At a Glance
- Tasks: Influence strategic decisions and support major reforms to improve outcomes for Walsall residents.
- Company: Join Walsall Council's forward-thinking finance team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and generous leave.
- Other info: Strong learning culture with opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Shape the future of vital services while developing your finance career.
- Qualifications: CCAB or CIMA qualified or actively studying towards qualification.
The predicted salary is between 47181 - 50269 £ per year.
Salary: G10: £47,181 - £50,269 per annum
Help shape the future of Walsall. Are you looking for a role where your financial expertise influences strategic decisions, supports major reforms and change programmes and helps deliver better outcomes for residents? Walsall Council is recruiting four Finance Business Partners to join our high-performing and forward-thinking finance team. These are influential roles that sit at the heart of decision-making, working alongside senior managers and directors to provide financial insight, challenge and support across some of the Council's most important services.
Opportunities are available within:
- Children's Social Care
- Adult Social Care
- Education
- Financial Planning
Whether supporting vulnerable children and families, helping adults live independently, shaping educational outcomes or contributing to the Council's long-term financial sustainability, your work will make a real difference to the people of Walsall.
About the role: As a Finance Business Partner, you will act as a trusted adviser to service managers and senior leaders, helping them make informed decisions and deliver services within an increasingly complex financial environment.
You will:
- Provide high-quality financial advice and challenge to senior stakeholders.
- Support budget planning, forecasting, monitoring and financial reporting.
- Contribute to transformational change programmes and service redesign.
- Identify financial risks and opportunities and develop practical solutions.
- Use financial and performance information to support decision-making.
- Help drive financial sustainability and continuous improvement across services.
You will work on complex financial issues, influence strategic decisions and help shape the future direction of services across the Council. Preferences for a particular service area can be discussed during the interview process.
Why join Walsall? At Walsall Council, we are committed to developing talented finance professionals and providing opportunities to progress and succeed. We have created a strong learning culture through our successful "Grow Your Own" approach, helping colleagues build their careers whilst contributing to the Council's ambitions.
We offer:
- A supportive and collaborative finance team.
- Exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making.
- Meaningful professional development opportunities.
- Funded CCAB/CIMA study support for part-qualified candidates.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- Up to 29 days annual leave, rising to 34 days after five years' continuous local government service.
- Up to 12 additional days leave through our flexible working scheme.
- Career Average Pension Scheme.
- A strong commitment to wellbeing, inclusion and work-life balance.
About you: We are looking for enthusiastic, pragmatic and solutions-focused finance professionals who can build strong relationships and communicate financial information clearly to a wide range of audiences.
You will:
- Be a CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant and maintain active continuing professional development; or
- Be actively studying towards a CCAB or CIMA qualification and committed to achieving full qualification within three years of appointment.
- Have experience of financial management, analysis and business partnering.
- Be able to interpret complex information and translate it into clear, practical advice.
- Demonstrate excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Have a proactive approach and a desire to drive improvement.
- Experience within local government would be advantageous but is not essential.
Further information: These posts are covered by the Government's Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for Public Sector Workers.
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them.
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
Closing date: 6 September 2026. Please note: this vacancy may close earlier than the published closing date if a high volume of applications is received. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Interview dates: Week commencing 14 September 2026. Interviews will be held face-to-face at the Civic Centre and will include:
- A technical assessment
- A presentation
- A formal interview
Informal enquiries: For an informal discussion about the roles, please contact:
- Tanya Collier Tanya.Collier@walsall.gov.uk – Children's Social Care and Education Services
- Suzanne Letts Suzanne.Letts@walsall.gov.uk – Adult Social Care
- Natalia Hodgetts Natalia.Hodgetts@walsall.gov.uk – Financial Planning
Finance Business Partners - Ref: RT00726 in Walsall employer: Walsall Council
As a School Organisation Officer, you will join a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for children. Our organisation values professional development, offering numerous growth opportunities and a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee well-being. Located in a vibrant community, we provide a meaningful role where your contributions directly impact the lives of families and children in the area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partners - Ref: RT00726 in Walsall
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Walsall Council. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partners - Ref: RT00726 in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Walsall Council.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Walsall Council's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Walsall Council
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Walsall Council.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Walsall Council will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Walsall Council employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
