Finance Business Partner

Contract: full time, permanent.

Salary: £60,912 to £64,878 per annum, depending on experience.

Location: Wakefield.

Looking for a senior finance role where you can make a real impact on frontline policing. West Yorkshire Police is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Finance Business Partner to join the Finance and Commercial Services Directorate. This is a senior role, working closely with Districts, Departments and Directorates to ensure effective use of financial resources in support of operational and strategic objectives. You’ll act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing professional financial advice, constructive challenge and commercial insight. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant who enjoys working at pace, influencing decision‑making and making a tangible contribution to public services.

Role and Responsibilities

• Working within the Business Partnering Team, you will play a key role in linking finance with operational leadership, ensuring strong financial governance and value for money.
• Act as the primary finance contact for assigned Districts, Departments, Directorates or Business Units.
• Lead the planning, preparation and management of revenue and capital budgets.
• Monitor, forecast and report on financial performance, producing clear and insightful management information.
• Provide robust professional challenge and advice to Senior Leadership Teams.
• Support efficiency planning and benefits realisation, identifying opportunities for savings and service improvements.
• Contribute to medium‑term financial planning, including Force‑wide and Mayoral financial strategies.
• Represent the Finance and Commercial Services Directorate on strategic boards, project groups and partnership meetings.
• Translate complex financial information into clear, accessible insight for non‑financial stakeholders.
• Support, coach and mentor Senior Assistant Finance Business Partners, Assistant Finance Business Partners and Apprentice Accounting Technicians.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, audit requirements and public sector accounting standards.
• There may be occasional requirements to work flexibly to meet business and operational needs.

Essential Criteria

• A full CCAB accountancy qualification with significant post‑qualification experience.
• Proven experience of senior‑level budget management, financial planning and forecasting.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and present financial data clearly.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with confidence to challenge constructively.
• Experience working in a finance business partnering role supporting senior leaders.
• The ability to prioritise workload and work autonomously in a demanding environment.

Desirable Experience

• Public sector financial management and accounting.
• Supervisory or people management experience.
• Formal Finance Business Partner training or qualifications.

Benefits / What We Offer

• Generous annual leave allowance – 29 days annual leave, rising to 34 days after five years of service (plus bank holidays).
• Flexible working options, including agile working arrangements to help you manage professional and personal commitments.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a secure Defined Benefit CARE pension scheme.
• Membership options for the Police Treatment Centre and The Police Children’s Charity (eligibility‑dependent).
• Access to savings, discounts and cashback rewards through staff schemes, including eligibility to purchase a Blue Light Card.
• Option to sign up to the Cycle to work scheme (eligibility‑dependent).
• Access to a wide range of internal wellbeing services and support programmes.
• Opportunities for career development and training.
• Supportive HR policies, including maternity, paternity and other family‑friendly provisions.
• A meaningful career with a clear sense of purpose supporting policing services that protect communities.
• Opportunities to join staff networks, wellbeing groups, and sports clubs.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and a member of the Fair Work Charter.

For more information about what we offer: Employee Benefits.

How to Apply

Join us in supporting effective financial decision‑making across West Yorkshire Police. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your expertise in a role with real purpose and impact.

Closing date: Tuesday 5th May 2026 at 23:55 hours. The successful candidate will be subject to personal and financial vetting checks prior to appointment. Interviews will take place on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 May.