Finance Business Partner

About the job Finance Business Partner

Each Business Partner is responsible for implementing the business partnering function for the specified service area within the relevant council. You will act as a partner with the service leadership teams to assist, challenge and support service plans and projects and assist with managing performance for the business partnering team.

The post-holders primary activity is to provide an effective Business Partnering function to the relevant council and to contribute to the development of the policies, activities and service improvements required to deliver the function. The post-holder will also contribute to, and matrix manage a team which supports business partnering, financial planning and accounting across all partner organisations.

Business Partners will work to ensure that finance staff deliver to customers in an efficient manner, within a professional business framework. The post holder will have a body of theoretical and practical knowledge commensurate with a fully-qualified accountant.

The post must support the councils leadership at all levels and develop a strategic and workable response to the financial challenges the council faces. The post holder will have a body of theoretical and practical knowledge with a CCAB or equivalent qualification.

• To proactively lead the financial advice and support to the defined service area particularly with reference to delivering savings.
• To ensure that financial information is relevant and balanced and is received by decision‑takers at the appropriate level.
• To work with services to ensure the accuracy of information input to systems and proper responses to system outputs.
• To work with managers to ensure they have the information and tools and develop the skills to manage their finances themselves.
• To lead, manage and motivate staff through excellent communication, professional guidance, support and development in accordance with the councils policies and procedures.
• To be customer‑focused and to develop self‑service underpinned by reducing finance support.
• To provide advice and support to Members, management board, directors and deputy directors on the full range of issues within the scope of the job.
• To support and contribute to joint working and matrix management within one Source.
• To ensure effective financial support to programmes and projects.

• Budget monitoring information which is accurate
• Managers who can carry out their own day‑to‑day financial management responsibilities with minimal input
• Member and officer level reports that are based on accurate financial information and robust financial analysis
• Programmes and projects that have effective financial support and which deliver on financial objectives

• Provision of and delivery of quality services ensuring a high level of service that is reflective of all customer needs and value for money
• Anticipates different customer needs delivering a customer focused shared service which is a cultural fit, is flexible and proactive in approach
• Delivers a resilient business, which continuously improves and innovates with healthy revenue streams
• Operates an ethos of joint working and operates across the board regardless of location
• Delivers capacity and capability to operate business as usual with the capacity and capability to innovate and project manage to support this
• Delivers a flexible and scalable platform to innovate, enhance market knowledge and continuously improve
• Invests in people and skills to deliver a sustainable business

• Director of Finance (one Source)
• Director of Finance (Bexley, Havering, Newham)
• Other managers for the matrix management of staff and maximising use of resources to undertake all financial work.
• Senior Management Team
• Internal audit
• External Audit
• Relevant partner organisations (e.g. NHS)
• Service directors and senior managers
• Other support services
• Cabinet portfolio holders

• Fully Qualified Accountant with a relevant Accountancy body, including but not limited to CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA…