Westmorland and Furness Council is an ambitious authority that shapes public services for the better, building on the best and transforming them for the future. We are committed to putting our customers and communities first, and to be the heart of everything we do.
Westmorland and Furness Council is a modern and supportive employer, and we have both the technology and the commitment to allow our employees to work flexibly and efficiently.
About this opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and ambitious professional to join our Finance Team as a Group Accountant/Group Finance Manager (Children's Services) supporting our Children’s Directorate.
Our Finance Team provides financial management, reporting, accountancy, and advice to directors, heads of service, budget holders, elected Members, and stakeholders across the full range of services delivered by the Council.
Westmorland and Furness Council is a new council and is developing a great track record of training and support for staff and providing opportunities for personal career development.
Reporting to the Interim Senior Manager (Business Partnering), as a Group Accountant/Group Finance Manager, you will be responsible for a team of 11 staff who are passionate about finance business partnering, delivering support to the full budget cycle of budget development, including developing financial business cases for budget proposals; budget monitoring, including the ongoing review of savings delivery; and financial year-end through a mix of technical, operational, and strategic advice.
This ensures that managers across the organisation can effectively manage their budgets, make effective decisions, and develop and deliver transformational change projects. The role also ensures that the financial systems and the accounting information are robust.
As our Group Accountant/Group Finance Manager for Children’s Finance, you will be responsible for overall financial management and business partnering support for a gross budget of £265m (including DSG) across the following service areas:
Children’s Social Care
Early Help & Prevention
Education & Inclusion
Westmorland and Furness Council, like many other local authorities, is facing unprecedented challenges in terms of increasing demand for services and rising costs. Following LGR, a Council-wide change programme is underway to think and do things differently.
We now want to maximise our potential as a unitary council to improve our efficiency and effectiveness, working with residents in different ways to provide excellent services in a way that we can afford over the long term.
The Group Accountant/Group Finance Manager plays a key role in supporting managers to deliver financially sustainable services through the provision of high-quality financial information and advice. The role will involve working closely with the Children’s Services Leadership team, Senior Finance Officers, Schools, and Members.
Who are we looking for
We are looking for an ambitious and driven qualified Accountant, with the drive and commitment to support the Council move towards its objective of becoming Financially Sustainable. You will have extensive practical knowledge and application of budget preparation, monitoring, and year-end accounting practices, application of current accounting standards, and support to transformation projects.
You will have recent experience of Local Government and preferably have extensive experience of the Dedicated Schools Grant and Schools Funding as well as High Needs funding and deficit management.
Strong people management skills are required as this role is responsible for the management, motivation, and development of staff within the Finance Team in order to secure efficient performance of duties. You will be responsible for your own personal and professional development.
What can we offer you!
Excellent training and development offers
Flexible working opportunities
Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
Boost your pension with Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (facilitated by AVC Wise)
Various perks and discounts schemes, including money off your phone contract and local gyms
Competitive rates of pay
To apply please click the
Apply Now
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Apply Now
link below.
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