Finance Manager

Job Description

Are you a qualified finance professional with strong business partnering skills and experience of supporting complex public sector services? Harrow Council is seeking an experienced and proactive Finance Manager to join the Finance Division and play a key role in supporting the delivery of the Council’s financial strategy, medium-term financial planning and financial sustainability.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will provide high-quality financial advice, challenge and support to Directors, Heads of Service and budget holders across a designated service area. Acting as a trusted business partner, you will help services achieve their objectives while ensuring sound financial management, robust governance and value for money. The role will lead on financial planning, budget monitoring, forecasting and financial reporting, supporting both revenue and capital programmes. You will provide independent scrutiny of financial forecasts and business cases, challenge assumptions, identify risks and opportunities, and ensure that financial information supports effective decision-making across the organisation.

You will also play a leading role in corporate financial activities, including budget setting, financial monitoring, year-end processes, statutory returns and the development of the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy. In addition, you will contribute to transformation programmes, system improvements and cross-council projects that strengthen financial management and support organisational improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys working collaboratively with senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making and helping to shape the future of local government services through sound financial leadership.

Why join Harrow?

At Harrow, we are proud to be a diverse, ambitious and resident-focused council. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where our people can thrive, develop their careers and make a meaningful difference to the communities we serve. In return, you will have the opportunity to work alongside talented professionals, contribute to important corporate priorities, support our climate ambitions and help shape the future of local government finance. If you are looking for a rewarding role where your expertise will be valued and your contribution recognised, we would love to hear from you.

Please note that the interviews are scheduled to take place w/c 17th August 2026.

You will be a fully qualified CCAB accountant with significant experience in financial management, business partnering and providing strategic financial advice within a complex organisation. Ideally, you will have a strong understanding of local authority finance, including budgeting, medium-term financial planning, capital programmes and the wider legislative framework. You will be confident working with senior leaders and elected members, offering constructive challenge and influencing decision-making through clear financial insight and professional advice. A collaborative and proactive leader, you will be committed to developing others, driving continuous improvement and ensuring high standards of financial governance, accountability and customer-focused service delivery.

We are looking for someone who has:

• A recognised CCAB professional accountancy qualification, supported by ongoing professional development and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Strong knowledge of local government financial management, including budget setting, financial monitoring, medium-term financial planning, capital financing and statutory financial requirements.
• Proven experience in a finance management or business partnering role, providing robust financial advice, supporting transformation programmes, managing financial risks and contributing to year-end accounts and audit processes.
• Excellent analytical, numerical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information, produce high-quality reports and support effective decision-making.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to build trusted relationships, influence senior stakeholders and promote sound financial management across the organisation.

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