Strategic Financial Reporting Accountant

Robertson Bell; Sandwell; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government body in Sandwell is seeking a Strategic Financial Reporting Accountant to oversee the completion of statutory accounts and financial regulations compliance. The ideal candidate will possess a full accountancy qualification, a solid background in local authority operations, and expertise in VAT. This role requires effective team leadership, motivational skills, and a commitment to professional development. Applications are encouraged before the closing date of January 25th.

Qualifications

• Full accountancy qualification is essential.
• Experience in local authority settings is preferred.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Deputy Section Officer in leading the Financial Reporting function.
• Advise on financial accounting regulations to the Council's statutory Section Officer.
• Ensure closure of statutory accounts and compliance with deadlines.
• Manage financial control systems and produce key reconciliations.
• Oversee a team of direct and indirect reports while fostering development.

Skills

Up to date understanding of financial legislation

Experience producing full statutory accounts

Desire to understand VAT

Leadership and motivational skills

Education

Full accountancy qualification

Job description

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, 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 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 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 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 Officer to incorporate the outputs within the relevant Corporate Reports to Leadership Team and Councillors.
• Support the Deputy Section 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 25th January, with interviews due to take place the week commencing the 2nd 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.