Deputy Section 151 Officer

Ref:

  • Colchester
  • Finance
  • Permanent
  • Consultant: Tim

Job Title: Deputy Section 151 Officer (Chief Accountant/ Head of Corporate Finance)

Service: Finance

Salary: Up to £85,000.00 per annum (may be some flexibility for exceptional candidates)

Responsible to: Chief Finance Officer/ Section 151 Officer

Line Management Responsibility for: Deputy Chief Accountant, Capital & Treasury Manager, Systems Accountant and Assistant Finance Officer

Contact with: Officers of all levels (including Board Members), Councillors, external organisations and local authorities

Purpose of job: To provide strategic leadership and management of the Council’s Corporate Finance function, including undertaking the role of Chief Accountant, leading on financial planning, capital and revenue budgeting, treasury management, financial reporting and all Statutory Returns. As Deputy Section 151 Officer, the postholder will support the statutory responsibilities of the Chief Finance Officer (S151) and deputise for the S151 in their absence, ensuring the Council maintains high standards of financial governance, resilience, and accountability.

The role takes on the role of Chief Accountant and leads the Treasury & Capital functions, supports the S151 in financial planning and Budget Strategy, working collaboratively across the organisation to deliver robust financial management, and transparent and effective stewardship of public funds.

This post will take the lead of the Corporate Finance function and undertake the preparation of the Council’s Statutory Annual Accounts and the day-to-day relationship with the External Auditors, supporting the S151 in financial planning, budget setting and medium-term financial strategy.  This will include working with other officers across the Council including the Senior Leadership Board (SLB), Heads of Service and Members to prepare and deliver a balanced budget.

The role will also attend meetings with and brief the Portfolio Holder, and will attend Governance & Audit Committee with or on behalf of the S151 and Cabinet, as required.

Responsibilities

  • Strategic Financial Leadership:
    • Lead the delivery of the Council’s Annual Statutory Accounts and the day-to-day relationship with External Auditors, work with and support the S151 with the Medium-Term Financial Forecast (MTFF) and financial planning, and oversight of the Capital and Treasury functions for the Council, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, service plans, and resource constraints.
    • Act as a key advisor to the Chief Finance Officer (S151), Senior Leadership Board (SLB) and Members on all financially technical issues, financial strategy, sustainability, and policy development.
    • Deputise for the Section 151 Officer in all statutory, strategic, and corporate finance matters.
    • Lead on the transformation and continuous improvement of the Finance function.
  • Financial Planning & Budgeting:
    • Support S151 with the annual budget planning, setting, and monitoring processes, ensuring integration of revenue and capital.
    • Support the S151 on budget engagement with Members and senior officers, ensuring financial information is clear, timely, and supports effective decision-making.
    • Support the delivery of high-quality financial advice and support to services by integration and working closely and collaboratively with the Senior Finance Business Partner and the team.
  • Treasury & Capital Management
    • Provide strategic oversight of the Council’s Treasury Management strategy and operations, ensuring prudent management of borrowing, investments, and cash flow.
    • Oversee the Capital Programme and development of the Capital Strategy, ensuring sound financial planning, affordability, and compliance with statutory and prudential frameworks.
    • Lead on the development of the Council’s Capital and Treasury Management Strategies.
    • Work with Director of Estates to prepare and drive forward a sustainable Investment Strategy.
  • Strategic Financial Leadership:
    • Lead the delivery of the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, service plans, and resource constraints.
    • Act as a key advisor to the Chief Finance Officer (S151), Senior Leadership Board (SLB) and Members on financial strategy, sustainability, and policy development.
    • Deputise for the Section 151 Officer in all statutory, strategic, and corporate finance matters.
  • Financial Governance & Reporting
    • Lead the preparation of the Statement of Accounts with the Deputy Chief Accountant, ensuring quality and audit-readiness and taking the primary day-to-day relationship with External Audit.
    • Ensure strong financial controls, policy frameworks, and procedures are in place to safeguard public funds.
    • Manage the Systems Accountant to ensure reporting is accurate and systems integrity is maintained at all times.
  • Team Leadership & People Management
    • Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing Corporate Finance team.
    • Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture that promotes innovation, integrity, and professional excellence.
    • Support learning, succession planning, and continuous improvement within the team.

Person Specification

What we expect you to have:

  • Full membership by examination of a CCAB recognised body (eg CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA)

What we hope that you have:

  • Have experience in a similar role in another Local Authority

Skills

Role-specific technical skills:

  • Highest level of technical financial skills as the most technical person in Finance (such as for the production of Annual Accounts)
  • Up to date knowledge of CIPFA, PWLB, Accounting Standards and other technical legislation and regulations
  • Proven experience in a finance role at this level
  • Knowledge and awareness of issues affecting local government
  • Understanding of financial systems
  • Appreciate the increasing role of the commercial sector in financial matters, and an understanding of how this changes requirements on the finance service
  • Capital and Treasury management knowledge or experience

Leadership/Management

  • Have integrity and transparency 
  • Be able to inspire and motivate others
  • Have organisational and political awareness
  • Empower and enable staff

Impact and influence

  • Be decisive
  • Have business and financial acumen
  • Develop team performance and motivate staff
  • Deal with conflict
  • Use appropriate management styles
  • Be able to plan, monitor and prioritise change
  • Understand risk management

Project Management

  • Be able to plan, monitor and prioritise change
  • Meet deadlines
  • Be methodical and able to problem solve

IT Skills

  • Microsoft Office365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Data Protection

  • Up to date knowledge and understanding of the principles of data protection legislation to ensure compliance

Physical or special attributes:

  • Work flexibly as appropriate
  • Attend evening meetings/external meetings as required
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