Case studies

Rishi Sharma – Chief Accountant

I joined Bexley in January 2024 as the Chief Accountant in the Finance & Technical Accounting team. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to lead on several key work areas, which have been both engaging and personally very rewarding. One of my main responsibilities is to lead on the production of the Council’s Statement of Accounts. I joined at a time of ongoing change in the audit and regulatory environment which has meant that no one week at work has been the same, both testing my skills and supporting my own personal development.

Throughout my time here, I have felt encouraged to come up with new ideas and shape processes. There is a drive for teams to collaborate through cross-cutting project work and working groups, and it is through this that I have had an insight into how things operate beyond my own team.

It is a great time to join Bexley, with lots of interesting projects happening, making our work both varied and challenging.

Wesley Guy – Head of Finance Business Partnering – Children’s Services and Education

I’ve worked in Finance at Bexley for over 20 years. I started out as a Business Partner for Adult Social Care before being promoted to my current role of Head of Finance responsible for Children’s Services and Education. My role has often been demanding, but it has given me the opportunity to work at a level which I find rewarding and to feel that I am making a worthwhile contribution to supporting front-line services.

I have enjoyed working as part of a supportive Finance team and Bexley has given me the opportunity to apply my skills to interesting areas of policy and to work with some highly committed colleagues focused on delivering for the local community.

Sarah Neal – Finance Business Partner, Children’s Services

In September 2023 I moved from my role at Bexley as Internal Audit Manager, into Finance Business Partnering, reigniting my accounting background (FCCA). I have always enjoyed the balance of working in a finance environment and helping a service to achieve its goals, helping managers to understand and appreciate the importance of the finance element of their role, whilst trying to demystify finance.

I quickly realized that, whilst my previous accounting roles were predominantly in private companies, the finance role in a local authority was remarkably similar. My learning curve was understanding the challenges in Children’s Services, in order to deliver the best service to them which in turn, would provide the Finance Team with accurate, timely information.

My 16 months have involved monthly monitoring and forecasting of revenue and capital projects – working closely with the service to ensure trends are translated into predicted forecasts, year end closedown, government returns, project involvement, budget holder training. Additionally, numerous requests from finance and Children’s service as ad hoc situations arise and require finance perspective and input.

The role continues to bring new and varied challenges to adapt to the Council’s strategy and direction and its’ financial envelope. This in turn allows personal growth in knowledge, understanding and communication skills creating a rewarding work environment.

Jonathan Idowu – Trainee Accountant

I joined the Council in January 2023 as part of the Management Trainee Scheme. My first rotation was in Finance where I was introduced to essential accounting principles and processes. Through hands-on experience, I developed skills in forecasting, variance analysis, and journal processing, which are critical to managing and understanding budgets and financial performance. It was interesting to see the vital role that the finance department plays in helping services operate on a day-to-day basis by carrying out a range of tasks and providing key analytical information. I enjoyed the Finance department so much that I decided to move across to the Finance Trainee Scheme, which allowed me the opportunity to see finance in action across different departments. As such, I have worked in Place, Adults and Technical Accounting which all have different challenges.

I have been afforded the opportunity to take my ACCA exams during my time at Bexley, which is currently in progress. The structure of the Council has allowed me to develop my practical knowledge and professional understanding. Bexley has offered me a range of different opportunities and tasks that have challenged me and helped me to develop. I have been well supported through my studies and by colleagues who have been there to provide mentorship and allowed me to take ownership of tasks to push myself.

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