The posting
Contract to start ASAP
Duration: 18 weeks with a possible extension.
Full job description
Principal Finance Officer – London Borough of Waltham Forest
Hours: Full-time (36 hours per week)
Contract: 18-week temporary contract from 9 November 2026 to 14 March 2027
Provide Expert Financial Support and Strategic Advice Across Council Services
We're recruiting an experienced Principal Finance Officer to join the London Borough of Waltham Forest, based at Waltham Forest Town Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JF.
This is a senior finance role supporting effective financial management, budget monitoring, forecasting and strategic decision-making across Council services. You'll work closely with senior managers, budget holders and finance colleagues to provide accurate financial information, challenge expenditure and help ensure resources are used effectively.
The role requires strong local government finance experience, excellent analytical skills and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear advice for both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
About the Role
As a Principal Finance Officer, you'll provide high-quality financial advice and support across designated service areas.
You'll lead on budget monitoring, forecasting and financial analysis, helping services manage expenditure effectively while supporting the Council's wider financial planning and governance requirements.
What you'll be doing:
- Providing expert financial advice and support to senior managers, budget holders and service teams
- Leading budget monitoring and forecasting across assigned service areas
- Preparing detailed financial reports, analysis and management information
- Identifying financial risks, pressures and opportunities and recommending appropriate action
- Supporting the preparation of annual budgets and medium-term financial plans
- Reviewing expenditure, income and financial performance against agreed budgets
- Challenging budget holders where financial performance is outside agreed parameters
- Supporting year-end closure and final accounts processes
- Preparing and reviewing journals, accruals, provisions and other financial adjustments
- Providing financial input into business cases, projects and service proposals
- Undertaking financial modelling and scenario analysis
- Supporting savings programmes and identifying opportunities for improved value for money
- Ensuring financial activity complies with Council policies, procedures and financial regulations
- Supporting internal and external audit requirements
- Working closely with colleagues across finance and operational services
- Providing clear financial information to non-finance stakeholders
- Contributing to improvements in financial processes, controls and reporting
- Supporting the development of junior finance colleagues where required
Requirements
We're looking for a highly experienced finance professional with strong technical accounting knowledge and the confidence to provide senior-level financial advice.
You'll ideally have:
- Significant experience within management accounting, financial planning or finance business partnering
- Previous experience within local government or the wider public sector
- Strong budget monitoring and forecasting experience
- Experience supporting complex service budgets
- Strong understanding of financial controls, governance and accounting principles
- Experience preparing management accounts and financial reports
- Ability to analyse complex financial information and identify risks and trends
- Experience working directly with senior managers and budget holders
- Strong financial modelling and Excel skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to explain complex financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues
- Strong attention to detail and analytical ability
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
- Experience supporting year-end accounting processes
- Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgement
- A relevant accounting qualification or substantial equivalent experience
- Eligibility to work in the UK
- Ability to provide relevant references and complete required pre-employment checks
Why Apply
- Senior finance opportunity with the London Borough of Waltham Forest
- Competitive Umbrella rate of £261.10 per day
- Opportunity to provide strategic financial support across Council services
- Gain further experience within London local government finance
- Work closely with senior managers and key decision-makers
- Opportunity to contribute to financial planning, budget management and service improvement
- Full-time 36-hour working week
- 18-week temporary assignment
Benefits
- Weekly Pay
- Company Pension
- Ongoing Agency Support
Additional Information
Client: London Borough of Waltham Forest
Job Title: Principal Finance Officer
Location: Waltham Forest Town Hall, Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 4JF
Positions Available: 1
Hours: 36 hours per week
Start Date: 9 November 2026
End Date: 14 March 2027
Contract Duration: 18 weeks
Contract Type: Temporary
Pay Rate: Umbrella: £261.10 per day
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary contract
Pay: £261.10 per day
Benefits:
- Company pension
Application question(s):
- Do you have significant experience in management accounting, financial planning or finance business partnering?
- Do you have previous local government or public-sector finance experience?
- Do you have experience managing budgets, forecasting and providing financial advice to senior managers?
- Are you confident analysing complex financial information and explaining it clearly to non-finance stakeholders?
- Are you able to reliably travel to Waltham Forest Town Hall, Walthamstow, E17 4JF?
- Are you available to start from 9 November 2026?
Experience:
- Management Accounting / Finance Business Partnering: 3 years (required)
- Budget Monitoring & Forecasting: 3 years (required)
- Local Government / Public Sector Finance: 2 years (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- AAT / CCAB / CIPFA / CIMA / ACCA or equivalent finance qualification (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Disclaimer: On applying for this vacancy, you agree that your personal details will be passed onto our client for their consideration of your suitability for the role. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to notify iWork Recruitment Limited of any hirer who I do not want my details to be passed onto.
OR120302-10-26
