One of the most insightful outcomes from our Future of Finance interview series has been the advice the finance directors we interviewed imparted for those considering or at an early stage in their Public Finance career. 

Our conversations with s151s and their deputies have been honest, thought-provoking, and while concerning issues have come up time and again, they have been encouraging and energising in their optimism. What was clear throughout these conversations is that despite facing some of the toughest financial conditions in decades, the sector and those working within it are brimming with innovation, resilience, and a deep commitment to delivering better outcomes for communities. 

We have collated the great advice we heard from across these discussions for those considering embarking on a career in public sector finance. What stood out most in our conversations was how much finance leaders still love their jobs — despite the pressures, they remain passionate about the variety, the influence, and the chance to make a direct difference to people’s lives. Their advice for those joining the sector emphasised how rewarding a public sector finance career can be and was both practical and inspiring: 

Build breadth as well as depth

We discussed how many of today’s finance leaders started their career on graduate and trainee schemes that gave them exposure across services. They recommended seeking out opportunities to work across different services and functions. Understanding the frontline context — not just the finance — is what will make you a credible and trusted partner. Graduate and trainee schemes once played a crucial role in this, and where they still exist, they are a great springboard for progressing with impact. 

Invest in new skills and recognise that the role is changing  

The traditional accountancy toolkit and qualifications are no longer enough. Skills in digital, data analytics, communication, and green finance are now central to the role. Be curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. The job today is about influence, politics, and communication as much as technical accounting. Be ready to tell the story behind the data, to frame finance in terms of impact on residents, to manage stakeholders and to work as an enabler of change. 

Build resilience and networks early.

Finance leadership can be lonely. The responsibility is heavy, the risk is real, and the resilience required is high. Leaders were candid about the importance of finding mentors, peers, and allies who can offer advice and perspective. Investing in building a support network to share experiences with can make a huge difference — both to your effectiveness and your resilience, which will help you thrive. 

Back yourself — and find your voice.

Several interviewees talked about the importance of confidence. The sector needs leaders who can make tough decisions, challenge assumptions, and inspire change. Whether by influencing political decisions, driving innovation, or collaborating across systems, finance professionals have the power to set direction and enable transformation. That means having confidence in your ability to learn, adapt, step up, and trust your judgement. 

Don’t neglect the bigger picture.

It can be easy to get caught up in immediate financial pressures, but the most effective finance professionals keep their focus on the long-term outcomes for residents and communities. You are not just balancing budgets — you are shaping services, influencing outcomes, and improving communities. Every decision you make has the potential to impact lives. As one leader put it, “You have the power to change more than you think.”  

We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, insights, and energy to this series to paint a picture of a sector that, while under pressure, is full of opportunity, resilience and ambition. We are excited to continue working alongside our interviewees and other finance leaders, as well as those early in their careers, to shape the future — building and supporting finance functions that are resilient, strategic, and deeply connected to the places and people they serve. 

If you would like to talk to us about how we can help you take your Local Authority finance ambitions forward and support your succession planning, please get in touch. We believe that now is the time to plan for the future of finance.  

 From Insights to Action: How 31ten Can Help 

At 31ten, we are already working with councils to address many of the themes and opportunities raised in the Future of Finance series. We can support you to: 

Strengthen your finance workforce and leadership pipeline
➔ We worked with Surrey County Council to design and deliver a leadership programme to support the council’s ambitions to become a more agile organisation and develop the capabilities of its leaders.  

Redesign and future-proof your finance function
➔ We have supported councils like Brent, Peterborough, Brighton and Haringey with financial strategy refreshes for EFS and their MTFS to help manage financial pressures:
➔We worked with Haringey to complete a rapid, cross-departmental review and identified £20–39m in potential savings, focusing on Adult Social Care, Temporary Accommodation, and Children’s Social Care, and are now supporting delivery of key programmes.
➔We worked with Peterborough to transform their business support services, implementing a centralised ‘hub and spoke’ model with automation and digital technology, delivering c.£3m in savings.
➔We worked with Brent to analyse services, identify cost drivers, and develop evidence-based recommendations that identified £12m savings for the next financial year across digital, resident experience, reviewing third party spend, income generation and workforce transformation to achieve sustainable financial savings.