Job Description

About the role

A number of exciting opportunities have become available at Rochdale Council in the Finance Service, which has a strong background and wishes to grow in its knowledge and improvements especially in areas of automation and best practice.


Rochdale Council has a high achieving and well managed finance team:-


The Council was the first in Greater Manchester to receive full audit sign off for their 2023/24 Statement of Accounts, and have not been impacted by the audit backstop dates, and were the first in Greater Manchester to publish the draft Statement of Accounts for 2024/25. The Council has set a balanced budget for 2025/26 and has a relatively low/ manageable budget gap for 2026/27. The Council has healthy reserve balances, used to support short term funding and investment requirements whilst longer term financial solutions are sought.

The Council is entering into a transformation era, so this is an exciting time to be involved in shaping the service for the future, and getting the most out of our systems, to promote better informed decisions and improved outcomes for Rochdale.


There are 3 positions available:

Senior Finance Officer Corporate Finance Senior Finance Officer Corporate Finance Senior Finance Officer Tax and Treasury


The postholder will be responsible for:



The delivery of accurate and robust financial information to support the Council's statutory and business critical financial functions (including Budget Setting, Budget Monitoring, Closure of Accounts and input into key Service and Council wide developments) to strict deadlines. Ensuring that administration and control arrangements are implemented to so that the Council's financial systems are effective and robust; Providing support to enable effective, informed decision making within the Council through scrutiny/review of financial information; Ensuring that the delivery of core functions is achieved through automation and streamlining of processes, maximising the use of the available resources; Ensuring that staff within Finance Services and other Directorates of the Council are suitably trained and equipped to fulfil their financial responsibilities through training, support and advice.

Career Progression

The successful candidates will have a wide support network while they develop into the role and will be supported to work towards future career progression, and be helped to prepare to develop into one of the Senior Accountant roles within finance, if they have aspirations to do so (Please see structure chart attached). The Council provides internal training courses to help staff to continue to develop and gain the necessary skills to progress in their career.

About you

The successful candidate will hold an AAT qualification (or equivalent) and have financial management experience within a large organisation. A track record of providing services to meet stakeholder needs, experience of staff management, and the ability to work in a pressurised environment, delivering priority work in a timely and accurate manner, are essential.

About us

To apply for this job role please demonstrate how you meet the 7 key person specification requirements set out in the role profile.


The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects staff to share this commitment.


If you are interested in what we are offering, and have the skills we are looking for we want to hear from you. If you would like to discuss the posts further please contact Karen Howorth, Senior Accountant (Corporate) on 01706 925473.


Please include reference to your qualifications that are specified on the person specification within your application

Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role