At a Glance
- Tasks: Support budget holders with monitoring, forecasting, and financial analysis to drive effective resource management.
- Company: Join Salford City Council, dedicated to improving services for residents through informed financial decision-making.
- Benefits: Opportunities for professional development and a chance to make a real impact in the public sector.
- Other info: Exciting time of transformation with a new finance system and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Be a trusted finance partner, helping shape financial strategies that benefit the community.
- Qualifications: Experience in management accounting and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About Us
At Salford City Council, we are committed to delivering high‑quality services that improve outcomes for our residents. Our Finance function plays a vital role in supporting informed decision‑making, protecting public funds, and ensuring value for money across the organisation. Our management accountancy teams work closely with services to understand how resources are used, identify financial risks early, and support sustainable delivery. Collaboration, constructive challenge, and forward‑looking financial insight sit at the heart of what we do. This is an exciting time to join Salford. We are implementing a new finance and procurement system, modernising the way we work and strengthening financial management across the Council.
About the Role
We currently have an Accountant vacancy within our Place Directorate. This post is firmly focused on management accounting and financial business partnering. It is not a transactional finance, treasury, or financial accounts role. The purpose of the role is to support budget holders to manage their resources effectively by providing robust budget monitoring, forecasting, and meaningful variance analysis, alongside constructive challenge and advice. You will work closely with managers to understand financial performance, explain variances, identify risks, and support decisions about spend and resources.
Core day to day activities will involve:
- Owning budget monitoring, forecasting and reforecasting for assigned service areas
- Producing clear and insightful variance analysis, explaining drivers rather than just reporting movements
- Working directly with budget holders to understand spend patterns, pressures, and resource plans
- Challenging assumptions, profiling, and value for money in a constructive and professional way
- Providing forward‑looking financial analysis to support operational and strategic decisions
- Identifying emerging financial risks early and supporting managers to take corrective action
- Supporting continuous improvement, including the implementation of the new finance and procurement system
This role involves regular engagement with non‑finance colleagues and requires confidence in explaining financial information clearly and pragmatically.
Not for you if you are primarily looking for:
- Accounts payable or accounts receivable roles
- Treasury or cash‑management‑focused positions
- Financial accounting, audit, or statutory reporting‑led roles
- Roles with limited stakeholder engagement or financial challenge
About You
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Strong management accounting experience, including budget setting, monitoring, forecasting, and variance analysis
- Experience working directly with budget holders or non‑finance managers
- Confidence to challenge financial assumptions and spending decisions in a supportive and evidence‑based way
- An ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insight
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- A proactive and collaborative approach to improving financial management and ways of working
(Desirable) Experience within a public sector finance environment, ideally local government, with an understanding of grant funding, regulatory frameworks and public sector financial processes. You may be fully qualified, part‑qualified, or actively working towards a professional accountancy qualification. We are happy to discuss development pathways for the right candidate.
What success looks like in this role
Within your first months, you will be a trusted finance partner to services—providing meaningful variance analysis, producing reliable forecasts, and helping managers understand and actively manage their financial position.
Contact and Application Information
To find out more about this role, please contact Paul Guest at: paul.guest@salford.gov.uk Please do not send CVs to this email address, as they will not be accepted. When applying, please ensure your supporting statement clearly sets out how your experience meets the requirements of the role, including examples of budget management, forecasting, and variance analysis.
Management Accountant & Finance Partner (Public Sector) employer: Salford Council
At Salford City Council, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values collaboration and professional growth. Our finance team plays a crucial role in shaping the future of public services, offering a supportive work culture where your insights directly impact community outcomes. With opportunities for continuous improvement and development, especially during our exciting transition to a new finance and procurement system, joining us means being part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Management Accountant & Finance Partner (Public Sector)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Salford City Council and its finance function. Understanding their goals and challenges will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local finance events. Building relationships can give you insider info about the role and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you would handle budget monitoring and variance analysis scenarios. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
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 the team at Salford City Council and ready to contribute to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Management Accountant & Finance Partner (Public Sector)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use specific examples of your budget management, forecasting, and variance analysis skills to show us you’re the right fit!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We want to see your skills and experiences shine through without any fluff. Clarity is key, especially when explaining complex financial concepts.
Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit:Since this role involves working closely with non-finance colleagues, make sure to mention any past experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with others. We love seeing how you can translate financial info into actionable insights for different teams!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Salford Council
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your management accounting skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with budget setting, monitoring, and variance analysis. Prepare specific examples that showcase how you've helped budget holders manage their resources effectively.
✨Speak Their Language
Since you'll be working closely with non-finance managers, practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Use relatable examples to demonstrate how your insights can support their decision-making and improve financial performance.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with various teams. Share instances where you’ve provided constructive challenge or advice to budget holders, and how that led to better financial outcomes. This will show that you’re not just a number cruncher but a valuable partner.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to identify financial risks. Think of scenarios where you had to challenge assumptions or provide forward-looking financial analysis. Be ready to explain your thought process and the impact of your actions.
