Deputy Head of Finance

Help shape how Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service manages its resources and makes informed decisions for the communities it serves.

We are looking for a qualified accountant to lead the day-to-day delivery and continued development of our Finance Department, working closely with the Head of Finance and Treasurer.

This is a practical senior leadership role. You will bring together financial reporting and control, budget planning and business partnering, and finance operations. You will strengthen accounts and audit evidence, provide clear professional review and priorities, and develop a team whose advice is trusted across the Service.

You will connect the Finance work programme to the Community Risk Management Plan, help managers understand the financial consequences of service choices and support a sustainable medium-term financial position. A key part of the role will be improving how TechnologyOne, financial data and agreed workflows support effective controls and reporting.

What you will do

• Lead and coordinate the integrated Finance work programme, including budget monitoring, budget setting, accounts, treasury, statutory returns and assurance.

• Line manage the three Finance leads, setting clear objectives, balancing workloads and supporting performance, development, succession and resilient cover.

• Direct accounts preparation and recovery activity, reviewing material reconciliations, accounting judgements and the audit trail from the ledger to the financial statements.

• Quality-assure revenue and capital forecasts, the annual budget and medium-term financial plan, challenging assumptions, risks and affordability.

• Maintain and improve the financial control framework, including authorisations, journals, reconciliations, system access, segregation of duties and audit actions.

• Act as Finance business owner for TechnologyOne process and data improvement and coordinate financial input to business cases, savings, benefits and value-for-money reviews.

• Support clear reporting and advice to senior leaders and Members, and deputise for the Head of Finance and Treasurer on specified professional and management matters.

What we are looking for

You must be a recognised CCAB-qualified accountant with current professional membership and evidence of continuing professional development. You will have significant experience of leading public-sector finance delivery, including responsibility for financial statements or major elements of accounts closure and effective work with external audit.

You will combine strong public-sector accounting, budgeting, capital and treasury knowledge with inclusive leadership, sound judgement and the ability to explain complex financial issues clearly. Experience of improving finance systems, data quality, controls and audit evidence is important. CIPFA membership, substantial local government or fire authority finance experience, and experience of TechnologyOne or governed Power BI reporting would be advantageous.

Deputy Section 151 arrangements

The postholder is expected to be separately nominated as Deputy Section 151 Officer, subject to holding the required professional qualification and completion of the appropriate governance arrangements. This designation is personal to the nominated postholder and is not conferred automatically by appointment to the role.

Working with us

The role is based at Service Headquarters in Winsford. Attendance at meetings across Service locations and occasional meetings outside normal office hours may be required. Working arrangements will be discussed in line with Service policies.

CFRS offers an excellent benefits package, including membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, attractive holiday entitlement, training and development opportunities, free parking and access to an on-site gym.

How to apply

Please complete the job application form and provide evidence against the essential requirements in the attached job description and person specification. Please read the Application Guidance Notes before completing your application.

Further information, the full job description and the application form can be found below. Completed applications should be emailed to recruitment@cheshirefire.gov.uk.

Job description

Application guidance notes

Application form

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@cheshirefire.gov.uk to arrange a conversation with the Head of Finance and Treasurer.

Job reference: 36/26/DF

Closing date: 9:00am on Monday 9 November

Selection process and date: Dates to be confirmed. The process is expected to include a technical exercise, presentation and structured interview.

Workplace adjustments and accommodations

Please consider at an early stage whether you would like to request arrangements to assist you in completing the selection process, for example in relation to disability, a neurodiverse condition such as dyslexia, pregnancy, religion or belief, or injury. Requests for workplace adjustments will be treated with the utmost confidence. For support or further information, email recruitment@cheshirefire.gov.uk.

Pre-employment checks and safeguarding

Appointment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is committed to keeping vulnerable adults, children and young people safe from harm in all of its work. The Service recognises its legal and moral safeguarding obligations and that protecting vulnerable adults, children and young people is the responsibility of everyone within the organisation.

Our commitment to inclusion

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive leadership team and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from groups historically underrepresented in the fire and rescue service. We value a broad range of perspectives and experiences and welcome candidates who can demonstrate the strategic insight, leadership capability and commitment to excellence that this role demands.