Finance Business Partner

Job Role - Finance Business Partner
Location - Bedfordshire
Job Type - Permanent
Salary - £65,000 - £72,000

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and technically strong Finance Business Partner to join their Finance Team and provide expert financial advice across the Council. This role has a strong technical focus, supporting compliance, governance, and high-quality financial reporting while working closely with services and senior stakeholders.

You will play a key role in ensuring the Council's financial practices align with statutory requirements, accounting standards, and best practice, while also supporting sound financial decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted finance partner, providing technical financial advice to services, managers, and senior officers
• Lead on the interpretation and application of local authority accounting standards, including CIPFA / IFRS requirements
• Support the preparation of statutory accounts, including working papers, disclosures, and audit liaison
• Provide expert input on complex accounting areas such as capital accounting, leases, grants, reserves, and provisions
• Ensure compliance with the Council's financial regulations, governance framework, and statutory duties
• Contribute to the development and review of financial policies, procedures, and controls
• Support budget setting, monitoring, and medium-term financial planning from a technical assurance perspective
• Work collaboratively with internal and external auditors, responding to queries and implementing recommendations
• Mentor and support colleagues, sharing technical knowledge across the finance team

About You

You will be a finance professional with strong technical expertise and the ability to communicate complex financial issues clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

You will have:

• A CCAB-qualified accountancy qualification (or equivalent)
• Significant experience in a local authority or public sector finance environment
• Strong knowledge of local government accounting, statutory reporting, and audit requirements
• Experience of providing technical financial advice on complex issues
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
• The ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels

Why Join Us?

• The opportunity to work on high-impact, technically challenging finance issues
• A supportive and collaborative finance team
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Ongoing professional development and training
• The chance to make a real difference to local communities