JOB INTRODUCTION

Bradford Finance is undergoing significant change and investment. Having been under resourced for a number of years it is now entering a new phase of development and strategic focus in order to support the Council’s ambitious new corporate strategy and plans.
A restructure has recently completed with the department now comprising four key teams: Management Accounting; Corporate and Strategic Finance; Projects, Systems and Commercial; and Internal Audit, Risk, Business Development and Improvement. The restructure includes significant additional capacity and investment in training and development.
A new service plan is being developed during 2025 with a clear strategic focus and direction including a development plan to focus on delivering financial literacy across the organisation, while at the same time, elevating the impact of the Finance team within the organisation to support and drive the Council’s strategic plans whilst delivering its financial sustainability and recovery programme.

The team has recently been highly instrumental in the last 12 months in helping the Council secure:

• the lifting of the Best Value Notice put in place in February 2024 by February 2025, an unprecedented achievement
• a very positive review by CIPFA about progress being made in Bradford to become financially sustainable. CIPFA cites progress being made in several key areas, including the addressing of risks identified in the previous review of 2023. They also report that financial planning in Bradford is robust, savings proposals are well considered and are being delivered, even where choices are difficult.
• completion of the 2025/26 budget much earlier than previously.
• closure and audit sign off of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 accounts in the last 4 months, both with an unqualified opinion.
• a very positive half year report by the Council’s Independent Board

The Finance Officer role is at the heart of the Finance team and essential to the delivery of the Council’s plans and future financial sustainability. You will work across either our management accounting or corporate and strategic finance teams working with departments and service areas to provide a best-in-class finance service. You will work with our senior finance officers, finance managers and strategic finance managers to implement the future development of the service thus enabling the council to meet its future challenges whilst fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This role is an opportunity to make a real difference in our vibrant and diverse city.
We are looking for a number of Finance Officers to join our dedicated team in the Finance Department. You will work closely with officers and senior leaders either in one of our 4 departments: Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Corporate Resources or Place (including HRA), or, in the Corporate and Strategic Finance Team leading Financial Planning.
The successful candidates will be expected to lead, develop and ensure implementation and review change management programmes to deliver continual improvement.

The main responsibilities of this role are:

• To provide timely information and advice to meet the needs of customers.
• To maintain detailed knowledge in order to provide sound financial advice.
• To develop good working relationships with colleagues to support the delivery of financial services and showing at all times professionalism and respect.
• To promote fairness and inclusion across all service provision and employment through personal example and open commitment.
• To take reasonable care of own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by the work of the post holder.
• To carry out any other duties as may be required, which are reasonable in terms of the nature and level of the post.
• Ensure that all budgeting and accounting procedures for both revenue and capital are followed including the operation of financial controls and regulations.
• Analyse and interpret financial information to support senior management in making correct financial and business decisions.
• Prepare financial reports for discrete service areas
• Maintain and reconcile key corporate systems including the banking system, other major income streams, asset register and risk register.
• Support in the completion of Government and other statistical and grant returns.
• Ensure the Council’s income and expenditure is correctly accounted for in line with policies and procedures.
• Deliver training to service budget holders and other service users.
• Promote continuous improvement by:
• Maintaining knowledge of relevant guidance;
• Ensure quality and consistency of financial information; &
• Promoting governance and risk management awareness and the maximising of resources to improve value for money
• The postholder will be expected to deputise for the Senior Finance Officer and /or Finance Manager on occasions on finance related matters within their areas of expertise as required.

• To provide timely information and advice to meet the needs of customers.
• To maintain detailed knowledge in order to provide sound financial advice.
• To develop good working relationships with colleagues to support the delivery of financial services and showing at all times professionalism and respect.
• To promote fairness and inclusion across all service provision and employment through personal example and open commitment.
• To take reasonable care of own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by the work of the post holder.
• To carry out any other duties as may be required, which are reasonable in terms of the nature and level of the post.
• Ensure that all budgeting and accounting procedures for both revenue and capital are followed including the operation of financial controls and regulations.
• Analyse and interpret financial information to support senior management in making correct financial and business decisions.
• Prepare financial reports for discrete service areas
• Maintain and reconcile key corporate systems including the banking system, other major income streams, asset register and risk register.
• Support in the completion of Government and other statistical and grant returns.
• Ensure the Council’s income and expenditure is correctly accounted for in line with policies and procedures.
• Deliver training to service budget holders and other service users.
• Promote continuous improvement by:
• Maintaining knowledge of relevant guidance;
• Ensure quality and consistency of financial information; &
• Promoting governance and risk management awareness and the maximising of resources to improve value for money
• The postholder will be expected to deputise for the Senior Finance Officer and /or Finance Manager on occasions on finance related matters within their areas of expertise as required