At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management for transformative projects in a dynamic local government setting.
- Company: Join a supportive local government organisation focused on impactful transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and a chance to shape financial strategies.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public finance while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified accountant with experience in programme finance.
Rate: £550 - £650 per day - Outside IR35
Location: Dorset - hybrid working - 1 day per week on site
Contract: 6 months +
Overview of the Transformation Programme Accountant role
Sellick Partnership is pleased to be supporting a local government organisation in their search for a Transformation Programme Accountant for an initial 6 month contract. The Transformation Accountant provides senior financial leadership across two major areas:
- The ERP Transformation Programme - managing the full programme budget, financial governance, cost control and forecasting across all ERP lifecycle phases (design, build, test, cutover, go-live, hypercare).
- The whole council Transformation Portfolio - leading financial planning, monitoring and reporting for the organisation's broader transformation activity, ensuring alignment and clear traceability back to the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP).
As a qualified finance professional, the postholder ensures all programme and portfolio activity is financially robust, compliant with internal processes, and supported by accurate, timely and strategic financial insight. They will work collaboratively with Finance Business Partners, PMO, Benefits Realisation colleagues and Programme Managers to maintain financial discipline and governance across multiple workstreams.
Key responsibilities of the Transformation Programme Accountant will include:
- Budget Definition & Baseline Control: Establish and maintain budget baselines for both the ERP Programme and Transformation Portfolio. Build and maintain the cost breakdown structure (CBS) including internal resources, suppliers, and contingency. Maintain budget version control and phased forecasting aligned to programme plans and milestones.
- Actuals Tracking & Month-End Control: Reconcile actuals through council finance systems, ensuring accurate allocation to workstreams and cost categories. Produce monthly variance analysis with clear narrative and recommended actions. Support the year end cycle including accruals, prepayments and recharges.
- Forecasting (ETC / EAC): Own the programme and portfolio Forecast to Complete (ETC) and Estimate at Completion (EAC). Work with PMO and Workstream Leads to refine assumptions, phasing, and cost drivers. Quantify financial impacts of risks, delays, scope changes or extensions.
- Supplier Spend Governance & Invoice Assurance: Maintain supplier spend trackers and invoice logs for SI partners and all vendors. Validate invoices against contractual terms, POs, milestones, deliverables and agreed rates. Track commitments and remaining contract values to support forward planning. Maintain audit ready documentation for all approvals and spend decisions.
- Change Control Financial Management: Maintain a financial impact log for all Change Requests (CRs). Support the Change Control Board (CCB) with affordability analysis and funding recommendations. Update budgets, forecasts, POs and reporting following CR approval.
- Programme Financial Reporting: Produce monthly finance packs for programme board, TMO and steering group. Provide clear narrative explaining variances, forecast movements, risks, mitigations and decisions required. Maintain dashboards and KPIs to monitor financial health.
- Controls, Audit & Assurance: Maintain complete audit ready evidence packs including approvals, reconciliations and spend assurance. Support internal/external audit requests. Ensure compliance with financial policies, processes, and programme governance standards.
- Benefits Tracking Support: Provide cost evidence to support benefits realisation and business case tracking. Report programme spend to date and cost to achieve benefits.
Required experience/qualifications for the Transformation Programme Accountant:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
- Programme/Project Finance experience within local government or wider public sector
- Forecasting, modelling and reconciliations experience
- Advanced Excel
- ERP Programme finance experience
How to apply for the Transformation Programme Accountant position:
If you believe you have the required experience and qualifications outlined above for the Transformation Programme Accountant opportunity, please apply within. Alternatively, if you would like a confidential chat about the role or organisation, please contact Kathryn Evans in the Sellick Partnership office to find out more.
Sellick Partnership is proud to be an inclusive and accessible recruitment business and we support applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances.
Transformation Programme Accountant in Dorchester employer: Sellick Partnership Careers
As a Finance Business Partner with our public sector organisation, you will thrive in a supportive and inclusive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. Enjoy the benefits of hybrid working, high-profile stakeholder engagement, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on strategic decision-making within a varied and rewarding environment. Join us to enhance your career while contributing to the improvement of financial management and organisational performance.
Contact Details:
Sellick Partnership Careers Recruitment Team
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