Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a finance team, manage budgets, and ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Company: Join West Berkshire Council, a dynamic and supportive local authority.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible and hybrid working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance while developing your finance career.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with public sector experience preferred; strong leadership and Excel skills required.
- Other info: Part-time options available; apply early as the vacancy may close sooner.
The predicted salary is between 56901 - 70787 £ per year.
Are you an experienced finance professional looking for a new challenge within a dynamic and supportive organisation? West Berkshire Council is seeking a Senior Financial Controller to join our Finance Service, reporting to the Service Lead for Financial Reporting & Property. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the financial management and governance of a leading local authority.
The Role
As the Senior Financial Controller, you will play a key role in ensuring the effective financial management and reporting of the Council's services. Your main responsibilities will include:
- Leading a team of finance professionals to deliver high-quality financial processing, reporting and analysis
- Providing financial advice and support to project teams, senior managers and members
- Contributing to the annual budget setting process and periodic budget reviews
- Leading on the production of statutory financial statements and liaising with external auditors
- Implementing and maintaining effective financial control framework within the organisation
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:
- Qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with extensive post-qualification experience in a finance role
- Previous experience working in a public sector or local authority environment is desirable
- Strong technical accounting skills and knowledge of financial reporting standards
- Excellent leadership and people management abilities
- Effective stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate financial information to non-finance professionals
- Proactive and solution-oriented approach to problem-solving
- Advanced Excel skills and experience using financial management systems
West Berkshire Council offer excellent employment benefits such as:
- Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-19.00
- Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
- Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
- Generous Local Government pension scheme
- Family friendly policies
- A range of local discounts
- Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
- You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 30 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
This post is a Sensitive Post for the purpose of the Local Government Housing Act 1989 and the post-holder is therefore restricted from engaging in any prescribed political activities. In summary, this means that you are prohibited from holding political office and from involvement in any political activity within or outside the workplace. Full details of the restrictions can be found in the Council's Policy and Guidance on Politically Restricted Posts.
For further information or an informal discussion about this role, please contact Andreas Efthymiou at our recruitment partner Penna on Tel: 07546 415 794 or Email: andreas.efthymiou@penna.com
Interview Dates
Technical Interview: W/C 9 th June
Final Interview: Thursday 19 th June (in person in Newbury)
How to apply
To apply for this role, please submit your application using the following link: https://www.westberkshirefinanceroles.co.uk/
Equal Opportunities
The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Senior Financial Controller - 01660 employer: West Berkshire Council
Contact Detail:
West Berkshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Controller - 01660
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the financial management practices specific to local authorities. Understanding the unique challenges and regulations in this sector will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals already working in public sector finance roles. Attend relevant events or join online forums to gain insights and potentially get referrals that could boost your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership experience in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved financial processes, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research West Berkshire Council's recent financial reports and initiatives. Being knowledgeable about their current projects will demonstrate your genuine interest in the organisation and the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Financial Controller - 01660
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a CCAB qualified accountant and showcases your extensive post-qualification experience. Emphasise any previous roles in public sector finance to align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your leadership experience and ability to manage financial reporting and analysis. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you can contribute to the financial management of West Berkshire Council.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on your technical accounting skills, advanced Excel proficiency, and experience with financial management systems. Mention your stakeholder management abilities and how you communicate complex financial information to non-finance professionals.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you submit your application through the specified link and include all required documents. Double-check for any specific instructions regarding format or additional materials to avoid any issues during the review process.
How to prepare for a job interview at West Berkshire Council
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Financial Controller, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to inspire and guide others.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Make sure you brush up on your technical accounting skills and financial reporting standards. Be ready to answer questions that test your knowledge in these areas, as well as discuss how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles, especially in a public sector context.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Effective communication with non-finance professionals is key in this role. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated complex financial information to stakeholders. This will show your ability to bridge the gap between finance and other departments.
✨Be Solution-Oriented
The ideal candidate is proactive and solution-oriented. Prepare to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached problem-solving. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and find effective solutions in a dynamic environment.
