Are you an experienced finance professional looking to make a meaningful impact within local government? This is an opportunity to play a key role in delivering high-quality accountancy services, strengthening financial governance and supporting effective decision-making across a local authority.
As a Business Change Accountant, you will help ensure that financial services are professionally managed, operationally effective and aligned with the Council's strategic priorities. Working closely with Accountancy Business Change Managers, service managers and senior officers, you will provide expert financial guidance, oversee budgets and financial controls, and contribute to continuous improvement, value for money and long-term financial sustainability.
You will take responsibility for a defined area of the Council's accountancy service, which may include Children's and Adults Services, Corporate, Regulatory and Housing Services, Investment and Partnering Services, or Finance Stewardship functions.
This Business Change Accountant role is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who combines strong technical accounting expertise with leadership, stakeholder engagement and a commitment to public service.
Responsibilities of the Business Change Accountant
- Operational finance management: Take responsibility for the effective day-to-day delivery of an allocated area of the accountancy service, ensuring compliance with Council policies, financial procedures and the Council's medium-term financial objectives.
- Budget management and reporting: Lead or support budget setting, budget monitoring, financial forecasting and the closure of accounts, identifying variances, emerging risks and financial pressures.
- Financial advice and business partnering: Provide clear, evidence-based financial advice to service managers and senior officers, including preparing financial comments and guidance for reports and supporting informed operational and strategic decisions.
- Statutory compliance and governance: Support the Council in meeting its statutory Section 151 responsibilities by maintaining robust financial controls, promoting financial probity and ensuring that accounting practices comply with relevant legislation and regulations.
- Financial controls and processes: Oversee and undertake accounting activities such as reconciliations, treasury management processes, grant claims and statutory or other financial returns.
- Financial performance monitoring: Monitor the financial position of allocated services, identify issues that may affect the Council's overall financial stability and ensure that concerns are escalated promptly and appropriate corrective action is taken.
- Policy and procedure development: Work with Accountancy Business Change Managers to review and improve financial strategies, policies, procedures and systems in response to legislative changes, IT security requirements, emerging risks and public-sector best practice.
- Team leadership: Provide day-to-day management and support to allocated staff, normally no more than five, helping maintain high professional standards, effective performance and efficient use of resources.
- Service improvement and business change: Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, strengthen financial processes, encourage innovation and deliver better value for money across the Council.
- Audit and financial assurance: Respond to internal and external audit enquiries within agreed timescales and to the required standard, escalating suspected financial irregularities to the appropriate Corporate Anti-Fraud function.
- Staff development: Contribute to training, coaching and continuous professional development initiatives that strengthen the capability and long-term effectiveness of the finance service.
- Collaboration and representation: Support service reviews, appraisals of collaborative opportunities and cross-Council initiatives, and represent the Council at relevant regional or national professional forums where required.
- Stakeholder engagement and compliance: Maintain constructive relationships with internal stakeholders, protect confidential and personal information, and comply with relevant data protection, health and safety and other legislative requirements.
Skills and Background of the Business Change Accountant
Accounting and financial management experience of the Business Change Accountant
- Demonstrable experience in an accountancy, financial management or management accounting environment, with the technical knowledge required to manage complex financial activities.
- Experience of budget preparation, monitoring, forecasting, financial reporting and year-end accounting processes.
- A sound understanding of financial controls, reconciliations, treasury management, grant claims and financial returns.
- The ability to interpret financial information, identify risks and explain financial implications clearly to non-finance colleagues and senior stakeholders.
Governance and regulatory knowledge of the Business Change Acccountant
- Understanding of financial governance, accountability, audit requirements and the importance of maintaining effective internal controls.
- Knowledge of statutory and regulatory obligations relevant to public-sector finance, including the Council's Section 151 responsibilities.
- The ability to interpret changes in legislation, policies and professional guidance and apply them to operational financial practices.
- Experience of responding to audit enquiries, investigating financial issues and escalating suspected irregularities appropriately.
Leadership and service improvement experience of the Business Change Accountant
- Experience of supervising, supporting or managing staff and contributing to effective team performance.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines and manage sensitive or complex financial matters.
- A proactive approach to continuous improvement, with the ability to identify inefficiencies, develop practical solutions and support business change.
- A commitment to maintaining high professional standards, encouraging continuous learning and delivering reliable, customer-focused financial services.
Communication and stakeholder management experience of the Business Change Accountant
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear financial reports, briefings and recommendations.
- Confidence in providing professional advice to service managers, senior officers and other stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, supported by sound judgement, attention to detail and a commitment to financial integrity.
- The ability to build effective working relationships across different services and contribute positively to collaborative decision-making.
Desirable experience of the Business Change Accountant
- Experience working within a local authority or another public-sector finance environment.
- Familiarity with local government financial management arrangements, statutory reporting and public-sector governance.
- Experience of supporting service transformation, collaborative working or financial process improvement.
- Relevant accounting qualifications, professional training or progress towards a recognised accounting qualification, where appropriate to the Council's person specification.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
As a Business Change Accountant , you will have the opportunity to influence financial decision-making, support the delivery of essential public services and contribute to the Council's financial resilience.
You will work alongside experienced finance leaders and service managers in a role that combines technical accounting, operational leadership, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement.
If you bring sound financial judgement, a commitment to strong governance and the ability to translate financial information into practical action, this Business Change Accountant role offers an opportunity to make a tangible contribution to the effectiveness and sustainability of local public services.
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