Robertson bell jobs
Walsall Council are once again exclusively partnering with Robertson Bell on a recruitment campaign for a Lead Accountant (Capital) on a permanent basis. At Walsall Council, we’re transforming, and so are our Financial Services. We’re changing the way the council works so that we can provide an even better customer experience, increase staff satisfaction, and improve our service performance. It’s all about achieving the very best for our colleagues, customers and communities.
Reporting into the Strategic Finance Business Partner, this post will lead an established capital finance team, providing proactive and independent support to directorates while overseeing all financial aspects of the Council’s ambitious Capital Programme. This role will ensure the effective monitoring, budget setting, close down, and risk management of capital activity, while delivering robust financial appraisals and cost-benefit analyses to support decision-making.
The organisation:
Walsall is situated within the West Midlands and is one of four Local Authorities comprising the Black Country. It contains six urban district centres: Walsall Town Centre lies at the heart of the Borough, surrounded by Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall. The Borough covers 40sq miles and is bisected by the M6 motorway.
In addition, we provide an attractive employment package that includes a generous annual leave entitlement of up to 29 days (which rises to 34 days after 5 years continuous local government service), a flexible working scheme that allows up to a further 12 days leave per year, working from home opportunities with emphasis on an optimum work life balance arrangement and a career average pension scheme. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements.
The key duties of the Lead Accountant (Capital) will be:
- Lead a small finance capital team, ensuring high-quality service delivery across the Council’s ambitious Capital Programme.
- Co-ordinate capital monitoring, close down, and budget setting processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Provide robust financial appraisals and cost-benefit analyses for business cases to support senior decision-making.
- Identify and manage financial risks across the Capital Programme, liaising closely with directorate management.
- Present complex financial information to Senior Managers, Executive Directors, scrutiny panels and public meetings.
- Act as a key link between service accounting/finance managers, ensuring resources are effectively planned and utilised.
- Continuously review and improve financial processes and systems to enhance efficiency and value for money.
- Deputise for senior finance managers as required, representing the Council at regional meetings and projects.
The successful candidate will have:
- Full membership of CIMA, CCAB or equivalent, with post-qualification experience.
- A strong technical background with proven experience in capital accounting, financial reporting, and risk management.
- Demonstrable experience of managing and developing staff.
- The ability to communicate complex financial information to a wide range of stakeholders, both financial and non-financial.
- Experience of treasury, audit or statutory accounts would be advantageous.
- Ideally, a background in the public sector, but this is not essential.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 26th October, with first stage interviews due to take place the week commencing 3rd November. Applications will be under continuous review before the closing date, so please submit your CV to our exclusive search agent Robertson Bell ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Thank you!
Robertson Bell is pleased to be partnering with Education Support in their search for a Part-Time Finance & Data Manager to join their team in this newly created role, on a 0.8 FTE basis. Education Support is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff in schools, colleges and universities.
The purpose of the Finance and Data Manager role is to support their financial and operational decision-making processes. Reporting directly to the Head of Finance and Data Systems, this role is responsible for the timely and accurate production of management accounts and data reporting across the organisation. The Finance and Data Manager will be required to use their strong financial acumen, technical proficiency in data analysis tools, and ability to communicate insights clearly to stakeholders.
The organisation:
Education Support was established nearly 150 years ago. They were set up by teachers, for teachers. They’re here for everybody working within education, across all four nations of the United Kingdom. Their mission is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff. They believe that better wellbeing leads to better education. This leads to better life chances for everyone.
So far, Education support has reached 116,134 school & college staff, answered 6730 calls via their helpline, and awarded 737 financial grants. They also carry out research and advocate for changes in Government policy for the benefit of the education workforce.
The key duties of the Part-Time Finance & Data Manager are as follows:
- Lead the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual management accounts, including variance analysis and commentary.
- Lead on day-to-day financial operational activity
- Support budgeting and forecasting processes in collaboration with departmental leads.
- Manage accruals, prepayments, and reconciliations to ensure financial accuracy.
- Assist with year-end audit preparation and liaise with auditors as required.
- Implement and maintain robust financial controls and processes.
- Support and advise budget holders on management accounts review/analysis.
- Develop and maintain a suite of reports to assist in monitoring performance, impact and strategic decision-making.
- Extract, clean, and analyse data from multiple systems to provide actionable insights.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand data needs and develop reporting solutions.
- Identify opportunities for automation and efficiency in reporting processes.
- To consider and implement process system improvements to improve user experience and enhance finance processing
The successful candidate will have:
- Proven experience in management accounting and financial reporting.
- Experience with accounting systems (e.g. Xero, Sage, SAP, or similar).
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen eye for detail.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to present complex data in a clear, concise manner.
- Relationship building skills, both in the team and across the organisation.
This role will officially be based out of their offices in Holloway, however flexible working arrangements are on offer, with up to 60% of the week eligible to be worked from home.
Please note that this role is being offered on a 0.8 FTE basis, however candidates seeking a full time role with strong experience may still be considered.
Applications are open until Sunday 26th October, with first stage interviews due to take place the week commencing 3rd November. CVs will be under continuous review in advance of this data so apply today to make sure you don’t miss out!
Registered Charity
21 - 50
The only UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff in schools, colleges and universities