Senior Finance Analyst

An excellent opportunity.... 

Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.

The Post

We are recruiting for up to two Senior Finance Analysts to act as Business Partners across the following areas:

• Deputy Chief Accountant Business Partner – Chief Accountants Team
• Pensions Business Partner – Pensions & Companies Team

As Deputy Chief Accountant Business Partner, you will play a central role in ensuring the financial integrity and transparency of Brent Council’s statutory reporting. Reporting to the Chief Accountant, you will lead the preparation and delivery of the Council’s Statement of Accounts and other financial reporting, ensuring compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements. You will also oversee VAT reporting and contribute to the development of financial policies and procedures that support robust financial governance.

This is a high-impact role that requires strong technical expertise and the ability to manage complex financial processes across the entire organisation. You will lead a small, high-performing team—including Finance Analysts and graduate trainees—providing mentorship and fostering professional development. You will also act as a key liaison with internal and external auditors, HMRC, and other stakeholders, ensuring the Council’s financial reporting is accurate, timely, and audit-ready.

As a Senior Finance Analyst, you will play a vital role in shaping the strategic direction and safeguarding the financial integrity of the Brent Pension Fund, which supports more than 22,000 current and former local government employees. Working closely with the Head of Finance and leading a small, dedicated team, you will provide professional financial advice on all aspects of the Pension Fund. You will take the lead on preparing and delivering the Fund’s statutory accounts and annual report, support the development and monitoring of the investment strategy, and contribute to long-term financial planning and risk management. You will also act as a key liaison with external auditors, actuaries, and investment fund managers, and will be responsible for drafting and presenting reports to the Pension Fund Sub-Committee and Local Pension Board.

The Senior Finance Analysts will report into the relevant Head of Finance. They will provide officers and senior stakeholders with high level professional advice and make a positive contribution to the delivery of the service. Key activities will include:

• Being actively involved in material business decisions to ensure immediate and longer-term implications, opportunities and risks are fully considered, and alignment with the organisation’s financial strategy.
• Leading the promotion of good financial management so that public money is safeguarded at all times and used appropriately, economically, efficiently and effectively.
• Promoting and developing a culture that supports a Self-Service approach to service delivery.
• Ensuring a systematic approach to financial control alongside the modernisation and streamlining of all processes.
• Supporting the departmental Head of Finance in the provision of high-level professional advice on a very broad range of financial issues.
• Managing and leading staff to achieve high performance and effective operational delivery, including developing and improving staff capability 

The Person

A driven and motivated fully qualified accountant. 

Excellent communications skills and the ability to challenge and influence a range of stakeholders. 

Experience of supporting budget management for complex demand led services is essential. 

Full details are provided in the attached job description and person specification.

Our Offer to You

In addition to your salary, you will also get to enjoy the following benefits:

•    27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, increasing to 31 days plus 8 bank holidays after 5 years continuous service
•    Very generous employer pension contribution
•    Flexible working hours and the opportunity to work from home 2 days per week (laptop provided)
•    A wide range of family friendly policies such as parental leave
•    Access to affordable parking nearby
•    Access to our Zipcar scheme 
•    Access to our Employee Assistance programme for free confidential counselling
•    Season ticket loan for public transport
•    Cycle to work scheme and good onsite facilities
•    Access to My Brent Rewards for big brand discounts, local offers and money off for travel, cinema and shopping vouchers.
 
Closing Date: 7 July 2025 (23:59)

Assessment & Interview Date: w/c 21 July 2025
Start Date: August/September 2025

Additional Information

Location: Civic Centre and other locations from time to time  

If you are interested in applying for this job, please start by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application that clearly shows how you meet the criteria on the Person Specification. We will accept a CV in support of your application, however, you should still provide a supporting statement.

Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application.

We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.

The information we collect from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas and your data protection rights, can be found here.

Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.

As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@brent.gov.uk