Interim Group Accountant- High Needs Block

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority Job Purpose To provide strategic financial leadership and expert advice for the High Needs Block within the Education & Inclusion Directorate, ensuring effective financial management, robust planning, and sustainable delivery of SEND services. The role will support service transformation, improve financial performance, and provide high-quality financial insight to senior leaders and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the provision of high-quality financial management and strategic advice across Education, Inclusion, and SEND services. Act as the principal finance lead for High Needs Block funding, expenditure, and financial sustainability. Deliver budget monitoring, forecasting, financial modelling, and performance reporting.

Provide expert financial advice to senior managers, directors, Members, and external partners. Support transformation programmes through business cases, options appraisals, and financial analysis. Identify financial risks, develop mitigation strategies, and support the delivery of recovery plans where required. Advise on funding opportunities, policy changes, and their financial implications.

Contribute to statutory accounts, financial returns, external audit requirements, and local authority financial processes. Develop financial systems, processes, and reporting mechanisms to improve transparency and control. Support budget holders in achieving value for money and long-term financial sustainability. Manage, motivate, and develop the SEND Finance Team, including up to four direct reports.

Represent the Council at regional and national forums, contributing to wider sector discussions and best practice.

Requirements

CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant, or significant equivalent senior-level finance experience. Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Significant experience of financial management within a large and complex organisation. Strong experience in financial modelling, forecasting, and strategic financial planning.

Knowledge and experience of local authority finance, statutory accounting, and financial reporting requirements. Experience supporting local authority closedown and Statement of Accounts processes. Experience of managing and developing professional finance teams. Proven ability to influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders.

Experience delivering projects and outcomes across multidisciplinary teams. Understanding of public sector commercialisation and associated financial risks. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship-building skills. Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance audiences.

Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under challenging deadlines. Additional Information Location: Lynton House, Ilford (Hybrid working – minimum 1 - 2 days per week in Redbridge office) Hours per Week: 36 hours per week Pay: Bi-weekly payments