The Roles

Senior Financial Controller

From £56,901 to £70,787 per annum (Grade M)

Are you an experienced finance professional looking for a new challenge within a dynamic and supportive organisation? West Berkshire Council is seeking a Senior Financial Controller to join our Finance Service, reporting to the Service Lead for Financial Reporting & Property. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the financial management and governance of a leading local authority.

The Role

As the Senior Financial Controller, you will play a key role in ensuring the effective financial management and reporting of the Council's services. Your main responsibilities will include:

• Leading a team of finance professionals to deliver high-quality financial processing, reporting and analysis
• Providing financial advice and support to project teams, senior managers and members
• Contributing to the annual budget setting process and periodic budget reviews
• Leading on the production of statutory financial statements and liaising with external auditors
• Implementing and maintaining effective financial control framework within the organisation

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:

• Qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with extensive post-qualification experience in a finance role
• Previous experience working in a public sector or local authority environment is desirable
• Strong technical accounting skills and knowledge of financial reporting standards
• Excellent leadership and people management abilities
• Effective stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate financial information to non-finance professionals
• Proactive and solution-oriented approach to problem-solving
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using financial management systems

We are ideally looking to offer the successful candidate the full number of hours advertised above. We may however consider offering less hours than advertised providing they meet the requirements of the role and service which will be determined by the recruiting manager. Please note that we would consider a part time role with a minimum of 29.6 hours per week.

West Berkshire Council offer excellent employment benefits such as:

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-19.00
• Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
• Generous Local Government pension scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A range of local discounts
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
• You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 30 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

This post is a Sensitive Post for the purpose of the Local Government Housing Act 1989 and the post-holder is therefore restricted from engaging in any prescribed political activities. In summary, this means that you are prohibited from holding political office and from involvement in any political activity within or outside the workplace. Full details of the restrictions can be found in the Council’s Policy and Guidance on Politically Restricted Posts.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact our retained consultant at Penna: Andreas Efthymiou, on 07546 415 794 or email: Andreas.Efthymiou@Penna.com

Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

Service Lead – Financial Management

From £73,294 to £79,974, per annum (Grade N)

Are you an experienced and dynamic leader in financial management and service delivery, looking for an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a forward-thinking local authority?

West Berkshire Council is seeking a Service Lead for Financial Management, to join our Finance and Property Service, reporting to the Service Director Finance, Property & Procurement.

The Role

As the Service Lead for Financial Management, Revenues & Benefits, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective management and delivery of financial services across the Council. You will be responsible for leading a team of dedicated professionals, overseeing the financial management of key services including revenues, benefits, and payroll.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting
• Leading and motivating a team to deliver high-quality financial services
• Providing expert financial advice and guidance to service leads and senior managers
• Overseeing the operation of the revenues and benefits service, ensuring compliance with legislation and delivering excellent customer service
• Managing external relationships with HMRC and other relevant organisations

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and attributes:

• Extensive experience in financial management within a local authority or similar environment
• A proven track record of leading and managing teams to deliver high-quality services
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and advise at all levels
• In-depth knowledge of financial legislation, regulations, and best practices
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

West Berkshire Council offer excellent employment benefits such as:

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-19.00
• Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
• Generous Local Government pension scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A range of local discounts
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
• You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 30 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

This post is a Sensitive Post for the purpose of the Local Government Housing Act 1989 and the post-holder is therefore restricted from engaging in any prescribed political activities. In summary, this means that you are prohibited from holding political office and from involvement in any political activity within or outside the workplace. Full details of the restrictions can be found in the Council’s Policy and Guidance on Politically Restricted Posts.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact our retained consultant at Penna: Andreas Efthymiou, on 07546 415 794 or email: Andreas.Efthymiou@Penna.com

Join us at West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our community while advancing your career.

Explore everything that a career with West Berkshire Council has to offer here: Working with Us

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

Service Lead – Financial Reporting

Location: Market Street – Newbury

Salary: From £73,294 to £79,974, per annum (Grade N)

Are you an experienced finance professional with a passion for property and financial reporting? Do you thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment? If so, West Berkshire Council has an exciting opportunity for you to join our Finance and Property Service as a Service Lead for Financial Reporting.

As the Service Lead, you will play a crucial role in supporting the Service Director Finance, Property & Procurement in the effective management and delivery of financial reporting and property services.

You will be responsible for leading a team of dedicated professionals, ensuring the accurate and timely production of financial reports and statements, as well as overseeing property-related matters within the Council.

To excel in this role, you should have:

• A strong background in finance, with extensive knowledge of financial reporting standards and regulations.
• You should also possess excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience in property management or an understanding of property-related legislation would be advantageous.

West Berkshire Council offer excellent employment benefits such as:

• Flexible working wherever possible between the hours of 07.00-19.00
• Hybrid working wherever possible working 40% in the office
• Access to a wide range of training and development opportunities
• Generous Local Government pension scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A range of local discounts
• Wellbeing Programme including Employee Assistance Programme and employee benefits
• You will also be entitled to a generous annual leave entitlement starting at 30 days per annum (plus public holidays) Rising by an additional 5 days after 5 years’ service.

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Join West Berkshire Council and make a positive impact in our local community. We look forward to welcoming you to our team.

Equal Opportunities

The Council supports Equal Opportunity of employment, and positively encourages applications from people who fall within any of the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact our retained consultant at Penna: Andreas Efthymiou, on 07546 415 794 or email: Andreas.Efthymiou@Penna.com