Job Title: Finance Process Manager
Contract: Permanent
Working Hours: 37*
Salary: £51,928.00 to £ 57,333.00
Location: Kelvedon Park *
Closing Date: 12:00pm 21st September 2026
*We are open to discuss working arrangements including flexibility over hours and location, however the expectation is that, as a hybrid role your work will be balanced between home and Services facilities, and you will be expected to attend the Service premises for at least 3 days of a 5-day working week.
The Role
Are you a Finance Process Manager who would like to work for one of the largest fire and rescue services in the country and be part of the wider team that has been shortlisted for Public Finance Awards 2026 Finance Team of the Year –
Frontline Services?
We’re looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Finance Process Manager to lead our finance operations, including accounts payable and receivable workflows. You’ll play a key role in improving processes and supporting the financial integrity of a Service that protects lives and communities making Essex Safer Together.
What You Will Be Working On
Daily cash management including cashflow forecast, investment of surplus cash and transfers between operating bank accounts in accordance with bank facilities.
Manage the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams of ECFRS, supporting the team of three with queries and actively improving KPI’s.
Maintaining all balance sheet reconciliations on a monthly basis, including the reconciliation of payroll journals to HR records.
Ownership of the month end process, including posting all prepayments, accruals, deferred income and accrued income entries.
Managing and processing the weekly payment runs of supplier invoices to the value of up to £1m and above. To advise on VAT issues, manage the production of monthly VAT returns and perform the annual partial exemption calculation.
Assist in the delivery of the year-end financial statements, including preparation of audit deliverables and responding to audit queries.
Eligibility
Experience of managing accounts payable and/or accounts receivable processes team
Qualified or part qualified in one of the accountancy associations (qualified by experience maybe considered)
Experience with ERP financial system, ideally with Unit 4 ERP
If you are an internal candidate, you must have discussed your application with your line manager and confirmed with them there are no outstanding issues of conduct or performance. This will be verified prior to shortlisting.
How to apply
You will be required to submit a CV detailing a minimum of five years employment and / or education history, along with a supporting statement of no more than 750 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria detailed in the Person Specification.
You may submit this either as a word document, pdf, or an mp3 (voice note) or mp4 (video), however the word count of your supporting statement should not exceed 750 words no matter which format you choose to present your application.
You may attach separate documents (such as qualifications) should you wish. Your CV and additional documents will be referred to in shortlisting to confirm eligibility (e.g., your current role and any existing qualifications).
Assessment and selection:
The assessment and selection approach will be:
Stage 1
21th September 2026; outcomes communicated by 24th September 2026
Application & shortlisting (assessment of your supporting statement will be made against the essential criteria of the Person Specification)
Stage 2
7th and 8th October 2026
Role specific panel interview, presentation and an in-tray exercise – details on this will be supplied after shortlisting
Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact recruitment at recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk
Our Culture and Benefits
Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees.
You can find out more about our benefits at https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/recruitment/benefits
Important Information for Firefighter Pension Scheme Pensioners
If you are currently in receipt of a pension from the Firefighter Pension Scheme, please note that taking up this role may affect your pension. Under pension abatement rules, if your earnings in this role, when combined with your pension, exceed your pre-retirement salary (adjusted for inflation), your pension may be reduced.
For further guidance, please contact our Pensions team on 01376 576799 or email mailbox.pensions@essex-fire.gov.uk
Safeguarding
Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service.
You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults.
The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying.
This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Disability Confident
We are an equal opportunity, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Applications are considered solely on merit.
Should you wish to discuss support, or access further information, from one of these groups, please contact Equality.Diversity@essex-fire.gov.uk
You are also able to raise any queries or requests for support, including any adjustments you may require, at any stage of the process by email to recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk
You can find out more about Essex County Fire & Rescue Service via www.essex-fire.gov.uk and about our vacancies and application processes via www.essex-fire.gov.uk/join-essex-fire