At a Glance
- Tasks: Support budget holders with monitoring, forecasting, and variance analysis to enhance financial management.
- Company: Join Salford City Council, dedicated to improving services for residents.
- Benefits: Opportunities for professional development and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be a trusted finance partner and help shape the future of public sector finance.
- Qualifications: Strong management accounting experience and excellent communication skills required.
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) in Swinton employer: Salford Council
At Salford City Council, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer dedicated to fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. Our Finance function is integral to the Council's mission, offering employees the opportunity to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts the community. With a focus on professional development and the implementation of innovative systems, we provide our staff with the tools and support needed for growth and success in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Management Accountant & Finance Partner (Public Sector) in Swinton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Salford City Council's recent projects and financial strategies. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your financial storytelling! Be ready to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms. This is key when engaging with non-finance colleagues, so make sure you can break down your insights clearly.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your collaborative spirit! Prepare examples of how you've worked with budget holders or managers in the past. Highlight your ability to challenge assumptions while still being supportive—this is what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Salford City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Management Accountant & Finance Partner (Public Sector) in Swinton
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 bridge the gap between finance and operations!
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.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since this role involves explaining complex financial information to non-finance colleagues, practice simplifying your explanations. Use clear, straightforward language and be prepared to demonstrate how you can translate financial data into actionable insights.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience working closely with managers and stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered collaboration in previous roles, especially when it comes to challenging financial assumptions and supporting decision-making.
✨Embrace Constructive Challenge
Prepare to discuss how you've approached constructive challenges in the past. Think of examples where you've provided evidence-based advice to budget holders, helping them understand financial pressures and make informed decisions about spending.
