Job Description

Senior Accountant – Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP)

Shape the numbers that shape the strategy. Build the financial models that guide Nottingham's future.

📍 Nottingham / Hybrid

💰 Salary: £47,665 - £50,908 per annum

🏢 Finance & Resources Directorate

A finance role at the heart of one of the country's most ambitious finance improvements.

Nottingham City Council has changed significantly in the last twelve months through a programme of modernisation and re-organisation. The new leadership team is revitalising the focus on outcomes and effectiveness whilst building financial sustainability. The Senior Accountant (MTFP) is key to the onward progression and embedding of this change.

At Nottingham City Council, finance isn't just about numbers – it's about making decisions that shape services, support communities, and deliver real change for 331,077 residents. As our Senior Accountant for the Medium Term Financial Plan, you'll be at the analytical heart of that mission – developing the financial models, monitoring the funding streams, and providing the insight that enables senior leaders to make informed decisions about the council's financial future.

This is leadership role for someone who wants to develop their technical expertise in local government finance, work on complex funding and forecasting challenges, and make a tangible impact on how the council plans for the future.

About the Role

You'll be a key member of the Financial Strategy team, working under the Head of Financial Strategy, providing the analytical and technical foundation for the council's medium-term financial planning. Your work will directly inform the MTFP, budget strategy, and the financial advice provided to the council's most senior stakeholders.

You'll be responsible for projecting the longer-term funding envelope for the City Council – including Business Rates, Council Tax, Revenue Support Grant, and specific grants. You'll develop appropriate financial models and analytics to determine the financial impact of future service demands, changes in legislation, and other factors affecting resource requirements. You'll be a subject matter expert on funding and legislative changes that will impact on short and medium-term financial planning, including any changes to future funding reforms.

The reality of the role: Nottingham has set a balanced budget for 2026/27 with a forecast surplus of £1.063m – but the medium-term picture is challenging. The MTFP sets out a net General Fund budget requirement of £419.858m and projects a cumulative budget gap of £37.107m over four years without new savings. The council has identified £11.948m in new savings for 2026/27, but will need to identify at least £50m over the MTFP period. This is because Local Government Reorganisation will likely mean fewer savings can be delivered in the latter years due to organisational capacity.

Your financial models and analysis will directly inform how the council navigates this landscape. You'll need to understand the complexities of Business Rates, the intricacies of Council Tax, and the nuances of government funding reforms. You'll work with the Head of Financial Strategy to feed the latest assumptions and workings into the MTFP reports, CLT strategic budget days, and reports for approval by Executive Board and Full Council.

You'll ensure the accurate monitoring and recording of grants, complete corporate funding-related returns, and monitor Business Rate reliefs and collection to ensure robust processes are in place.

Your Influence and Responsibility

• Analytical foundation: You'll develop and maintain the financial models that underpin the council's medium-term financial planning – your work will inform decisions at the highest level.
• Funding expertise: You'll be a subject matter expert on funding streams, legislative changes, and government reforms – providing insight that shapes the council's financial strategy.
• Process improvement: You'll establish and implement processes for accurate monitoring and reporting of Business Rates, grants, and other funding streams.
• Collaboration: You'll work with colleagues across Finance and the wider council, contributing to the development, implementation, and monitoring of the finance business plan.

What You'll Lead and Influence

• Developing financial models and analytics to determine the financial impact of future service demands and legislative changes
• Supporting the Head of Financial Strategy to advise on the long-term sustainability of the Council
• Projecting the longer-term funding envelope for the council, including Business Rates, Council Tax, RSG, and specific grants
• Maintaining the corporate MTFP timetable to ensure all corporate requirements are planned for and included
• Implementing processes for accurate monitoring and recording of grants
• Completing corporate funding-related returns, including Business Rates NNDR forms and Council Tax base and leaflet requirements
• In partnership with other core cities, SIGOMA, and consultants understand the impact of developments in Local Government funding on the Council’s financial sustainability

Who We're Looking For

You're an experienced finance professional who combines technical expertise with the ability to analyse complex data, develop robust financial models, and communicate insights clearly. You thrive on detail, you're curious about how funding systems work, and you understand that accurate financial planning is the foundation of sound decision-making.

