Finance Analyst

Job Description

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking a Finance Analyst to join the Finance Directorate. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional to play a key role in supporting effective financial management and decision-making across the Council. Reporting to the Finance Manager, the postholder will provide high-quality financial analysis, professional advice and business partnering support to service managers, budget holders and senior leaders, helping to drive financial sustainability and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting budget setting, financial monitoring, forecasting and year-end processes across a range of service areas. You will analyse complex financial information, identify risks and opportunities, and provide clear, evidence-based advice that supports informed decision-making. Working closely with budget holders and operational managers, you will help strengthen financial management practices, improve understanding of financial performance and ensure compliance with corporate policies, financial regulations and statutory requirements.

This varied and rewarding role offers opportunities to contribute to financial planning, system development, process improvement and transformational projects across the organisation. You will prepare reports, grant claims, working papers and audit information, while helping to improve financial controls and governance. The ideal candidate will combine strong technical finance skills with excellent analytical ability, communication skills and a proactive approach to problem solving, enabling them to add value across a complex and dynamic local government environment

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience providing financial analysis, support and advice within a finance or accounting environment
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and identify key trends
• Experience supporting budget setting, financial monitoring, forecasting and year-end processes
• Ability to explain financial information clearly and confidently to non-finance managers and stakeholders
• Experience of using financial systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to use initiative and professional judgement to resolve financial issues
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to strict deadlines
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with a commitment to continuous improvement, financial governance and high-quality customer service
• AAT qualification, part-qualified CCAB status (or equivalent), or significant relevant finance experience

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/ Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn