Finance Business Partner

Walsall Council, Technical Accountant (Finance Business Partner) -

G10: £47,181 - £50,269 per annum

Location:

Walsall / Hybrid working

Contract:

Full Time, Permanent

Are you a qualified accountant who enjoys applying accounting standards, solving technical accounting issues and producing high-quality financial reporting?

We're looking for an experienced accountant to join Walsall Council's Financial Reporting Team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a passion for technical accounting who wants a varied role covering statutory accounts, external audit, VAT, leasing, financial reporting and charity accounting.

This is not a traditional management accounting or budget monitoring role. Instead, you'll play a key part in ensuring the Council meets its statutory financial reporting responsibilities while providing specialist accounting advice across a wide range of technical areas.

Alongside financial reporting responsibilities, you'll also support several Council charities through the preparation of management accounts and attendance at trustee meetings, giving you a varied and rewarding workload.

As a Technical Accountant, you'll work alongside experienced finance professionals and play a key role in delivering the Council's financial reporting responsibilities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with the preparation of the Council's annual Statement of Accounts and supporting working papers.
• Supporting the annual external audit process, liaising with auditors, responding to audit queries and helping ensure a smooth and efficient audit.
• Preparing monthly VAT returns and providing advice on VAT legislation, including Local Authority partial exemption rules.
• Managing the Council's vehicle leasing programme, working with operational teams to assess lease versus purchase options and carrying out the associated accounting, journals and monthly monitoring.
• Preparing financial journals and technical accounting adjustments.
• Preparing monthly management accounts for Council charities, supporting charity financial administration, attending trustee meetings and acting as Finance representative.
• Working collaboratively with services across the Council, schools, partner organisations and other local authorities to obtain information required for statutory reporting.
• Deputising for senior colleagues at meetings where required.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the CIPFA Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting, UK GAAP and Charity SORP.
• Building strong relationships with colleagues across the organisation to provide high-quality technical financial advice and support.

No two days are the same, and you'll gain exposure to a broad range of complex accounting issues while making a real contribution to the Council's financial governance.

We're looking for someone who enjoys technical accounting and takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality financial information.

You'll be a qualified accountant (CCAB/CIMA) or actively studying towards qualification, with excellent analytical skills and the ability to interpret and apply accounting standards.

Ideally, you'll have experience of:

• Preparing statutory accounts or year-end financial statements.
• Financial reporting and technical accounting.
• Working with external auditors and responding to audit queries.
• VAT legislation and VAT administration.
• Preparing management accounts.
• Applying accounting standards and interpreting technical guidance.
• Producing clear and accurate financial working papers.
• Building effective working relationships with both finance and non-finance colleagues.

Experience with in Local Government is advantageous but not essential. We welcome applications from candidates with strong technical accounting experience from a range of backgrounds who are keen to develop their knowledge of local government accounting.

At Walsall Council, you'll be joining a supportive and collaborative finance team where you'll have the opportunity to develop your technical expertise while helping deliver services that make a real difference to our communities.

In return, we offer:

• Salary of £47,181 - £50,269 per annum.
• Annual nationally negotiated pay awards through the NJC (subject to national agreement).
• Hybrid working, providing flexibility to work from home alongside office attendance and meetings where required.
• 29 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays,…