You'll bring:

• CCAB qualified Accountant with diverse experience at a senior level within a local authority setting, or qualified by experience
• A thorough understanding of accounting principles and practice and their applicability to local government accounts
• Ability to demonstrate clear budget management and budget-setting competencies with good knowledge of budget systems, monitoring, and public sector financial regulations
• Experience of supporting the development and delivery of a council-wide MTFP or similar long-term financial strategy
• Experience as a team leader in a complex organisation with similar responsibilities, budget, and resources
• Ability to communicate complex financial information effectively to both finance and non-finance audiences

You'll also bring the behaviours that make a great local government finance professional:

• A methodical, detail-oriented mindset – you take personal pride in the accuracy of financial modelling and the reliability of the data you produce
• A risk-aware, not risk-averse approach – you instinctively spot financial risks and control weaknesses early, but focus on managing those risks rather than shutting down progress entirely
• The ability to work under pressure – you remain calm during high-stakes situations like budget-setting or external scrutiny, and you have a natural instinct to share your knowledge and support colleagues
• A pragmatic, innovative approach – you don't rely on "the way things have always been done"; you proactively look for ways to improve financial modelling and reporting processes
• Political astuteness – you understand the friction between political aspirations and financial realities, and you have the confidence to constructively challenge when required
• A mission-driven, public service orientation – you're genuinely motivated by stewardship and the assurance that every pound of taxpayer money is maximised to best serve the community

Why Nottingham, Why Now?

Few councils have undergone a change of this scale. Having rebuilt financial resilience and restored confidence, we're now focused on long-term excellence.

Nottingham's financial recovery has been remarkable. In November 2023, the council issued a Section 114 notice. By early 2026, the government confirmed its intention to scale back intervention – acknowledging the significant progress made. The council delivered a £20.4m net underspend in 2025/26, did not require Exceptional Financial Support, and set a balanced budget for 2026/27. Debt has fallen from £827m to £292m in six years. These are not just statistics – they represent difficult decisions, disciplined financial management, and a council that has fundamentally changed how it operates.

But the next phase is harder. The council must continue to deliver savings while investing in services. It must navigate a national funding landscape that the Local Government Association warns has a £6.2bn funding gap across 2025–26 and 2026–27. It must manage the financial implications of Local Government Reorganisation – with £28m set aside for preparation costs – while maintaining day-to-day financial control.

Nottingham's relatively high proportion of lower-band properties continues to limit the income it can raise compared with other areas, meaning a greater reliance on government funding and grants. Social care demand remains the main pressure on finances, alongside inflation and wider economic conditions. The Senior Accountant (MTFP) will be at the centre of this work – developing the models, monitoring the funding streams, and providing the analysis that will shape Nottingham's financial future.

This is a role for someone who understands that in local government, the numbers are not just numbers – they represent services, communities, and the future of a city.

We offer:

• Local Government Pension Scheme – one of the most generous in the country
• Hybrid working – flexibility to balance office and home
• Flexible working arrangements
• Ongoing learning and development
• A supportive, inclusive culture
• Up to 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays increasing with time served
• Employee wellbeing support

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are proud to be an inclusive employer where everyone is valued and respected. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

We particularly welcome applications from:

• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities
• LGBT+ communities
• Disabled people

♿ Disability Confident Employer – guaranteed interview scheme available (let us know if you which to apply under this scheme)

🎖️Armed Forces Covenant signatory

Ready to shape the numbers that shape Nottingham's future?

If you're an experienced finance professional who thrives on challenge and wants to make a tangible impact, we want to hear from you.

👉 Apply now and shape the future of Nottingham.

For informal enquiries, please contact:

Larry Seymour, Finance Transformation Lead

larry.seymour@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Shape the future of public finance. Lead here.

You can find the job description for this post here.

At Nottingham City Council we believe that work is what you do, not where you do it. We offer different working arrangements, depending on the role, including hybrid working. Further information on Worker Types and what these mean in terms of how and where you work can be found on the additional information for applicants page.

Closing Date: 8 November 2026

Please note there may be occasions where we close the advert before the closing date and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Interviews will be held: TBC

If you have any technical issues when completing your application, please contact our Employee Service Centre: https://emss.org.uk/support

By applying to this job, you agree to our Terms & Conditions.

Thank you for your interest in working for Nottingham City Council. As one of the largest employers in Nottingham we offer a wide range of roles across a range of services. In return for your skill, drive and commitment to serving the people of Nottingham, we can help you to develop an exciting and rewarding career, with access to the following benefits.

In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to:

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 33 days after 5 years’ service) + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually
• Access to a generous, defined benefit pension scheme offering 17.9%
• Smart Working – to support your work life balance
• Health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres, cinema, shopping and much more!

Nottingham City Council is committed to recruiting a talented workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are a fair, inclusive and Disability Confident Employer, welcoming applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and abilities. We recruit for diversity and value difference.

If you are a disabled candidate and wish to be considered under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this within your application. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and employment journey.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving personnel, veterans, reservists and military families.

We particularly want to hear from you if you are from Minority Ethnic communities, identify within the LGBTQ+ community, or are disabled. These groups are currently underrepresented in our workforce, and we are committed to better reflecting the communities we serve.

We are supportive of flexible working arrangements wherever possible and encourage candidates to discuss this with us during the recruitment process.