Head of Financial Reporting
| Posting date: | 24 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £68,505 to £74,122 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 10 April 2026 |
| Location: | Berkshire, South East England |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 1 day per week |
| Company: | Bracknell Forest Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | RS/26/333488 |
Summary
If you are a senior accountant looking for a role with real influence and flexibility, this could be your next step.
This newly created role reflects the importance of strong financial reporting, governance and statutory compliance in an increasingly challenging local government finance environment.
As our Head of Financial Reporting, you will take strategic ownership of how the Council demonstrates transparency, accountability and value for money, embedding high standards that will endure well beyond annual reporting cycles. Working closely with senior leadership, your judgement, leadership and technical credibility will be highly visible, trusted and influential at the highest level of the organisation.
Bracknell Forest Council is a financially well-managed authority with a strong track record of innovation and improvement. We offer a supportive and professional finance team, flexible and hybrid working arrangements and the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the Council’s financial reporting and governance arrangements.
About you
You will be a CCAB qualified accountant with significant local authority financial reporting experience and strong technical accounting knowledge including experience of closedown and audit. You will be confident operating at senior level and able to explain complex financial issues clearly to senior officers and councillors. You will be highly organised and able to motivate others to deliver to tight timescales.
About the team
You will be joining a highly skilled and respected finance team with a strong track record of innovation, improvement, and effective financial management. Colleagues work collaboratively, share expertise and support each other to deliver high‑quality financial reporting and governance. As part of a well‑run authority that values transparency and accountability, you will be surrounded by professionals who take pride in their work and are committed to excellence.
Key responsibilities
As our Head of Financial Reporting, you will:
Lead on the preparation of the Council’s Statement of Accounts, including liaison with external auditors
Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, codes of practice, and statutory reporting requirements
Support the s151 Officer in discharging statutory responsibilities
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Arthur Parker on 01344 352158, Arthur.parker@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Our values
At Bracknell Forest Council, our values - inclusive, ambitious and always learning - shape how we work and how we support our communities. We live these values every day, and if you want to join a diverse, learning focused service that strives for excellence, we’d love to hear from you.
Our benefits…
28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days
Career development through internal and external training opportunities
1 days paid volunteering leave a year
Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover
Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility)
Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club
Interviews will be held on 16 April 2026.
Interviews will be held in person, giving you the opportunity to meet the team and get a real feel for our working environment.
Reasonable adjustments
As an inclusive employer, please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments at application or contact recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.
Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria.
This newly created role reflects the importance of strong financial reporting, governance and statutory compliance in an increasingly challenging local government finance environment.
As our Head of Financial Reporting, you will take strategic ownership of how the Council demonstrates transparency, accountability and value for money, embedding high standards that will endure well beyond annual reporting cycles. Working closely with senior leadership, your judgement, leadership and technical credibility will be highly visible, trusted and influential at the highest level of the organisation.
Bracknell Forest Council is a financially well-managed authority with a strong track record of innovation and improvement. We offer a supportive and professional finance team, flexible and hybrid working arrangements and the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the Council’s financial reporting and governance arrangements.
About you
You will be a CCAB qualified accountant with significant local authority financial reporting experience and strong technical accounting knowledge including experience of closedown and audit. You will be confident operating at senior level and able to explain complex financial issues clearly to senior officers and councillors. You will be highly organised and able to motivate others to deliver to tight timescales.
About the team
You will be joining a highly skilled and respected finance team with a strong track record of innovation, improvement, and effective financial management. Colleagues work collaboratively, share expertise and support each other to deliver high‑quality financial reporting and governance. As part of a well‑run authority that values transparency and accountability, you will be surrounded by professionals who take pride in their work and are committed to excellence.
Key responsibilities
As our Head of Financial Reporting, you will:
Lead on the preparation of the Council’s Statement of Accounts, including liaison with external auditors
Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, codes of practice, and statutory reporting requirements
Support the s151 Officer in discharging statutory responsibilities
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Arthur Parker on 01344 352158, Arthur.parker@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Our values
At Bracknell Forest Council, our values - inclusive, ambitious and always learning - shape how we work and how we support our communities. We live these values every day, and if you want to join a diverse, learning focused service that strives for excellence, we’d love to hear from you.
Our benefits…
28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days
Career development through internal and external training opportunities
1 days paid volunteering leave a year
Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover
Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility)
Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club
Interviews will be held on 16 April 2026.
Interviews will be held in person, giving you the opportunity to meet the team and get a real feel for our working environment.
Reasonable adjustments
As an inclusive employer, please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments at application or contact recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
We can only accept applications from candidates currently residing in the UK.
Candidates currently residing in the UK who require sponsorship to work are encouraged to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) based on the relevant criteria.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.