Assistant Corporate Accountant

Grade/Salary: Band G, SCP 32-37 (£42,839 - £48,226 per annum)Contract Type: Permanent, Full-timeWorking Pattern: Monday – Friday, 37 hoursLocation: Sandwell Council House, Oldbury (Hybrid)Closing Date: 06/09/2026Sandwell Council’s Finance & Transformation Division is seeking a detailed and qualified Assistant Corporate Accountant to join its Accounting team on a full-time, permanent basis based from its Oldbury office. The organisation is operating to a hybrid working model. Reporting to a Financial Accountant, the role will be key in ensuring effective financial management of the Council's statutory and corporate reporting responsibilities. This includes assisting on year-end accounts closure and the preparation and production of the Statement of Accounts and statutory returns, supporting external audit processes, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and local government finance regulations. The role also involves providing financial advice and guidance to budget holders, developing financial models and reporting tools, and supervising Finance Assistants or Accountancy Trainees where required. The successful candidate will need relevant financial reporting experience, strong analytical skills, excellent attention to detail and communication skills, the ability to interpret and communicate complex financial information and the ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.About the role\n

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• Undertake financial year end activities in accordance with agreed processes and timescales
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• Provide financial advice and guidance to finance colleagues, budget holders on corporate accounting matters
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• Preparation of robust financial modelling, including financial projections, to agreed timescales and standards
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• Completion of reconciliations as required
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• Undertaking of treasury management activities
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• Completion of grant claims and statistical returns
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• Completion of statutory returns
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• Support the team in maintenance of the corporate fixed asset register
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• Such other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the post to assist the Service Area in the fulfilment of its objectives commensurate with the post holder's salary grade, abilities and aptitudes.
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About you \n

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• Qualified Accounting Technician or equivalent or part qualified member of a chartered accounting body
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• A minimum of 2 years’ experience gained in a financial management environment preferably at least some in a public sector environment
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• Knowledge of and ability to use financial systems
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• Ability to travel to all parts of the borough
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• Flexibility and willingness to work with changing and conflicting demands
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• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills
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• Ability to understand and disseminate complex financial and non-financial data and to prepare reasoned reports from this information
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• Ability to make decisions based upon the interpretation of financial and non-financial data
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Why Sandwell Council?At Sandwell Council, our work has a real impact. We are proud to be a values-led organisation that supports its employees with excellent benefits, a competitive remuneration package, and a strong focus on development. By joining us, you’ll play a key role in delivering services that make a real and lasting difference to thousands of people across the borough.How to applyWe reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a high number of applications be received. Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. If you are an internal candidate and currently at risk, please let the recruiting manager know. We place equality, diversity and inclusion at the core of who we are and how we lead, where every voice matters. At Sandwell, we recognise and value the richness that comes from diverse lived experiences, perspectives, backgrounds and identities. This diversity makes us a stronger and more effective council.We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong, are treated fairly, and have the opportunity to thrive. Creating an environment where colleagues feel respected, supported and able to contribute fully is central to our culture and the way we work. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants and employees have equitable access to opportunities. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and within the workplace so that everyone has the support they need to perform at their best and succeed in their role.