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Job Description

London Borough of Harrow is seeking an experienced and strategically minded Finance Manager (Housing Revenue Account) to play a key role in supporting the financial sustainability and future development of its Housing Service. Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will provide expert financial leadership, business partnering and strategic advice across the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), ensuring robust financial management and compliance within one of the Council’s most significant service areas.

This is a pivotal role, responsible for supporting the delivery of the Council’s Housing financial strategy, overseeing the HRA revenue and capital budgets, and maintaining the long-term financial viability of the 30-year HRA Business Plan. Working closely with Housing Services, Directors, Heads of Service and elected Members, you will provide high-quality financial insight and challenge to support informed decision-making, effective resource allocation and the delivery of excellent services for tenants and leaseholders. The role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities including HRA financial planning, rent and service charge setting, capital investment programmes, business plan modelling, financial reporting, statutory accounting and year-end processes. You will play a leading role in ensuring compliance with the statutory HRA ring-fence, safeguarding the integrity of housing finances and ensuring that resources are applied appropriately and effectively.

As a trusted finance business partner, you will contribute to major housing projects, transformation programmes and service improvements, while also supporting wider corporate finance activities and driving continuous improvement across financial management practices.

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 qualified finance professional with substantial experience in local government finance and a strong understanding of Housing Revenue Account accounting, financial planning and governance, capable of providing strategic financial advice and robust challenge to senior stakeholders within a complex and evolving environment. You will possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and translate it into clear, meaningful advice for both finance and non-finance audiences. Building strong relationships, influencing decision-making and supporting service improvement will come naturally to you, alongside a proactive and collaborative leadership style focused on developing others, driving continuous improvement and delivering high-quality financial services that contribute to the Council’s wider objectives.

We are looking for someone who has:

• A CCAB professional accountancy qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and a commitment to maintaining professional knowledge and expertise.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of financial management and financial processes within local authorities.
• Detailed knowledge of local government housing finance and HRA accounting practices.
• A thorough understanding of HRA capital programmes, capital financing arrangements and the associated legislative framework.
• Experience of developing, maintaining and modelling long-term HRA Business Plans, including 30-year financial planning.
• Experience of rent setting and service charge calculations within a Housing Revenue Account environment.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing and maintaining effective controls to prevent breaches of the statutory HRA ring-fence.
• Proven experience of delivering the key responsibilities associated with a senior finance management or housing finance role.
• Experience of annual budget setting, financial planning and monitoring of significant capital and revenue budgets.
• Experience of providing financial support and challenge to large-scale housing projects, investment programmes and service transformation initiatives.
• Experience of preparing or supporting statutory HRA accounts and contributing to the Council’s Statement of Accounts.
• Experience of leading HRA year-end closedown processes, including accruals, fixed asset reconciliations, depreciation, impairment accounting and external audit requirements.
• Experience of reviewing and authorising grant claims and statutory returns.

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