Deputy Finance Business Partner (Children and Young People)

• Candidate_Pack_-_Resources_Directorate_-_Aug_2026
• Deputy_Finance_Business_Partner_CYP_-_JDPS_-_Nov_26

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please include a personal statement with your CV specifying why you are applying for this vacancy.

Ready to take the next step in your finance career?

Join Bracknell Forest Council as a Deputy Finance Business Partner and help shape financial decisions across education and children’s services.

This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with colleagues across Education, Children's Social Care and Early Help, providing financial insight and advice that helps shape decisions and deliver positive outcomes for children, young people and families.

At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service.

This role includes an expectation to work from our Time Square office a minimum of 1 to 2 days per week, alongside flexible working arrangements.

About you…

As a Deputy Finance Business Partner you will bring strong financial skills, a proactive approach and the confidence to build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels.

With experience of budget setting, monitoring and financial reporting, you will be able to interpret and communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively. You will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

A confident communicator, you will be comfortable working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, providing sound financial advice and using your expertise to support effective decision-making.

You will be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge and skills, taking on new challenges and contributing positively to the wider finance team.

To be considered for this role, you will need to be a minimum of part-qualified CCAB or CIMA, with relevant experience. If you currently hold CCAB or CIMA Level 1, or an equivalent qualification, we can provide study support to help you progress to CCAB or CIMA Level 2.

About the team…

You will join Bracknell Forest Council's friendly, supportive and busy Accountancy Team, which has an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality financial advice and support.

Our Finance Business Partners play an important strategic role, working closely with Directorate Management Teams, schools, budget managers and elected Members to ensure financial resources are managed effectively and services are supported to achieve their priorities.

You will work alongside experienced finance professionals who value collaboration, knowledge-sharing and continuous improvement. We are committed to supporting colleagues to develop their expertise and make a positive contribution to the Council.

Key responsibilities…

You will support financial planning and decision-making across Education, Children's Social Care and Early Help. Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead on the local funding formula for schools, providing technical expertise and advice on the management of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), including financial reporting and support to the Schools Forum.
• Lead on the preparation and submission of key government returns, including Section 251 Statements, SEND Reform templates and a range of revenue and capital grant returns.
• Ensure the effective delivery of the full budget cycle for your service areas, including budget preparation, monitoring, forecasting and reporting.

Our benefits…

• 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Paid employee volunteering scheme.
• Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
• Reimbursement of one annual professional subscription/registration.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
• Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.

Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.

Our values

At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.

Disability confident and inclusive recruitment

Bracknell Forest Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive employer. This means that if you tell us on your application form that you have a disability, are an armed forces veteran or are a care leaver, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification.

Interview date

Interviews are provisionally scheduled for Friday 4th December. Please note that this date may be subject to change.

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

Want to ask us a question?

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role, please contact:

Justin Hackney, Finance Business Partner – People’s Services: Justin.Hackney@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect everyone employed with us to share this commitment.

Applicants must have no criminal convictions relating to theft or fraud. Any offer of employment will also be subject to a satisfactory Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.

Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria. Please be aware that sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis.

No agencies please.