Group Accountant Corporate

Waltham Forest is a London borough with strong economic growth, vibrant multi-cultural communities and a thriving cultural and creative sector. Redevelopment and regeneration over the last decade has brought significant new housing and employment opportunities as well as helping build a thriving small business economy.

Public service has been at the heart of Waltham Forest’s response to the pandemic, both in how residents helped each other and how the council has faced the challenges. This understanding of public service requires more leadership and responsibility from the Council, not less. The Council is focused on listening more and finding new ways to work alongside residents, partners and businesses. That is why we developed our new Public Service Strategy to set out how we plan to take on the immediate challenges faced by residents, communities and businesses throughout and post the Covid-19 pandemic. Finance will need to play a key role in the delivery of this, which is why we are looking to strengthen our finance team.

The Group Accountant Corporate will provide high-level professional, technical and financial advice to senior officers and Councillors to ensure that the Council’s financial resources, both within the central directorates and for the overall strategic finance function are managed effectively. Key responsibilities will include;

• Developing relationships with senior stakeholders across Corporate Resources to ensure that financial resources are used in the most cost effective way to meet the Council’s priorities
• Providing high-level advice and support to the Council, councillors and senior managers
• Managing the team responsible for supporting the central directorates and the Council’s strategic finance function both revenue and capital

To be suitable for the role you need to be a qualified accountant, or close to qualifying and actively studying, with the ability to develop relationships and influence senior stakeholders. Proven experience of business partnering and adding value is essential.

Going forward Waltham Forest will be operating a hybrid working model, with a greater balance between home based and office working, subject to role requirements.

For more information on Waltham Forest, the recruitment processes and to see the job description please contact Will Ryan at Allen Lane on 07789871864 or willryan@allenlane.co.uk for a confidential conversation.

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to walthamforest@allenlane.co.uk by Monday 13^th June. The covering letter should be no more than 2 pages and should include why you are interested in the position and specific examples of how you meet the key criteria.