Head of Finance - Audit and Accounts - Local Council

Swift Placements are partnered with a local authority who are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Finance to join their local authority team based in Leeds. We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Head of Finance to lead the Audit and Accounts team within the local council. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all financial audit and accounting functions, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and providing strategic financial guidance to support the council's objectives.

In addition, you will support the closure of the 2023/24 final accounts so that draft accounts can be published within required deadlines as set out in the Accounts and Audit Regulations. Specifically, you will be responsible for coordinating the receipt of relevant working papers to support the statement of accounts and ensure that these are consistent with the requirements of the Council’s external auditors.

Please note: The successful candidate must have previous local authority experience.

The package:

Monday to Friday

Location: Leeds

6-month FTC (Could be extended) - Pending permanent recruitment for this post for the local authority

Role required ASAP!

Flexible Hybrid working- 1 days in the office/ 4 days working from home.

Role required until mid-Summer this year.

Rate per day: £600- £800 Neg DOE!

28 days holiday entitlement annually plus all Bank Holidays.

Generous pension contributions

Health and wellbeing scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted gym membership and fitness classes

Ride to work scheme.

Free eye tests

Free flu jabs

Free travel card

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Strategy: Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with the goals and objectives of the local authority, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and efficiency.
• Audit Management: Lead and manage the audit process for the council, including coordinating with external auditors, overseeing internal audit functions, and ensuring compliance with auditing standards and regulatory requirements.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Lead the budgeting and forecasting processes, working closely with department heads to establish realistic financial plans and monitor performance against budget targets.
• Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation and distribution of accurate and timely financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with regulatory requirements and accounting standards.
• Financial Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations, laws, and standards, including but not limited to GAAP, GASB, and local government financial regulations.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate financial risks through the development and implementation of robust risk management policies and procedures.
• Team Leadership: Provide strong leadership and direction to the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Financial Analysis: Conduct financial analysis to support decision-making processes, identify areas for cost savings and efficiency improvements, and evaluate the financial impact of proposed initiatives and projects.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; master’s degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CFA) preferred.
• Must be a qualified accountant.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Extensive knowledge of financial principles, practices, and regulations relevant to local government finance.
• Proven experience in budgeting, financial reporting, and audit management.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and communicate findings effectively.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a high-performing team.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

If this role is of interest, please contact Arsalan Mohammed at Swift Placements.