Assistant Finance Business Partner

About the roleWest Northamptonshire Council has a vacancy for an Assistant Finance Business Partner to support the Communities & Opportunities Business Partner Team. As an Assistant Finance Business Partner, you will be able to apply a wide range of accountancy skills and business acumen to support a busy finance team. The successful candidate will be AAT Qualified or committed to studying and qualifying., with excellent communication skills, suitably experienced, and technically proficient in their area. The role is part flexible, being office based for two days a week.
The successful candidate will be joining a busy and supportive department, helping to shape a highly performing finance function over a period of significant change for the Council.
The closing date for applications is Friday 24th February but we reserve the right to close sooner if a suitable candidate is found.
What will you be doing?Providing financial advice, budget support and analysis to all Service and Support Directorates.
Contributing to the Financial Planning processes with financial analysis, advice, and recommendations to support the production of the Medium-Term Financial Plan which delivers the objectives of the Authority.
Working with service budget holders to ensure accurate and timely budget monitoring, and performance reporting.
Developing effective relationships both across the organisation, and with external partners.
Supporting the development of financial business processes within Finance and Service Directorates, and the implementation of these improved processes.
Supporting and training budget holders in the use of the Council’s e-Business suite, including the Council’s ERP Gold Agresso platform.
Supporting the year-end accounting processes, ensuring all deliverables are achieved in line with agreed timescales.
Ensuring adherence to, and advise on, the application of legislation, and national and international accountancy standards.
Ensuring that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons, and complying with the policies and procedures relating to health and safety within the Service.
Demonstrating an awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people's behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs.
Undertaking any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope, and purpose of this job description.
About you

• Either AAT Qualified (or recognised professional accounting qualification) or committed to studying and qualifying.
• Proven experience in the areas of Financial Planning, Control and Reporting and the development of Financial Processes.
• Proven experience of communicating effectively with professional and technical finance staff, and operational managers.
• Ability to apply innovative and creative thinking to complex service challenges.
• Enthusiastic and pro- active approach and able to maintain high levels of performance under changing conditions, tasks, responsibilities or people

About usWe're a new council, following one of the largest shake-ups in local government reform in recent history. As a new authority, we're embarking on an exciting journey to deliver exceptional services for our residents, customers and communities.
Our vision at West Northamptonshire Council is 'to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive'. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.
At West Northants Council, it's about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.
When potential is unlocked, talent thrives.
Choose a career that offers you a true sense of achievement, fills you with pride and challenges you in a positive way, every day.
West Northants Council, where careers thrive.
Our benefitsWe offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days annual leave per year, 28 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Car Lease scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people's lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

The council is in the process of implementing a new pay structure and terms and conditions which will be applicable to this role. The outcome could result in a future variation to the advertised salary, and this will be discussed at interview.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Salary: £28,376.00 per year