Finance Business Partner

As a Finance Business Partner, you will be at the heart of driving financial accountability and cost control within key directorates. You'll provide vital oversight, assurance, and challenge, ensuring effective financial management and informed decision-making. This role allows you to directly influence both direct and indirect costs while working within a supportive and dynamic CFO Directorate. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, providing high-quality insights to ensure value for money in a multi-billion-pound programme. This is an exciting opportunity to shape financial strategy, enhance performance, and contribute to the successful delivery of transformative projects.

As a Finance Business Partner, you will need to have/be:

Skills:

• Strong communication: Able to explain complex financial issues to non-financial colleagues and ensure compliance with public finance regulations.
• Stakeholder management: Engage and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders, including at the executive level.
• Influencing: Capable of influencing key decisions.
• Forecasting: Critically review and challenge forecasts for affordability, value for money, timing, and programme impact.
• Technical skills: Proficient in ERP systems, data analytics, and advanced Excel models.
• Financial control: Ensure robust financial controls for major projects.

Knowledge:

• Qualified accountant with experience in complex environments.
• Understanding of government accounting requirements (e.g., DEL/AME funding) for compliance within delegated authority.
• Knowledge of accounting systems and ability to manage off-system analyses.

Experience:

• Experience in developing output-focused, activity-based budgets and forecasts.
• Supporting annual business planning and budgeting within funding limits.
• Qualified accountant with experience in complex environments, including infrastructure projects.
• Provided financial support to programme and directorate teams.

Details:

• Salary: £47, 450 - £71, 160
• Working Hours: Full Time, Monday to Friday
• Location: Hybrid/Birmingham
• Duration: Permanent

Role of Finance Business Partner:

• Corporate Governance/Managing Public Money:
  • Advise on governance within the area.
  • Represent the CFO at monthly review meetings.
  • Review and endorse Change and Investment Papers, assessing risks, opportunities, and programme impacts.
  • Serve as a representative on investment change panels.
  • Ensure reported expenditure and contract payments are appropriate for senior management.
• IFRS Accounting/National Audit Office (NAO):
  • Contribute to policy and enterprise reporting development.
  • Provide guidance on IFRS accounting treatments (e.g., prepayments, accruals).
  • Justify and support accounting adjustments to NAO auditors.
• Financial Reporting/Month & Year End:
  • Oversee month-end financial close and prepare accounts for year-end audit.
  • Perform monthly contract spend analytics, challenge budget holders, and provide variance commentary.
  • Review and ensure quality of Programme Board Packs.
• Funding/Cash Flow:
  • Review and challenge forecasts against Spending Review funding.
  • Recommend remedial actions as needed.
  • Improve Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) and cash flow data with supply chain finance teams.
  • Develop cash flow forecasts and challenge supply chain submissions.
• Business Planning/Forecasting:
  • Support business planning and forecasting, ensuring cost data reliability.
  • Provide guidance on planning principles and expectations.
• Budget Management:
  • Help determine budget disaggregation and delegations.
  • Support system changes and reporting for effective budget management.
• Workforce Costs & Indirects:
  • Provide workforce cost and forecast data for programme estimates.
  • Challenge budget holders to meet workforce goals and optimise resources.

Benefits of working as a Finance Business Partner:

• a competitive pension scheme, with up to 12 per cent employer contributions
• a starting salary that reflects your skills and experience
• a cash allowance in lieu of benefits, which means you can choose which benefits are right for you and your family
• core company funded benefits such as life assurance, income protection and health cash plan
• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays
• access to tax-efficient voluntary benefits scheme & retail, health, leisure, and travel offers
• access to an Employee Assistance Program
• financial and health well-being programmes