Surrey County Council
Finance Lead – Combined Fire and Rescue Authority (CFRA)
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The starting salary for this role is £73,317 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.
This is a fixed-term opportunity for up to six months, ending no later than 31 March 2027.
We are looking for a Finance Lead to work alongside us as we prepare for the creation of a new Combined Fire and Rescue Authority (CFRA) following Local Government Reorganisation.
This is a time-critical opportunity to shape the financial foundations of the future Combined Fire and Rescue Authority. By establishing robust financial governance, systems and transition arrangements, you will directly influence the authority’s readiness for Vesting Day, its long-term financial sustainability and its ability to meet statutory responsibilities from day one.
Our Offer to You
- 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service (pro rated for part time opportunities)
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
- An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
- Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
- A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents
About The Role
As Finance Lead for the Combined Fire and Rescue Authority (CFRA) Theme, you will provide dedicated, specialist financial expertise to support Surrey Fire and Rescue Service through the financial requirements arising from Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (D&LGR).
Working closely with the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, senior leaders, corporate colleagues and external partners, you will lead the CFRA finance-related elements of the transition from Surrey County Council (SCC). You will help establish robust, legally compliant and operationally effective financial arrangements for the future authority, supporting strong governance, financial sustainability, statutory assurance, and service continuity.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
You will lead and coordinate the CFRA finance-related workstream associated with the transition programme, helping to design and implement the future financial operating model.
This role will also lead the finance elements of devolution and local government reorganisation, overseeing financial disaggregation and helping to shape a financially sustainable future authority. It is responsible for establishing the organisation’s financial governance, planning, management and control frameworks, including budgets, reserves, assets, liabilities and statutory Section 151 arrangements. Working closely with procurement, audit and corporate support teams, the post ensures financial processes are successfully transitioned from Surrey County Council while maintaining compliance, managing risk and providing assurance that the new authority can meet its statutory financial responsibilities.
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Key Projects and Goals
During this fixed-term appointment, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the future Combined Fire and Rescue Authority is financially prepared to operate as an independent organisation from Vesting Day. The role will focus on establishing a sustainable financial operating model, embedding robust governance, control and reporting arrangements, and progressing key financial planning activities, including budgeting, reserves, assets, liabilities, treasury management and precepting. Working through the transition from Surrey County Council, the postholder will identify and address financial risks, dependencies and gaps, while ensuring effective handover arrangements are in place to support the future Section 151 Officer and the authority's long term financial resilience.
Shortlisting Criteria
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
- Professionally qualified accountant (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) with substantial senior level finance experience in a large, complex organisation.
- Extensive knowledge of local government finance, financial governance, budget management, treasury management and statutory financial responsibilities.
- Proven track record of leading complex financial change, organisational transformation, service redesign and the implementation of new governance and financial frameworks.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess financial risks, evaluate options and develop practical solutions.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and credibility with senior leaders, stakeholders and external partners.
- Experience of project and change management, continuous improvement and ongoing professional and leadership development.
To apply
To apply, we request that you submit a CV and answer the following four questions:
- Please describe a complex financial transformation, disaggregation or organisational change programme in which you have held a senior role. What was your personal contribution, what challenges did you address and what outcomes did you achieve?
- Please provide an example of how you have developed or strengthened a sustainable financial operating model, including its governance, controls and reporting arrangements, within local government or another complex public-sector organisation. What approach did you take and what impact did your work have?
- Please explain how your knowledge and experience of local government finance would enable you to establish the key financial arrangements required by a new standalone authority. Please use relevant examples covering areas such as budget setting and medium-term financial planning, reserves, assets and liabilities, treasury management, statutory reporting and precepting.
- This role will require delivery at pace through professional leadership and influence, without direct line management responsibility. Please provide an example of how you have brought senior leaders, professional teams and partners together to deliver a time-critical and complex outcome. How did you manage competing priorities, communicate risks and secure the decisions required?
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Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Sally Wilson via email at sally.wilson@surreycc.gov.uk.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 21/09/2026, with interviews planned in the following weeks. Date to be confirmed.
Our Commitment
We are a Disability Confident employer. This means that if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced that you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we are committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need. We value inclusion and warmly welcome you to help build a workplace where everyone belongs.
Local Government Reorganisation
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation and will move to new authorities in April 2027. This role is currently employed by Surrey County Council and will remain so until then. If you are employed by Surrey County Council on 1 April 2027, your employment will transfer under TUPE arrangements to one of the new councils, with your current terms and conditions protected. The provisional allocation for this post is the Combined Fire and Rescue Authority subject to final confirmation through the wider transition process later this year. Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.
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