Head of Finance; Deputy Section 151 Officer Fire and Rescue Service

Head of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer) – Kent Fire and Rescue Service

Job title: Head of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)
Location: Service Headquarters, Tovil, Maidstone (hybrid working, but may be required to travel occasionally within the county)
Hours: Full time – 37 Hours per week
Pension: Automatic membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme – career average pension scheme with 16.5% employer contribution
Holidays: In addition to bank/ public holidays you will receive 31 days holiday
Base salary: Grade 12 – £82,320 – £96,170

Being a part of Kent Fire and Rescue Service
Everyone is unique. Everyone has value. Everyone helps to make Kent Fire and Rescue Service a great place to work. We are one team. Together with our customers we are creating a safer future for Kent and Medway.

Being a Head of Finance
As the Head of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer, you will bring strong visible leadership to a modern, customer-focused finance function, holding a pivotal role on the Strategic Leadership Board in supporting delivery of our strategic vision and Community Risk Management Plan.

Reporting to the Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer), you will drive high-performance in leading the Finance Team in the seamless delivery of the Authority’s financial and accounting activities. You will bring professional expertise providing strategic advice and operational oversight to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Authority and to ensure rigorous compliance with regulations, legislation, and the Authority’s statutory responsibilities.

• Provide visible leadership to an efficient and high-performing finance function.
• Lead on the development of the Authority’s key financial strategies.
• Lead the end-to-end year-end closedown and publication of the Authority’s Financial Statements and Annual Governance Statement.
• Manage contracts and liaison with internal and external audit, treasury and tax advisors, banking and insurance providers, and property and pension scheme valuers.
• Provide strategic and technical expertise on accounting and financial management issues, such as investments and capital accounting.
• Draft financial reports and present to the Fire Authority and Audit and Governance Committee.

• Fully qualified CCAB or CIMA Accountant.
• Technical excellence with a mastery of CIPFA Codes, Treasury Management, Capital Accounting and the complexities of the Prudential Code.
• Visible leadership with a track record of empowering diverse teams and fostering a culture of high performance and inclusion.
• Strategic vision with a proven ability to develop 10-year Capital Strategies and Medium-Term Financial Plans that ensure long-term sustainability.
• Accountability with experience leading end-to-end year-end close downs and securing unqualified audit opinions for complex public bodies.
• Political acumen with the confidence to present complex financial data to the Fire Authority and Audit & Governance Committee.