Finance Assistant

WMJobs; Oldbury; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council is hiring a Finance Assistant to join the Finance Division on a full-time, permanent basis. Based at Oldbury, the role involves daily banking, ledger reconciliations, and supporting statutory reporting within a hybrid working model (3 days in the office, 2 from home).

The ideal candidate is actively pursuing the AAT qualification, with demonstrable financial management experience, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and knowledge of local authority finance and

Qualifications

• Actively studying towards the AAT qualification or equivalent.
• Experience in a financial management environment, preferably in a public sector setting.
• Experience using corporate financial and business systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office packages (Excel/Word/PowerPoint).
• Understanding of local authority finance, budgeting and accounting processes is preferable.

Responsibilities

• Undertake daily banking and cashflow processes.
• Monitor Treasury Management inbox and correspondence.
• Maintain ledger and perform reconciliations.
• Assist with statistical returns and reporting.
• Monitor signatory mandates and schedules.
• Support financial monitoring, including projections to required timescales.
• Assist year-end activities and contribute to process improvements.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Education

AAT qualification

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,

Job Title: Finance Assistant

Grade/Salary: Band E, SCP 18-25 (£31,537 - £36,363 per annum)

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Working Pattern: 37 Hours, Monday - Friday

Location: Sandwell Council House, Freeth St Oldbury B69 3DE

Closing Date: 31/08/2026

Sandwell Council’s Finance Division is seeking a detail‑oriented Finance Assistant to join its accounting team on a full-time, permanent basis, to be based from its Oldbury office. The organisation works to a hybrid working model of 3 days in the office and 2 days from home.

Reporting to an Assistant Finance Business Partner, you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of high-quality financial services across the organisation.

This varied position offers the opportunity to contribute to daily treasury and cashflow operations, financial monitoring and reporting, ledger reconciliations, year‑end accounts preparation, and the ongoing development of financial systems and processes. You will also provide financial advice and guidance to colleagues, support statutory and statistical reporting requirements, and help ensure strong financial controls are maintained.

The ideal candidate will have excellent numerical and analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders. You will be organised, adaptable, and committed to delivering accurate work to challenging deadlines while contributing to continuous service improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional looking to develop their career within a dynamic and supportive environment while gaining exposure to a broad range of financial management activities.

About The Role

• Undertake the daily banking and cashflow process
• Monitor and address all correspondence within the Treasury Management inbox
• Undertake ledger maintenance and reconciliation
• Assist with the completion of statistical returns
• Monitor and update the signatory mandates and schedules
• Assist with the preparation of financial monitoring, including financial projections, to agreed (often challenging) timescales and standards
• Undertake financial year end activities in accordance with agreed processes and timescales
• Such other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post to assist the Thematic Area in the fulfilment of its objectives commensurate with the post holder's salary grade, abilities and aptitudes.

About You

• Actively studying towards the AAT qualification or equivalent
• Demonstratable experience gained in a financial management environment preferably at least some in a public sector environment
• Experience of using corporate financial and business systems
• Knowledge (preferably advanced) of and ability to utilise Microsoft office-based packages (e.g. power point, excel, word)
• Understanding of local authority finance, budgeting and accounting processes and procedures is preferable.

Why Sandwell Council?

At Sandwell Council, our work has a real impact. We are proud to be a values‑led organisation that supports its employees with excellent benefits, a competitive remuneration package, and a strong focus on development. By joining us, you’ll play a key role in delivering services that make a real and lasting difference to thousands of people across the borough.

To find out more, please visit our careers page: We Are Sandwell – We Are Sandwell

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a high number of applications be received. Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

If you are an internal candidate and currently at risk, please let the recruiting manager know.

We place equality, diversity and inclusion at the core of who we are and how we lead, where every voice matters.

At Sandwell, we recognise and value the richness that comes from diverse lived experiences, perspectives, backgrounds and identities.

This diversity makes us a stronger and more effective council.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong, are treated fairly, and have the opportunity to thrive.

Creating an environment where colleagues feel respected, supported and able to contribute fully is central to our culture and the way we work.

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants and employees have equitable access to opportunities.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and within the workplace so that everyone has the support they need to perform at their best and succeed in their role.

If you have any questions relating to equality, diversity, and inclusion, you can contact the EDI Team at [e-mail]

If you wish to apply as Care Leaver or a Disability Confident candidate, please make sure to state this when submitting your CV.

If you have a disability and require assistance in submitting your CV, please contact [e-mail]