Job Description
3 months (possibility of extension) contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• We are looking for two Finance Business Partners in the Closedown team – to assist with the external audit. Experience with asset registers and capital transactions particularly desirable. The Finance Business Partner (High Needs Funding) is responsible for the financial management and oversight of the High Needs Block Budget within Children’s Services.
• The role ensures accurate budget setting, monitoring, forecasting, and reporting, while managing the High Needs Funding Team to allocate funding correctly across educational settings.
• The post-holder provides financial guidance to budget managers, develops and improves processes, and ensures compliance with statutory requirements and council policies.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Extract, analyse, and interpret complex data to maintain accurate High Needs Block budget records.
• Prepare, monitor, and report on High Needs Block budget setting and expenditure.
• Oversee financial control, reconciliation, and reporting for the High Needs Block, identifying variances.
• Advise SEN budget managers on financial positions and compliance.
• Ensure processes comply with statutory High Needs funding guidance and council procedures.
• Manage and develop the High Needs Funding Team to implement efficient payment and funding processes.
• Design and implement new processes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and reporting.
• Maintain high standards of financial accuracy and reporting for senior leadership.
Skills/Experience:
• Knowledge of budget setting, forecasting, monitoring, and management of complex budgets.
• Extensive experience in financial administration, including complex processes and reporting.
• Experience in interrogating and analysing data to produce financial forecasts.
• Knowledge of funding/payment processes, including checking and authorising payments.
• Understanding of Dedicated Schools Grant and High Needs Block funding.
• High-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and funding formulas.
• Experience in staff supervision, team management, and workload prioritisation.
• Ability to communicate financial information to non-finance stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, manage conflicting deadlines, and apply initiative.
• Knowledge of Council policies, financial management procedures, Health & Safety, Data Protection, and Equal Opportunities legislation.
Additional Information:
• 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:30.
• Based at Municipal Offices, with potential flexible arrangements depending on service needs.
• Responsible for the High Needs Funding Team.
• Kettering – 1-2 days per month on site.
Requirements
• Knowledge of budget setting, forecasting, monitoring, and management of complex budgets. • Extensive experience in financial administration, including complex processes and reporting. • Experience in interrogating and analysing data to produce financial forecasts. • Knowledge of funding/payment processes, including checking and authorising payments. • Understanding of Dedicated Schools Grant and High Needs Block funding. • High-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and funding formulas. • Experience in staff supervision, team management, and workload prioritisation. • Ability to communicate financial information to non-finance stakeholders. • Ability to work independently, manage conflicting deadlines, and apply initiative. • Knowledge of Council policies, financial management procedures, Health & Safety, Data Protection, and Equal Opportunities legislation.