Lead Accountant (Capital)

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.