Finance Business Partering Lead

JOB PURPOSE

The Finance Business Partnering Lead is the specialist lead providing the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland with a professional, efficient and effective Finance Business Partnering Function.

The Finance Business Partnering Lead is accountable for leading a team of Finance Managers to provide a robust financial guidance, support and advice service across the organisation in order to that each DCC/DCO can robustly manage service delivery in line with available financial resources.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. As a member of the Finance Senior Management Team and in support of Chief Financial Officer's strategy for the Finance Function, develop and implement service plans to set direction, lead change and secure service improvement on a continuous basis.

2. Develop and lead a function that establishes a ‘Finance Business Partnering’ centre of excellence for the department and wider organisation, promoting accountable financial management and embedding a culture of strong and effective engagement with budget holders. Ensure performance contributes to the strategic aims of the Finance Service and the wider organisation.

3. Lead the delivery of effective month end reporting for the portfolio business areas, ensuring timely presentation of quality management accounts/ financial reports to budget holders, the DCCs/DCO and Corporate Finance & Investment Board.

4. Lead the design, establishment and development of a Finance Business Partnering Function to deliver a full range of financial support services including:

a. Development and implementation of a Finance Business Partnering Model that focuses on understanding the objectives, priorities and challenges of each business area in order that cost and income drivers can be accurately determined, managed and monitored and due reference is placed on the economic, efficient and effective use of public money;

b. Presentation of relevant, objective and reliable financial analysis and advice to the Scottish Government, each DCC/DCO, the Corporate Finance & Investment Board and the Scottish Police Authority which clearly sets out financial implications and risks and does so in a clear and credible manner appropriate to the audience;

c. Ensuring that the organisational approach to devolved budgeting is effectively applied in each DCC/DCO business area and that budget holders assume appropriate accountability for resources allocated to them;

d. Provide advice guidance and support across all financial plans for each portfolio business area (including revenue, capital and reform budgets);

e. Proactively collaborate and bring influence to bear on all material business decisions with financial implications across the DCC/DCO portfolios so that immediate and longer term implications, opportunities and risks are fully considered and align with financial plans and strategies;

f. Ensure that the strategic approach to developing plans for savings and efficiencies is implemented in each DCC/DCO business area and, working collaboratively, support budget holders in identifying and evaluation opportunities for making efficiencies.

g. Manage the annual budget setting process across the business portfolios, providing advice, guidance and support as appropriate and making robust and appropriate challenge of budget need;

h. Ensuring budget submissions are fully compliant with the governance framework, annual budget strategy, supporting guidelines and timelines as approved by Corporate Finance & Investment Board.

i. Develop, implement and report on relevant performance indicators in order to assess the organisation’s performance.

5. Ensure appropriate continuous professional development, keeping abreast of all internal, legislative and best practice developments, with particular focus on those impacting the Finance Business Partnering function. Ensure appropriate interpretation and implementation of required changes in a timely manner.

6. Develop and lead a Continuous Improvement Plan for the Finance Business Partnering Function taking into account changing demands and technology to leverage innovative, risk-aware solutions to drive change towards a continually re-assessed Best Practice Operating Model for the function its customers and other stakeholders.

7. Establish and implement month-end routines, ensuring that quality working papers are maintained across the function in support of all reports with supporting documentation and appropriate clear analysis for the purposes of forming an audit trail.

8. As a figurehead for the Finance Business Partnering Function with both internal and external Stakeholders, pro-actively lead and develop the Finance Business Partnering Function to become a known Centre of Excellence within the organisation.

9. Lead a strong and accountable performance management culture within Finance and across the wider organisation via Finance Business Partnering contact that places emphasis on the economic, efficient and effective use of public money.

10. Lead a focus on successful outcomes and delivery of planned objectives by:

a. Leading a team of professionally qualified and experienced staff, setting objectives and agreeing plans for technical and personal development as part of the personal development framework.

b. Leading by example in internal and external communications and mentoring staff in effective service delivery.

c. In collaboration with the Strategic Finance function, lead on the development of budget holder training programmes, developing budget holders’ financial competencies and embedding best practice in order that they can more effectively manage their business areas within the resourcing envelope available to them.

d. Leading effective personal and professional development of staff in accordance with internal HR and Training mechanisms.

e. Ensure effective resourcing of the functional area in line with agreed policies and in partnership with the People & Development Directorate

11. Lead on the identification, monitoring and reporting of relevant risks and work with colleagues across the organisation (as appropriate) to mitigate those risks.

12. Initiate, Lead, Monitor and Manage projects as appropriate to the role.

13. Be accountable for the implementation and monitoring of all applicable Standard Operating Practices and Policies including Health, Safety & Wellbeing policies

14. Continually re-evaluate priorities and work in an agile manner to address emerging requirements as applicable.

The above list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Accordingly, there may be a requirement to undertake additional duties, consistent with the grade of the post, as directed by management.

Skills/Knowledge/Qualifications

• Consultative Committee of Accounting Bodies (CCAB) Qualified Accountant.
• Specialist knowledge of relevant Public Sector Accounting Requirements, International Financial Reporting Standards, Audit and Taxation.
• Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Considerable post-qualification experience of Finance Business Partnering in a complex environment.
• Considerable experience of delivering against strategically linked financial objectives.
• Considerable experience of effectively building partnerships and working with internal and external stakeholders.
• Considerable experience of presenting to Executive Boards and Committees.
• Sound knowledge of data protection legislation requirements.

• Understanding of equality and diversity and legislative requirements in relation to service delivery.