Finance Business Partner

On behalf of MHCLG , we are looking for a Finance Business Partner (Inside IR35/PAYE) for a 5 month contract until 31/03/2027 based REMOTELY with occasional trips to London or Birmingham

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is a department dedicated to changing and improving lives in the UK. We support local governments and empower communities, by delivering safe, secure homes that people need. To make sure we deliver, we sponsor 14 arm’s length bodies, including Homes England, the Planning Inspectorate and HM Land Registry, which are critical to our mission.

The Local Audit Office (LAO) is a new independent public body being established to play a central role in rebuilding and strengthening the local audit system. Our work will help improve transparency, accountability and public confidence in local government, supporting better outcomes for communities across England.

The interim Finance Business Partner will play a key role in supporting the effective financial management of the Local Audit Office. Working closely with senior leaders , the postholder will provide financial advice, challenge and insight and support the development of the LAO's financial management framework, helping to establish robust budgeting, forecasting and reporting arrangements from the outset.

This is a business-facing finance role requiring strong analytical skills, sound judgement and the ability to build effective relationships across the organisation. As a finance professional, you will help establish financial management arrangements within a new public body, supporting leaders to make informed decisions and ensuring public money is managed effectively.

As a Finance Business Partner , your main responsibilities will be:

- Provide financial advice and constructive challenge to support senior leaders , budget holders and colleagues in decision -making.
- Lead the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of the organisation's budgeting, forecasting, financial monitoring and management reporting processes.
- Produce, analyse and interpret financial information, including management information, month-end and year-end reporting, identifying trends, risks, opportunities and clear recommendations.
- Support the preparation of statutory and annual financial statements, working with outsourced finance and accounting services as required.
- Coordinate LAO input to VAT processes, including preparing information for VAT returns, checking advice and reports, and supporting submission arrangements where required.
- Support cash management activity, including cash-flow forecasting, liquidity monitoring, bank reconciliation queries and arrangements relating to grant in aid.
- Request invoices and billing information, raise and approve requisitions, and work with shared service colleagues on invoicing, billing, debt collection and receipt matching processes.
- Support SAP and finance system processes, including access, reporting, system maintenance and liaison with shared services on technical or process issues.
- Raise, approve and match goods receipt notes, support purchase invoice processes, and request new suppliers or amendments to supplier records.
- Maintain effective supplier master data arrangements by requesting new suppliers, amendments and supporting information, including coordination of identity and bank account checks where required.
- Support audit processes by preparing information, responding to queries and coordinating finance evidence and documentation across LAO and outsourced service providers.
- Post and approve journals, accruals and adjustments, ensuring appropriate review, evidence and compliance with financial controls .
- Support asset accounting processes, including requests for new assets, disposals, updates, depreciation runs and maintenance of asset master data where required.
- Contribute to strategic finance activity, including in-house financial planning, accounting officer advice, business cases, investment proposals and assessments of value for money.
- Promote financial awareness, compliance with governance requirements and strong financial management across the LAO

Essential:

- Experience of financial management activities, including budgeting, forecasting, financial monitoring, management reporting or month-end processes.
- Experience of providing financial advice, insight and constructive challenge to support decision -making.
- Ability to analyse and interpret financial information, identify risks or trends, and communicate findings clearly to finance and non-finance audiences.
- Experience of using financial systems, processes or reports to support financial management , controls and operational delivery.
- Understanding of financial controls , governance, audit requirements and risk management principles .
- Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders, including shared service providers or colleagues outside the immediate team.
- Ability to identify problems, evaluate options and make practical recommendations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities

Desirable:

- Experience working in a public sector, regulatory or arm's-length body environment.
- Understanding of government finance principles , including Managing Public Money.
- A recognised accountancy qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA)

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, MHCLG encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

MHCLG welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".