Welcome

Your new company

The borough of Gosport in Hampshire is a diverse, attractive coastal area with a naval heritage creating a uniquely desirable and interesting place in which to live and work. Gosport Borough Council is a listening organisation, we value customer and public opinion, and strive to deliver value for money services putting our customers at the heart of all we do.

Your new role

Gosport Borough Council is looking to appoint an experienced finance professional who will provide the day to day lead in all financial and management accounting functions and be involved in all key business decisions of the Council. This key management role will deputise for the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) and will lead the Finance Team in the provision of the full range of finance, budgeting, banking and treasury management functions.

You will be integral to the development of the Council's plans and ambitions, factoring these into the preparation of the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy. You will be ‘hands-on’ in undertaking investment appraisals, supporting business cases and engaging with stakeholders as well as providing strategic analysis and options to our members and other senior officials.

You will be the key, on the ground, finance partner and advisor to the organisation and political leadership of the Council; supporting the production of the Council’s budget and monitoring performance against it.

You will work with a high degree of autonomy, leading and managing a Finance team to support the goals of the Council. You will also be encouraged to further your own development and ambitions.

What you'll need to succeed

The ideal candidate will be a fully qualified accountant, preferably CIPFA, with substantial post qualification experience and have exposure of working at a senior level, particularly in Local Government. Significant experience of the preparation of budgets, overall financial strategy and statutory accounts is essential.

Undertaking financial evaluations and appraisals, providing financial advice and presenting financial information in an engaging way to colleagues and elected members are important aspects of the role. Crucially, the candidate will lead by example bringing a positive, professional and collaborative approach to all aspects of the role and will form constructive relationships across the Council.

What you'll get in return