Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council - Senior Finance Manager – Systems Accounting

Join Our Finance Team - Build your career. Shape our borough. Grow with us.

Tameside Council is transforming its Finance Service to create a modern, ambitious and highly skilled function. We are building a team that is strategic, forward‑thinking and committed to continuous improvement, and we are looking for talented people who want to grow with us.

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Senior Finance Manager to lead our Systems Accounting function within the Corporate Finance team, with a strong focus on maximising the value of our existing (but not limited to) Unit4 (ERP) platform. This is a pivotal role driving the effective use, development, and optimisation of financial systems to support high-quality reporting, robust controls, and efficient processes across the Council

As lead on systems accounting, you will act as the key interface between finance and digital services, ensuring that Unit4 is fully aligned with business needs and enabling transformation through system improvements, automation, and data insight. Responsible for maintaining the integrity of the general ledger and associated modules, including workflow, reporting, and data structures, alongside overseeing system controls, user access, and governance to ensure compliance with audit and regulatory standards while continually seeking opportunities to enhance user experience and streamline processes.

You will provide expert support and training to finance teams and budget holders, promoting consistent and effective use of Unit4 across the organisation. You will play a pivotal role in financial transformation initiatives, leveraging system functionality to enable more timely, accurate, and insightful financial reporting, supporting strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.

This role is ideal for a forward-thinking finance professional with strong technical systems expertise, a deep understanding of Unit4, and a passion for driving continuous improvement through digital innovation.

If you're passionate about high‑quality financial management and want to work in an organisation where your development truly matters, this is your opportunity to apply for a key role in the finance team.

Why Choose Tameside?

A culture of learning, growth and progression

A cornerstone of our People Plan is Learning & Growth, and our Finance Development Pathway is designed to support every colleague—from Apprentice to Head of Finance—to build a meaningful and fulfilling career.

Here, your career progression is not left to chance. We provide:

• Clear development pathways showing how your role can evolve over time—from exploring and expanding your skills, to moving sideways for broader experience, to progressing into more senior positions.
• Supported qualifications, including AAT, CIPFA and leadership & management programmes.
• A strong culture of development through My Performance conversations, shadowing, mentoring and structured skills-building.

Opportunities to move up—and move across

Career development isn’t always linear. Our Finance Development Pathway supports:

Moving Up

Progress to the next career step with the right experience and qualifications—supported by a wide range of learning and development options.

Moving Sideways

Voluntary rotational opportunities (every two years) let you broaden experience, expand your knowledge across finance disciplines and build a stronger professional profile.

Growing in Your Current Role

Take on new learning opportunities, join employee networks, become a Wellbeing Champion, shadow colleagues, or develop specialist interests.

A supportive, value‑driven organisation

Our STRIVE values—Supportive, Team‑focused, Respectful, Innovative, Valued, Empowering—shape how we work.

We offer:

• Competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme
• 36‑hour working week and flexible working
• Access to eLearning, leadership programmes, coaching and a wide array of short courses
• A culture where your contribution is valued and your ideas are heard

Senior Finance Manager

The Role

As a Senior Finance Manager, you will be an existing CCAB/CIMA Qualified Accountant with sustained membership who will lead a professional team delivering strategic financial planning, governance, assurance and value‑for‑money outcomes. You will influence major decisions across the Council, strengthen financial integrity, and support organisational transformation. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop your finance team, embedding a high‑performance culture.
• Oversee the annual revenue budget, MTFS, financial planning and year‑end accounts.
• Provide strategic financial advice to senior officers and elected members.
• Drive improvements, transformation and innovation in financial management.
• Provide objective challenge and ensure strong financial governance.
• Build strong relationships across services and support long‑term planning.
• Provide expertise in dedicated roles that support a number of functions including Treasury Management, Capital Finance, VAT, PFI, Financial Systems Improvements, All Age Commissioning, Adult Services including Client Finance, Public Health, Neighbourhood and Operational Services, Growth and Regeneration

Development & Progression

The Development Pathway provides a structured route to becoming a future Head Of Finance including:

• Leadership & management qualifications
• Strategic leadership development
• Opportunities to mentor future finance professionals
• Exposure to policy and regulatory interpretation
• Projects linked to innovation and service transformation

Our Commitment to Your Progression

To support genuine progression opportunities, all vacancies up to Senior Finance Manager level are initially ringfenced to the Financial Management service, giving internal colleagues priority to step up when ready.

We also recognise that many internal colleagues study alongside their role—so vacancies remain open for up to six months to allow near‑complete qualifications to be achieved.

At Tameside, your growth matters—and we back it with real opportunities.

** This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:

1. Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above AND a management qualification, AND

2. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND

3. Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND

4. Professional standards practised to the highest expected level

For more information on this and other roles we are currently recruiting for, please visit: https://www.leadingtameside.com/ 

You can find the full Job Description for the role Here

For a confidential discussion please contact brian.gallagher@penna.com or 07716 098175

How to Apply

1.    Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”

2.    Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.

3.    Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.

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5.    Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.

6.    If you have a long-term health condition or disability and would like your application to be considered in accordance with a Disability Confident Scheme, please email: execapplications@penna.com, to inform the Penna team.