuring that the Council's financial health is reported with precision, clarity, and strategic insight.

Our Ideal Candidate

  • Financial Reporting Expertise: Extensive experience in closing the accounts of a large Local Authority and a deep understanding of the CIPFA Code and statutory reporting frameworks.
  • Collaborative Leadership: The ability to work seamlessly with your peer manager to align accounting practices across the shared service while providing mutual support during peak periods.
  • People Development: A passion for line managing, coaching, and mentoring staff, helping us fulfill our ambition to "grow our own talent" within the finance profession.
  • Strategic Communication: The capability to interpret complex legislation and translate it into clear, professional advice for Committee Reports and senior decision-makers.
  • Integrity and Stewardship: A strong commitment to maintaining robust financial governance and protecting the integrity of the public purse.

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.

Employees have access to a wide range of benefits to enable staff to achieve a work life balance, some of which include:

  • A generous annual leave entitlement of 26-32 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply) depending on service and grade
  • Enhanced Maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption and dependents leave
  • Two volunteering days per year
  • Flexible Working - Smarter Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
  • Adjustable and agile working arrangements using Google Chromebooks
  • Learning and development portal offering a range of courses
  • Discounts on a range of local shops, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres
  • Interest free season ticket loans
  • Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
  • Zip car scheme
  • Confidential health & wellbeing and counselling support

Application Process

Apply online outlining what skills, abilities and experience you can bring which makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Please refer to the requirements outlined in the job profile when completing your application and check your CV details have been uploaded correctly in the relevant sections.

We understand and recognise the benefits of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace and are embracing AI where appropriate, to boost our productivity and streamline how we deliver our Council services efficiently; to provide the best possible outcomes for our residents and communities. However, we reserve the right to reject applications where it is apparent that AI-generated content has been used in isolation and without personalised responses. At Sutton we value authenticity and are looking for individuals who can clearly demonstrate their own skills, experience and motivation for the role that they are applying for and embrace and demonstrate our PRIDE values.

Here at Sutton we have core values of Transparency and this is to be demonstrated during the application process and completion of the supporting statement and will be further tested at interview and selection stage for those who progress forward.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received, it is strongly advised that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

As part of our award winning Diversity Programme we anonymise all applications received to reduce conscious and unconscious bias enabling every application to be reviewed on the knowledge, skills and experience shown in your application. We encourage our interview panels to be as diverse as possible (age, cultural, neurodiverse etc.) to reduce bias where possible. We are fully committed to removing barriers and enhancing the diversity of our workforce.

Additional Information

We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming Borough and we strive to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve, and instil a sense of belonging in our staff. We celebrate and respect differences and appreciate the value of having a diverse workforce, therefore we welcome applications from under represented groups.

To support our workers and their families we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums and inclusive staff networks who help drive our diversity agenda.

We are also proud to be a disability confident employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for a role. As an accredited London Living Wage Employer all our employees are guaranteed the London Living Wage regardless of their length or type of contract.

The UK has a points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance. Sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.

Financial Reporting Manager in Kingston upon Thames employer: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for HR professionals. With a focus on employee well-being, the organisation provides generous benefits such as extensive annual leave, enhanced family leave options, and health support, all while promoting a positive workplace culture. This role not only allows for hybrid working flexibility but also presents opportunities for professional growth within a dedicated team committed to fostering strong relationships with school leaders and staff.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

Contact Details:

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Financial Reporting Manager in Kingston upon Thames

Tap into Campus Networks

If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.

Get Certified

Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.

Connect on Professional Platforms

Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.

Apply Directly and Be Proactive

Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Financial Reporting Manager in Kingston upon Thames

Financial Reporting Expertise
Local Authority Accounting
CIPFA Code Knowledge
Statutory Reporting Frameworks
Collaborative Leadership
People Development
Coaching and Mentoring

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.

Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills

Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.

Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.

Network with Industry Professionals

Before your interview, reach out to current or former Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.