The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Advisor is responsible for providing high-quality financial leadership, planning, and analysis to ensure the long-term sustainability and compliance of the Housing Revenue Account. The role will lead on financial strategy, business planning, and investment appraisals ensuring that financial decisions support the delivery of the organisations housing objectives, capital investment programmes, and asset management strategy.
To:
• Provide strategic financial leadership on the preparation, development, and monitoring of the HRA 30-year business plan, ensuring it remains robust, sustainable, and aligned to corporate and housing strategies.
• Strategic financial advice suitable for senior leaders, Cabinet Members, and service directors on all aspects of the HRA.
• Drive financial modelling and scenario analysis to assess the impact of rent policy, inflation, investment needs, and housing growth plans.
• Ensure the HRA complies with statutory requirements, CIPFA Codes of Practice, and local government financial frameworks.
• Undertake financial planning and reporting, oversee the preparation and management of annual budgets, forecasts, and medium-term financial plans for the HRA.
• Lead on producing the HRA outturn and monitoring reports, including variance analysis and performance insights.
• Provide accurate and timely financial information to support housing, asset management, and capital investment decisions.
• Work collaboratively with internal audit, external audit, and treasury teams to maintain strong governance and assurance.
• Undertake capital investment and asset management and support the delivery of the capital programme for housing, including new build schemes, decarbonisation, and major repairs.
• Work collaboratively with relevant Directorates on the financial appraisal of housing development projects, regeneration schemes, and stock investment proposals.
• Ensure capital financing decisions (including borrowing, grants, and reserves) are optimised to support long-term HRA sustainability.
• Provide leadership and collaboration by example and build strong partnerships with other service areas.
• Provide expert guidance to non-financial managers to enhance financial literacy across the housing service.
• Ensure that the HRA is managed in full compliance with relevant legislation, guidance, and accounting standards.
• Maintain and develop financial controls, policies, and risk management processes to safeguard HRA resources.
• Lead on internal and external audit processes related to HRA financial management.
Key Skills & Experience:
• Significant experience in local authority or social housing finance, particularly in managing or advising on HRAs
• Proven experience of long-term financial planning, business modelling, and investment appraisal.
• Demonstrable experience of working with senior stakeholders to inform and influence strategic decision-making.
• Experience leading finance support for housing development or regeneration programmes.
• Experience using financial planning tools.
• Strong understanding of housing policy, capital financing frameworks, and rent setting regulations.
• Knowledge of government funding programmes, such as Affordable Homes Programme or Decent Homes standards.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and accuracy .
• Strong communication and presentation skills, able to convey complex financial issues to non-financial audiences.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to financial risk management.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence and challenge.
• CCAB-qualified accountant or equivalent.
To apply for this post, please forward your CV with your contact details and a consultant will call you to discuss.
Bamberry Consulting is a specialist recruitment company for the public sector operating since 2012. We are an equal opportunity recruiter and employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.