Finance Business Partner

Powys is a stunning county that offers beautiful scenery and spectacular landscapes with green open spaces and vibrant market towns. The county has excellent theatres, a vibrant Welsh cultural heritage, thriving arts and artisan scenes. Powys is home to some fantastic events, The Hay Festival of Literature, Green Man Festival, and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.

Spend your weekends exploring the 2,000 square miles of countryside and having great adventures… there’s something to do for everyone — wildlife enthusiasts, walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders. Sport addicts have plenty of choice with a range of local football, rugby, cricket, and golf clubs to choose from. Powys has a community spirit and togetherness with strong local neighbourhood networks. It’s also about well-being and offering safe and supportive communities to live in.
This role provides an opportunity to those who currently live in the area or would enjoy a move to this county. Or, as a flexible employer we also welcome applications from across the UK as the finance team is mainly home based and operate online through Teams.

About the role:
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in the Finance Department as a Finance Business Partner supporting Education.
As part of the team, you will be providing high quality financial advice, information, analysis and interpretation to budget holders and finance colleagues to underpin effective decision making, meaningful performance management and to meet statutory financial requirements and deadlines. This post will lead, inspire and develop a small team of staff to ensure they support and deliver to the highest quality.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to join our Management Accounting Team that supports the Councils’ services. The council is pursuing an exciting transformation and sustainability agenda to better meet the needs and responds to the challenges and opportunities post-COVID and through the on going cost of living crisis, which impact our residents and businesses alike.
About you:

• We are seeking a CCAB qualified accountant or someone who is currently in the final stages of training to gain the qualification
• Budgeting and accounting background with use of analytical and other financial techniques
• Effective oral and written communication skills at all levels with the ability to engage and influence colleagues and customers
• Ability to plan and prioritise effectively ensuring deadlines and targets are achieved
• Excellent ICT skills
• Staff management and development skills

What you will do:

• Undertake the role of “valued partner” offering a professional independent viewpoint alongside expertise, challenge and empathy, to support the delivery of service business objectives and financial priorities.
• Administer the preparation and coordination of both revenue and capital budgets ensuring they are intrinsically linked with other council wide strategies and plans.
• Liaise with budget holders and attend relevant meetings offering financial advice, training and expertise to support them in managing their budgets and complying with financial regulations, legislation and other codes of practise.
• Contribute to the year-end process to ensure the closure of accounts are completed within agreed timescales, supported by appropriate working papers, in accordance with best practice and contributes to achieving a good external audit opinion.
• Extract and collate statistical and financial data for relevant grant and government claims and returns, ensuring deadlines and requirements set are met to ensure maximisation of the Council’s cash flow.
• Assist in the provision of financial management information that is solution focused and aides sound decision making.

Closing date: 28/04/2024