Our qualified finance professionals are the first point of contact for financial advice and support at Essex County Council. As part of the team you’ll use your skills to the full whilst gaining real exposure to a range of business areas.
Our Financial Services team comprises four crucial areas: Financial Strategy and Analysis, Financial Accounting, Finance Business Partnering, and Funding and Investment.
Beyond this, Financial Services collaborates with partners across the Essex finance community to secure the best value for money for Essex residents. This includes the operation of Pan-Essex agreements on fraud, council tax and business rates, lobbying and influencing central government to ensure fair and sustainable funding settlements, developing financial capability in others, and exploring opportunities with partners for joint working. Innovation, empowerment and partnership are key to our effective working.
Financial Strategy and Analysis
Financial Accounting
Finance Business Partnering
Funding and Investment
Partner Bodies and other services
Financial Strategy and Analysis
The team develops overall financial strategy for the short and long term. They provide the financial insight that enables decision making through business case development and formal decision making at a senior level.
Financial Accounting
Our team provides technical expertise in financial accounting, advising on compliance with accounting codes, standards and regulations and we deliver the Council’s statutory financial reporting requirements, including the annual statement of accounts. We are also responsible for developing annual strategies for the Council’s borrowing and investment activities, and for delivering these activities in accordance with those strategies. Finally, we assess and advise on the financial standing of suppliers bidding for contracts with the Council and provide advisory services for taxation.
Finance Business Partnering
Everyone from Cabinet Members and Executive Directors to Project Managers comes to our team for financial advice. We deliver this through a Business Partnering Model, which provides financial insight, advice and guidance to deliver robust financial management and aid strategic planning.
Funding and Investment
This team offers end-to-end funding consultancy services and bespoke support packages designed to maximise the chances of successfully securing funding. They raise awareness of funding and financing opportunities across the UK, Europe and internationally. If it’s needed, they provide training and bidding capacity too. The team supports a wide range of clients, enabling organisations (be that public, private or third sector) to buy-in the capacity and resource they need, when they need it. It is a highly flexible model which allows us to adapt to the needs of the customer.
Partner Bodies and other services
The Financial Services team doesn’t solely support Essex County Council. They also provide statutory services for Rochford District Council and financial support to a number of other partner bodies such as Essex Cares, the Haven Gateway Partnership and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.
My general analytical capability and strategic corporate view means that I am much more than just an accountant providing financial support.
James, Head of Finance
How did your career with Essex start?
I joined Essex County Council (ECC) at the start of 2015 having spent the majority of my career prior to that with the Police. The finance business partner role at ECC is at the heart of strategic decision making and I spent my first 12 months working with the Highways and Transportation leadership helping them shape their services for the future within an increasingly challenging financial context.
Where did you go from there?
More recently I have been working with the council’s transformation programme, helping them to develop a plan for the period up to 2021. In both of these roles my involvement has been much broader than the pure financial aspects – my general analytical capability and strategic corporate view means that I am much more than just an accountant providing financial support. I have also had a fantastic opportunity to work with a handful of colleagues on a skills development programme for financial services staff. It ensures the department is continually moving in the right direction and giving excellent customer service.
What stands out for you?
The great thing about working for ECC is the opportunity to work with others from a broad range of disciplines to build sustainable services for the future that really make a difference to the people and businesses of Essex. I have learned an incredible amount in the time I have been with ECC and I have definitely developed into a much more rounded finance professional with a broader outlook and a more extensive skill set.
Step 1: Online application
Online Application - You can complete a quick online application with us by either uploading your CV or completing an online application form. You will receive a confirmation email to let you know we have your application
Step 2: Shortlisting
Once our advertising process has finished, we will review our applications and let you know if we would like to invite you to an interview. At this stage you may also be invited to join our talent pool where you will receive updates on future opportunities with us.
Step 3: Interview and assessment
The interview and assessment process could take many forms, dependent on the role you are applying for but the recruitment team will always let you know what to expect.
Step 4: Decision
Within a week of your assessment we’ll be able to let you know whether you’ve been successful in applying for a role with us.
Step 5: Compliance safeguarding checks
Once you have been offered a role we will invite you to meet with us to start your pre-employment checks.
Application process
