Strategic Financial Reporting Accountant

Robertson Bell; Oldbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Strategic Financial Reporting Accountant to lead financial reporting efforts. You will support the Deputy Section 151 Officer and be an expert in financial accounting regulations. Candidates should possess a full accountancy qualification and experience in producing statutory accounts, ideally with a background in a local authority. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic finance team during a period of transformation.

Qualifications

• Full accountancy qualification.
• Up to date understanding of financial legislation.
• Experience producing full statutory accounts.
• Background working within a local authority.
• Desire to understand VAT.

Responsibilities

• Support the Deputy Section 151 Officer in leadership of the team.
• Be the primary advisor on financial accounting regulations.
• Complete closure of statutory accounts and returns within deadlines.
• Manage financial controls and ensure key reconciliations are produced.
• Oversee a team of two direct and seven indirect reports.

Skills

Full accountancy qualification

Understanding of financial legislation

Experience producing full statutory accounts

Background working within a local authority

Understanding of VAT

Job description

Strategic Financial Reporting Accountant

Sandwell Council is partnering with Robertson Bell in the recruitment of a Strategic Financial Reporting Accountant on a permanent basis. This is a core role in the Finance team that will take the lead at year-end, fostering strong relationships with external auditors and acting as a subject matter expert on technical accounting queries across the organisation.

The organisation:

Sandwell is a metropolitan borough in the Black Country, which is made up of six towns – Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich.

Located in the West Midlands, Sandwell borders Birmingham city, Dudley borough, Walsall borough and Wolverhampton city. The borough has excellent access to the national motorway network with five junctions feeding in to the M5 and M6 motorways serving the South West, South East and North West regions of the UK.

Sandwell also benefits from a mainline train station – Sandwell and Dudley and the Midland Metro. The borough has 1,200 hectares of parks, playing fields and local green space, and over 30 miles of canals.

Sandwell Council is on a powerful journey of improvement and transformation. Having become the fastest council ever to exit intervention, and shortlisted for Most Improved Council at the 2025 LGC Awards, they are proud of the progress they’re making and the direction they’re heading.

The Finance team is growing and ambitious, with a strong focus on learning and development, supporting colleagues to build rewarding careers while helping shape outstanding public services. As they work towards becoming a CIPFA-accredited employer, this is an exciting time to join a team that values talent, invests in people, and is committed to excellence.

The role:

• Support the Deputy Section 151 Officer in the motivational leadership of the Financial Reporting & Regulatory Accounting function ensuring clarity of direction, effective communication and the development of employee’s full potential.
• Be the primary expert on financial accounting regulations and be the primary advisor on this subject matter to the Council’s statutory Section 151 Officer.
• Ensure that the closure of statutory accounts and returns (including VAT and other appropriate taxes) are completed within statutory deadlines, and be responsible for assisting the Deputy Section 151 Officer to incorporate the outputs within the relevant Corporate Reports to Leadership Team and Councillors.
• Support the Deputy Section 151 Officer in fulfilling their responsibility for the Council’s system of financial controls, and ensure that key reconciliations within their service area are produced monthly, quarterly or yearly depending on their importance and regularity.
• Manage the team of two direct and seven indirect reports, encouraging CPD and training across all levels.

The successful candidate will have a:

• Full accountancy qualification.
• Up to date understanding of financial legislation and experience producing full statutory accounts.
• Background working within a local authority.
• Desire to, or strong understanding of VAT.

The closing date for applications is the 25 th January, with interviews due to take place the week commencing the 2 nd of February. Applications will be under continuous review before the closing date, so please submit your CV to our exclusive search agent Robertson Bell as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.