Head of Finance

Role - Head of Finance
Flexible hybrid working - 2 days office/3 days at home
Location - Leeds
Payrate - Upto 660 per day depending on experience.

3 months contract with a strong possibility of extension.

Job purpose & context :

As Head of Finance you will be responsible for managing the requirements of Grant Thornton, the Council’s external auditors, audit programme which details the key milestones that are required to be delivered in order that the Council can have its 2022/23 statement of accounts approved in September 2024. This role will require the post holder to work closely with Grant Thornton’s dedicated audit team that is ring fenced to the audit of the 2022/23 statement of accounts.

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 Grant Thornton.

Accountabilities:

· Manage, from the Council’s perspective, the requirements of Grant Thornton’s programme for their audit of the 2022/23 statement of accounts.

· Monitor progress against the Grant Thornton’s 2022/23 audit programme and highlight to management any slippage and why the slippage is occurring.

· Review all working papers to ensure that they meet the minimum standards expected by Grant Thornton.

· Support the preparation of, or changes to, working papers that support the statement of accounts.

· Attend the regular meetings with Grant Thornton and be responsible for following up any outstanding issues.

· Implement any changes to the statement of accounts and/or working papers as and when required.

· Produce regular reports to senior management detailing progress against the audit programme, identify any variances, understand why there are variations and identify actions to address any slippage.

· Apply Council Values and abide by all relevant policies and procedures in particular those relating to Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity, and Health & Safety

Skills, knowledge & experience:

· Responsible for ensuring compliance with both statutory financial requirements and relevant codes and regulations with regard to the production of a Council’s Statement of Accounts.

· Extensive knowledge of both statutory financial requirements and relevant codes and regulations with regard to the production of a Council’s Statement of Accounts.

· Manage competing priorities and where necessary be able to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities.

· Work closely with External Audit to ensure that their 2022/23 audit programme is delivered within the required timescales.

· Where required to be responsible for the management of resources in both the delivery of Grant Thornton’s 2022/23 audit programme and the production of the 2023/24 draft statement of accounts.

· Provide timely and accurate financial management updates and advice to the Senior Management.

· Identify and manage risk in relation to this area of work.

Qualifications & training:

· To both hold a relevant CCAB qualification or equivalent and have extensive experience of working at a senior level within a finance setting.

If you are interested , Please apply
Must have experience with local authority,
/ council/ borough - this is the must have requirement for this role