Group Accountant

Telford & Wrekin Council; Dawley; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (office one day a fortn

Flexible working hours

Local Government Pension Scheme

Payment of professional fees

Annual leave 24 days (rising to 32) +

Free parking

Employee discounts and salary sacrifice

Job summary

Telford & Wrekin Council is seeking an experienced finance leader to head a team of eight professionals across Housing, Commercial & Customer Services and Prosperity & Investment directorates. You will provide strategic financial challenge on investment decisions, budget planning, and year-end accounts.

The role requires CCAB membership, post-qualification experience in financial management, and a track record of leading finance teams within the public sector.

Qualifications

• Fully CCAB qualified (CIPFA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant post-qualification experience in financial management.
• Demonstrable experience leading finance teams.
• Strong understanding of local government finance, or ability to develop this knowledge quickly.
• Experience providing strategic financial advice to senior stakeholders.
• Proactive approach to progressing and resolving financial issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective working relationships.
• Ability to analyse and interpret financial data and regulatory information.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial challenge and support on investment decisions and service transformation.
• Lead budget preparation and financial monitoring during the year.
• Oversee the preparation of financial year end accounts and grant claims/bids.
• Utilise the Council's financial management system and Excel for reporting.

Skills

Strategic financial advice

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Financial data analysis

Communication of complex financials

Education

CCAB qualified

Tools

Excel

Finance system

Job description

You will be part of an experienced, friendly finance department and lead a team of eight finance professionals supporting the Housing, Commercial & Customer Services and Prosperity & Investment directorates. These cover areas including:

• Housing and homelessness services
• Commercial operations including leisure, catering and cleaning
• Planning and building control
• Economic development and business support
• A substantial commercial property investment portfolio
• Property maintenance and development services

Together these two directorates represent a significant proportion of the council's activities and provide the opportunity to work on high-profile corporate projects. As the lead finance adviser to senior managers, you will provide strategic financial challenge and support on investment decisions, service transformation, commercial opportunities and budget planning. You will be involved with the preparation of budgets, provision of financial monitoring during the year and the preparation of financial year end accounts along with completion of grant claims and bids. The role involves extensive use of the Council's financial management system and other packages such as Excel.

• Fully CCAB qualified (CIPFA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Significant post-qualification experience in financial management
• Demonstrable experience leading finance teams
• Strong understanding of local government finance, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge through relevant public sector finance experience
• Experience providing strategic financial advice to senior stakeholders
• A proactive approach to progressing and resolving financial issues
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships and provide high-quality customer support
• Ability to analyse and interpret financial data and technical/legislative information to identify implications for the Council
• Good communication skills and the ability to present complex financial information and outcomes in a format accessible to the user

Telford & Wrekin Council is a well-regarded and multi-award-winning council. This post offers an opportunity to influence major investment, regeneration and commercial decisions in one of the fastest-growing areas in the Midlands.

You’ll work closely with senior leaders, lead a high-performing finance team, and help deliver services that make a tangible difference to residents and businesses across the borough.

We believe great services start with great people - and that means building a workforce that reflects our community. At Telford & Wrekin Council, everyone belongs, and every voice matters. Join Team Telford - Where People Make the Difference. We’re proud to be the LGC Local Authority of the Year 2025 - and it's all thanks to our incredible people. At Telford & Wrekin Council, we don't just deliver services - we protect, care, and invest in our borough. Our teams are trusted, supported, and empowered to make a real impact.

• Hybrid working (Finance currently work in the office on one day a fortnight)
• Flexible working hours
• Employee discounts and salary sacrifice schemes
• Annual pay increments within the grade
• Local Government Pension Scheme (a defined benefit scheme with very substantial employer contributions)
• Payment of professional fees
• Annual leave entitlement of 24 days with 0-5 years' service, 29 days after 5 years, 32 days after 10 years, plus one additional concessionary day in addition to bank holidays (any previous local government employment counts towards service for annual leave purposes).
• Options to purchase up to 4 weeks additional leave.
• Free parking, A friendly, inclusive and dynamic workplace, competitive pay, generous benefits, flexible working and great development opportunities. A culture that celebrates diversity and champions inclusion.

If you're passionate about making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.