At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial support for Children's Services and Schools, managing budgets and reporting.
- Company: Local Authority seeking an Interim Finance Business Partner.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, remote work, and a flexible contract length.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a market-leading referral scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's services while enhancing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Strong Local Authority finance experience and CCAB/CIMA qualification preferred.
Spencer Clarke Group are working closely with a Local Authority to appoint an Interim Finance Business Partner to lead financial support across Children's Services and Schools. This is a senior interim assignment supporting the full budget cycle, DSG reporting, statutory returns and high-quality budget monitoring across the Directorate.
What's on Offer
- Rate: £590 - £750 per day
- Contract length: 3-6 months initially
- Full-time Remote working
- Start: ASAP / subject to notice
The Role
The successful candidate will lead on financial support to Children's and Schools, working closely with the Directorate to provide robust advice, challenge and financial reporting.
Key responsibilities:
- Leading financial support across Children's Services and Schools.
- Managing the full budget cycle, including budget setting, monitoring and year-end activity.
- Producing high-quality budget monitoring information for senior stakeholders.
- Leading on DSG reporting and statutory returns.
- Providing robust challenge to service assumptions, forecasts and financial plans.
- Working closely with Directors, Heads of Service and budget holders to support effective decision-making.
- Leading and supporting a finance team to deliver timely, accurate financial advice.
About You
You will ideally have:
- Strong Local Authority finance experience across Children's Services and Schools.
- Proven experience of the full budget cycle within a Children's Directorate.
- Strong DSG reporting and statutory returns experience.
- Experience leading a team within a finance business partnering environment.
- Ability to challenge services confidently while maintaining strong working relationships.
- CCAB / CIMA qualification, or strong relevant experience.
How to Apply
If you are interested, please submit your CV along with your required day rate. If successful, a consultant will be in touch to discuss further details. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
We also offer a market-leading referral scheme of up to £300. If you know someone suitable, please ask them to email their CV to, including your details. T&Cs apply.
DSG Finance Business Partner (Interim) employer: Spencer Clarke Group
At Spencer Clarke Group, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. As an Interim Finance Business Partner, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Children's Services and Schools while enjoying the flexibility of full-time remote working. Our commitment to employee development and a supportive environment ensures that you can thrive in your role and contribute to the community effectively.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land DSG Finance Business Partner (Interim)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience with local authorities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about opportunities that might not even be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of DSG reporting and budget cycles. We recommend practising common interview questions related to financial support in children's services to show you're the right fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on roles that match your skills and experience. Use our website to find positions that align with your background in local authority finance – it’ll save you time and increase your chances of landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind for the hiring team. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and reinforces your interest in contributing to their financial strategies.
We think you need these skills to ace DSG Finance Business Partner (Interim)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Finance Business Partner. Highlight your experience in managing budgets and working with Children's Services, as this will show us you’re a great fit for the position.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; showcase how your skills align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can lead financial support and provide robust advice!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your experience and achievements quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll be one step closer to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spencer Clarke Group
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re well-versed in the financial details relevant to Children’s Services and Schools. Brush up on the full budget cycle, DSG reporting, and statutory returns. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a finance team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight your ability to provide robust advice and challenge assumptions while maintaining strong relationships. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively in a finance business partnering environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges related to budget monitoring or financial reporting. Think of scenarios where you’ve had to make tough decisions or provide critical feedback. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role requires close collaboration with Directors and Heads of Service. Be ready to discuss how you’ve worked with senior stakeholders in the past. Show that you understand the importance of effective communication and decision-making in financial contexts, and be prepared to share strategies for building those relationships.
