About Us

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a key strategic accountant to join our Financial Management division.  We are looking for someone able to help maintain financial stability of the organisations for the future. The successful candidate will have overall responsibility for the annual budget setting processes, including preparation and delivery of revenue and capital budgets, producing the Medium Term Financial Strategies as well as setting Council Tax levels for two boroughs incorporating growth and savings plans that align the budget to the priorities in both Councils. The post holder will manage a high performing team who are delivering financial support to service managers and overseeing budget management from a wide variety of different services including community safety and corporate support services.

About Us

Despite the financial pressures facing all councils, Richmond and Wandsworth are focused on protecting front line services for residents and delivering on promised commitments.  Wandsworth is proud to have committed £10m to a Cost of Living Fund to support residents throughout the crisis and Richmond is currently investing £5m into specific public realm improvements across the borough as well as embarking on the long awaited redevelopment of Twickenham Riverside.  

No two days in finance are the same, you’ll be joining a supportive integrated team that offers the opportunity to develop and learn new skills as different challenges present themselves. 

About You

This is a CCAB qualified position requiring proven experience of providing strategic direction in a finance role within local government.  You will have experience of providing advice to secure effective delivery and value for money whilst thinking strategically for the entire organisation and communicating complex financial issues to all stakeholders. You’ll be able to work to deadlines and prioritise tasks to deliver on service goals and ambitions. Representing the Section 151 Officer, the post holder will liaise with Service Directors and senior officers to review the financial impact of new service proposals across both boroughs, advise senior officers and Members on options, and ensure spend is in line with the Council’s spending priorities and accounting policies.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, there is the expectation that the post holder will be required visit our offices at least once a week as the service requires and on occasion attending member meetings outside of core hours.

Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know. 

We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 40 days including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities. 

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  07/11/2023

Shortlisting Date: TBC

Interview Date: TBC      

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils