Head of Finance

Lead a high\-performing finance function, providing strategic leadership, financial governance, reporting, compliance, and expert advice to senior leaders.

Corporate staff
North Somerset
Post number: 3013

Hours: 37 per week

Contract: Permanent, fulltime

Salary: HAY 2 (£58,502 \- £62,819\)

Closing date: 15 June 2026

Location: Police \& Fire HQ, Portishead

Interviews: w/c 06 July 2026

Summary of the role
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We are seeking an experienced and strategic finance leader to oversee the delivery of a modern, high\-performing finance function. You will lead the day\-to\-day management of the Finance Team, ensuring the provision of high\-quality financial management, accounting, reporting, and governance services while maintaining compliance with public sector financial regulations.

Working closely with senior leaders, you will play a key role in shaping organisational strategy, providing expert financial advice, and driving continuous improvement across the service. You will also support the Statutory Finance Officer in fulfilling their legal responsibilities and act as Deputy Section 112 Officer when required. As a member of the Service Leadership Team, you will contribute to the wider leadership, culture, and success of the organisation.

Some of the things you’ll be doing
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• Leading the annual Budget Setting process, highlighting key financial risks for the organisation.


• Providing high quality reports, analysis and assurance, including monthly revenue and capital budget monitoring reports, to the Service Leadership Board \& Senior Leadership Team, Fire Authority and its Committees.


• Leading the production of the Annual Statement of Accounts, to the required national deadlines, for the approval of the Statutory Finance Officer and Fire Authority, manging both internal and external sources of information and ensuring presentation of accounts remains compliant with the latest statutory and regulatory requirements.


• Providing financial analysis and financial modelling to financially appraise Business Cases to support investment and planning initiatives.


• Manage, motivate, support, develop and evaluate the Finance Team ensuring individuals’ learning and progression needs are identified and met; supporting and enabling succession planning and talent management.

Monitoring and advising on Treasury Management activities, ensuring activities are compliant with the approved Treasury Management Strategy and the Code of Practice for Treasury Management in Public Services.

• What we’ll need from you

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Essential

• CCAB qualified with at least 5 years post qualification accountancy experience, in a large organisation with turnover in excess of £30m. (includes ICAEW ACA, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS and Chartered Accountants Ireland)


• Proven experience of Strategic Financial Planning, providing high level information to Directors and Senior Leaders.


• Significant experience in overseeing a finance team to develop revenue and capital annual budgets, to financially manage and monitor budgets and to provide high level financial reports to directors and senior leaders.


• Strong experience of leading finance teams within a Devolved Budgetary Framework, ensuring strong financial business partnering.


• Significant experience of leading the production of Final Annual Accounts, in a large organisation, to the required standard and associated deadlines.


• Significant experience in writing and presenting high quality written reports and financial data to directors and senior managers.

Desirable

• Knowledge of financial issues directly relevant to the Fire Sector.


• Good knowledge and experience of Local Government financial regulations.


• Experience of working with, and advising, elected Members.

What you can expect in return
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What you can expect in return

• 27 days annual holiday (plus public holidays) rising to 31 days after 5 years, and 32 days after 10 years of service


• Local Government Pension – Defined Benefit Scheme


• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme


• Cycle to Work scheme


• Welfare and Wellbeing services


• Staff Networks


• Access to Westfield Health Supplementary Healthcare package.


• Access to Blue Light card with offers online and high street discounts


• Use of the multi\-gym, sports hall, restaurant, free parking and beautiful open surroundings at our Headquarters in Portishead.

How to apply:
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If you experience any issues with the application or require a paper version please contact recruitment@avonfire.gov.uk . Late applications and any applications with no supporting statement will not be accepted. Please quote job reference number 3013 on any communications. Thank you.

With effect from July 2023 legislation was amended to enable all Fire \& Rescue Services to undertake standard DBS checks for all employees.  All job roles require a standard DBS check, with certain defined roles requiring an enhanced check.  These will be renewed throughout employment.

*Avon Fire \& Rescue Service is committed to securing equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all members of our community who are currently under\-represented at Avon Fire \& Rescue Service, particularly women, Disabled people and members of ethnic minority communities.*

Additional reading
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It is important for you to familiarise yourself with our work at Avon FRS and the framework we follow. Please see some resources below for you to read and explore:

Core Code Of Ethics – NFCC

Our mission, vision and values – Avon Fire and Rescue Service

Safeguarding policy – Avon Fire and Rescue Service

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