Location: Bedford, United KingdomContract: Interim
About the role
Our client, a local authority, is looking for a Finance Business Partner to join them in Bedford on an interim basis. The role provides financial advice and support to managers and budget holders, helping services plan, manage and monitor their budgets and make sound decisions on how resources are used.
You will work closely with heads of service and budget holders, translating financial information into clear, practical guidance. The position suits an experienced finance professional who is comfortable working independently, challenging constructively and building strong relationships across a local government setting.
The successful candidate will bring sound technical knowledge of local authority finance, good judgement and clear communication. This is a hands‑on assignment where your experience will be put to work from the outset.
Main responsibilities
- Act as the main finance contact for service areas, providing clear financial advice and support
- Prepare, monitor and forecast revenue and capital budgets
- Contribute to the annual budget setting process and the medium‑term financial plan
- Prepare and present financial reports for management, committees and elected members
- Provide financial analysis and challenge to support service planning, savings proposals and business cases
- Support budget holders to understand their financial position and manage risk
- Contribute to the closure of accounts and the production of the statement of accounts
- Support the delivery of grant claims, returns and other statutory reporting
- Work with colleagues across finance, procurement and services to improve financial processes and controls
- Support and guide budget holders and less experienced finance colleagues
Requirements
- A CCAB accountancy qualification (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW or equivalent), or part qualified with relevant experience
- Relevant experience in a finance business partnering or similar role, ideally within local government
- Sound knowledge of local authority finance, including budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting
- Experience advising managers and presenting financial information to non-finance audiences
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to turn complex data into clear recommendations
- Experience of budget setting, monitoring and the year‑end closedown processExcellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Competence with finance systems and advanced Excel
- The ability to work from the council’s offices in Bedford
The offer
- An interim role based in Bedford
- Duration and rate to be confirmed with candidates
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