# Financial Controller **Company**: London Borough of Havering **Location**: Romford, Greater London **Work arrangement**: hybrid **Experience**: senior **Job type**: full-time **Salary**: GBP 61,476 - 66,078 per year **Category**: Finance **Industry**: Finance **Apply**: https://www.jobsgopublic.com/job/financial-controller-117050?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply **Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_601d305e-692 ## Description As Financial Controller, you will have direct responsibility for coordinating the Council's annual closedown programme, leading the production of the Statement of Accounts, managing the statutory external audit process and ensuring the integrity of the Council's financial reporting framework. You will lead the development and operation of the Council's financial control environment, ensuring robust reconciliations, strong governance arrangements and compliance with accounting regulations, legislation and professional standards. The role includes deputising for the Head of Finance (Financial Control), supporting committee reporting, leading improvement projects and helping the Council respond effectively to developments in local government finance, accounting standards and statutory requirements. **What We're Looking For** We are seeking an accomplished and technically strong finance professional with: - A recognised CCAB professional accountancy qualification (CIPFA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent) together with evidence of continuing professional development. - Significant experience in statutory financial reporting and the production of annual financial statements. - Proven experience operating within a strong financial control environment and maintaining robust governance arrangements. - Demonstrable experience managing interim and year-end audits and working effectively with external auditors. - Strong technical knowledge of local authority accounting requirements, the CIPFA Code of Practice, IFRS and relevant legislation. - Experience of providing complex financial and technical advice to senior stakeholders. - Excellent analytical, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to explain technical matters to non-financial audiences. - A commitment to continuous improvement and developing efficient, high-quality financial processes. **Key Responsibilities** - Lead the production of the Council's annual Statement of Accounts and associated financial reporting requirements. - Coordinate and manage the annual closedown programme, ensuring compliance with statutory deadlines. - Lead the preparation of Group Accounts, Collection Fund accounts and Whole of Government Accounts returns. - Act as the principal finance lead for the statutory external audit process and the management of audit queries, recommendations and objections. - Develop and maintain effective financial controls to protect the integrity of the Council's financial systems and reporting. - Ensure all key systems and feeder systems are reconciled accurately and regularly to the general ledger. - Provide expert advice on accounting standards, technical guidance, financial regulations, VAT and taxation matters. - Monitor the Council's VAT partial exemption position and provide strategic advice on the financial implications of projects and spending decisions. - Support the integration of capital and revenue accounting arrangements and closedown processes. - Provide advice and support to Members, directors and senior managers on complex financial and regulatory issues. - Lead corporate financial reporting improvements and contribute to wider finance transformation initiatives. - Develop finance colleagues through coaching, mentoring and training, while supporting finance trainees within the department. - Deputise for the Head of Finance (Financial Control) when required. **Benefits** - A supportive and inclusive working environment guided by our ICARE values - Local Government Pension Scheme - Flexible and hybrid working arrangements - Generous annual leave, with the option to purchase additional leave - Extensive learning and professional development opportunities - A comprehensive health, wellbeing and employee support programme - The opportunity to work at the heart of a high-performing finance function and make a significant contribution to the Council's financial resilience and governance. For more fresh new jobs, check out [yubhub.co](https://yubhub.co/). ## Skills ### Required - CCAB professional accountancy qualification - statutory financial reporting - financial control environment - governance arrangements - accounting regulations - legislation - professional standards - analytical skills - communication skills - influencing skills ### Nice to have - VAT and taxation expertise - team leadership - staff development experience --- Source: [Apply at jobsgopublic.com](https://www.jobsgopublic.com/job/financial-controller-117050?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply)