Corporate Finance Manager

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To provide hands-on leadership and technical expertise across the Council’s corporate finance function, ensuring the effective delivery of all core accounting, financial reporting, treasury, taxation and statutory finance requirements.

The postholder will be responsible for managing and, where required, directly undertaking a broad range of corporate finance activities expected within a District or Borough Council. This is a highly hands-on role requiring a technically strong, fully qualified accountant who can quickly understand the Council’s financial operations, work closely with internal stakeholders and ensure the accurate and timely delivery of statutory and operational finance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and undertake the preparation of the Council’s Statement of Accounts, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards, statutory requirements and deadlines.
  
• Manage and support the external audit process, including responding to audit queries, preparing supporting information and ensuring the timely resolution of audit issues.
  
• Oversee and undertake VAT accounting, returns, reconciliations and related compliance requirements.
  
• Manage Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) processes and returns.
  
• Maintain and oversee the Fixed Asset Register, ensuring accurate accounting records and appropriate reconciliation to the financial ledger.
  
• Oversee Accounts Payable processes, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant processing of payments.
  
• Lead Treasury Management and Banking activities, including cash management, banking arrangements, reconciliations and monitoring of the Council’s financial position.
  
• Prepare and monitor cash flow forecasts, ensuring effective management of the Council’s liquidity and financial resources.
  
• Complete and oversee statutory and financial returns, including Delta returns and Whole of Government Accounts (WGA).
  
• Provide hands-on technical accounting advice and support across the organisation.
  
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity and completeness of financial records, reconciliations and reporting.
  
• Identify and resolve technical accounting issues and provide practical solutions to complex financial matters.
  
• Work closely with senior officers, finance colleagues, external auditors and other stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of corporate finance requirements.
  
• Review existing processes and implement improvements to enhance efficiency, financial control, compliance and value for money.
  
• Support the Council with any other corporate finance, accounting or statutory requirements that arise.
  
• Take responsibility for the full range of normal corporate finance activities expected within a District or Borough Council.
  

Requirements

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant with a recognised professional accountancy qualification (e.g. CCAB, CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
  
• Significant and recent experience working in a District or Borough Council environment.
  
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and substantial hands-on experience across local authority corporate finance.
  
• Proven experience preparing and/or reviewing local authority Statements of Accounts.
  
• Strong experience supporting and managing external audit processes.
  
• Practical knowledge and experience of VAT and CIS within a local authority environment.
  
• Experience managing or maintaining a Fixed Asset Register.
  
• Experience of Accounts Payable and associated financial controls and processes.
  
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of Treasury Management, banking and cash flow management.
  
• Experience completing local government statutory and financial returns, including WGA and Delta returns.
  
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of a broad range of corporate finance responsibilities.
  
• Strong technical accounting and analytical skills, with the ability to investigate and resolve complex financial issues.
  
• Ability to quickly understand existing processes, systems and financial arrangements and identify areas requiring attention.
  
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with senior officers, finance teams, auditors and other stakeholders.
  
• Ability to work effectively in a demanding environment and manage competing priorities.
  
• This is a hands-on technical role, rather than a purely managerial position; candidates must be willing and able to undertake detailed finance and accounting work themselves.
  

Additional Information

• Hours: 37 Hours
  
• Location: Rugby, Warwickshire – hybrid working
  
• Initial On-Site Requirement: At least 4 days per week on site for the first couple of weeks to understand the Council’s operations and meet key stakeholders.
  
• Ongoing On-Site Requirement: Approximately 2–3 days per week on site, depending on business needs.
  
• Bi-Weekly Payments