Finance Officer - Financial Planning

Job title:

Finance Officer - Financial Planning

A bit about us:
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services. We are proud of our world‑famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

As Finance Officer (Financial Planning), you will play a vital part in delivering high‑quality financial management, advice, and support across the organisation. You will work closely with senior leaders, service managers, and budget holders to ensure transparent, accurate, and robust financial planning and reporting. You will work closing with the Financial Planning Manager to manage a dedicated finance team, overseeing the allocation and monitoring of workloads, performance, and professional development.

You will also contribute to the preparation of the Council’s revenue and capital budgets, annual accounts, financial returns, and statutory reporting. This is a role for someone who can combine technical expertise with strong leadership, excellent communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

• Support the Financial Planning Manager in managing the finance team, including workload allocation, performance, and attendance
• Work closely with service managers to ensure effective financial operations and compliance with procedures
• Lead on the preparation and monitoring of capital and revenue budgets, ensuring system updates reflect approved decisions
• Support the annual closure of accounts, ensuring compliance with statutory accounting and reporting standards
• Provide timely, accurate, and insightful budget monitoring information to managers at all levels
• Deliver financial analysis, appraisals, and projections to support strategic decision‑making
• Identify funding opportunities, oversee bid submission, and ensure robust financial management of external funds
• Strengthen governance of the Capital Programme, ensuring compliance with capital accounting regulations and the Prudential Code
• Respond to audit recommendations and develop improved financial processes and management information systems

• Qualified/Part Qualified Accountant CCAB/CIMA (preferably CIPFA); qualified, with evidence of continued professional development
• Collaborative approach, working effectively across the Council to support the implementation of the Council Plan
• Commitment to the Vision and Values of Liverpool City Council

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a "Flexibility First" approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave Discounted Gym Memberships
• Employee Volunteering Scheme
• Medicash

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet…