Finance Team Leader – Accounts Receivable; PO

Job Purpose

Proactively develop relationships and work with services and support functions to ensure proper processes are being followed and act as a point of contact for relevant Head of Service/Directors and suppliers. This includes continuous improvements in business support, communication, process design, dispute resolution and automation of tasks.

Lead and develop a pro‑active team of staff that take ownership, personal responsibility, accountability, are customer‑focused and work collaboratively with others in and outside of Finance to ensure outcomes are delivered.

Take proactive responsibility for the development of financial competence and awareness of the correct exchequer processes for end users within the Council, including compliance from them.

Lead, develop and drive the changing role of finance in becoming a service that is proactive, takes ownership and maximises benefit from technological changes, focuses on becoming a data‑led, value‑adding professional advisory and support function whilst also ensuring appropriate controls are in place in relation to transitional processing.

• Lead and manage Accounts Receivable and wider exchequer services, ensuring efficient billing, collections, debt management, and recovery.
• Deputise for the Head of Exchequer Services and provide specialist financial advice to senior managers and directors.
• Manage, develop, and motivate a team of up to 10 staff, including recruitment, performance management, appraisals, and development.
• Ensure financial systems and processes are fit for purpose, compliant, and continuously improved through automation and process redesign.
• Oversee delivery against key performance indicators, including timely payments, income collection, and debt recovery.
• Maintain robust financial controls to meet internal and external audit requirements and minimise financial risk and fraud.
• Build strong working relationships with internal services, suppliers, and external partners to resolve payment and income issues.
• Lead the effective use of financial systems and data to improve service delivery and decision‑making.
• Represent the Council at relevant external forums, benchmarking groups, and negotiations where required.

• Detailed knowledge of local government (or similar public sector) exchequer services, including accounts receivable, income control, and financial compliance.
• Proven experience leading and managing teams within a large, complex finance or exchequer function.
• Strong understanding of statutory financial controls, procurement, payment legislation, and VAT regulations.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to non‑financial stakeholders.
• Advanced IT skills, including financial systems (e.g. general ledger, purchasing, receivables) and Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Demonstrable experience delivering service improvements, business process redesign, and change management projects.
• Strong customer focus with the ability to manage suppliers and service users tactfully and professionally.
• Proven track record of maintaining high standards of financial control and governance.
• CCAB qualified (or equivalent), or actively studying towards a CCAB‑recognised qualification.

The role is 35 hours per week running from 23 February 2026 to 27 March 2026, with working hours of 09:00 to 17:30.