Financial Controller in Leeds

Please note that the Combined Authority will consider requests for part-time working and/or job share. We currently have a vacancy for a Financial Controller to join our Finance Team. We are seeking an experienced and strategic Financial Controller to lead and strengthen our corporate finance function at a pivotal time of growth and change. You will be responsible for ensuring robust financial governance across financial accounting, payroll, treasury, payments and financial systems, while providing expert technical advice and insight to stakeholders across the organisation. This is a high-impact role requiring strong leadership, excellent technical accounting knowledge and a proactive approach to continuous improvement, helping to ensure our financial controls, processes and systems are resilient, compliant and fit for the future. This post is subject to vetting clearance.

Due to the nature of this role, it is a requirement that the successful applicant will be subject to relevant vetting checks at the appropriate level and any job offer will be conditional subject to successful vetting clearance. Applicants should be aware that it is not possible to make meaningful vetting enquiries in many jurisdictions outside the UK. Vetting clearance cannot therefore be granted if the applicant has not been resident in the UK for the relevant minimum period and comparable vetting enquiries cannot be made in jurisdictions where the individual has been residing. The relevant periods are three years for NPPV 1&2 and five years for NPPV3.

The Offer:

• Work your way – From flexible and agile working options, including a generous flexi-time scheme to help you balance your personal life and career.
• Time to recharge – Enjoy 28 days of annual leave (with increases based on length of service), plus all Bank Holidays.
• Free greener travel across West Yorkshire – Cover your commute sustainably with unlimited free bus and rail travel using the MCard (Zones 1–5).
• Secure your future – Benefit from a highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Investing in you – Take advantage of fully funded professional development, regular training, and up to 3 paid volunteering days per year.
• Grow with us – Incremental salary progression for most roles and annual cost of living increases.
• Family first – We offer enhanced parental and bereavement leave, plus other family-friendly policies to support you when it matters most.
• Your wellbeing, our priority – Access 24/7 free confidential counselling services and the Headspace app for you and up to 5 family or friends.
• Modern workspace in a prime location – Work in bright, contemporary offices just a 2-minute walk from Leeds Train Station, fully equipped with the latest tech.

The Role:

Reporting into the Head of Finance, your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead and manage the corporate finance team, ensuring the provision of high-quality financial record keeping, controls and procedures.
• Lead the production of group statutory accounts and returns in accordance with professional standards.
• Provide expert technical advice to senior stakeholders on a range of finance matters including financial modelling on debt and capital, taxation and audit.

Please review the Role Profile for more information about the responsibilities.

About You:

You will have the following key skills, attributes, education and experience:

• Holds a degree or has equivalent relevant experience in Local Authority financial accounting.
• CCAB or CIMA member.
• Significant practical experience of successfully performing in a similar role.
• Strong systems knowledge and understanding of effective financial controls and management and significant experience of applying and managing these in a complex financial environment.
• Extensive experience of interpreting local government funding and financing regulations as applied to treasury management and statutory accounting activities, and related reporting standards, CIPFA Code and Prudential Codes, and applying these practically.

To Apply:

If this sounds like your next role, please complete the application form and tell us within the supporting statement why you would be a great fit for our role and how your skills, knowledge and experience align with the requirements under the ‘About You’ section of the advert and criteria within the Role Profile. Please visit our Advice for Candidates webpage and review the guidance on this page for support in completing your application form. If you would like to discuss this role in more detail, please contact the Recruitment Team via recruitment@westyorks-ca.gov.uk who will pass your request to a member of the Finance team.

Further Information:

The Combined Authority is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro divergent. To find out more about inclusivity at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority please visit our dedicated webpage. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.