Finance Business Partner – AR

Job Details

Job Description – Finance Business Partner (Technical Accounting)

Organisation: Walsall Council

Job Title: Finance Business Partner – Technical Accounting

Contract: 3 months (Inside IR35)

Location: Walsall (Hybrid – 1–2 days office)

Role Overview

The Finance Business Partner (Technical Accounting) will provide high-quality technical accounting, statutory reporting, and financial governance support across the council. The role ensures compliance with public sector accounting standards while supporting senior finance leaders and service managers in making informed financial decisions.

The postholder will act as a key technical expert in statutory accounts, VAT, and collection fund accounting, while also contributing to financial planning, audit readiness, and business partnering activities.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Accounting & Statutory Reporting

  • Lead and support preparation of statutory annual accounts in line with IFRS-based public sector standards
  • Provide technical accounting advice on complex financial transactions and reporting issues
  • Support year-end closure processes and audit requirements (internal and external)

Collection Fund & VAT

  • Monitor, forecast, and provide expert advice on collection fund accounting (council tax and business rates)
  • Deliver VAT advisory support and ensure compliance with HMRC regulations and case law
  • Prepare and coordinate VAT returns and related reporting requirements

Financial Governance & Control

  • Ensure strong internal controls and financial governance in line with Section 151 requirements
  • Identify and manage financial risks, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and policies
  • Support audit processes and implement audit recommendations

Business Partnering & Advisory

  • Provide financial advice to budget holders, service managers, and senior finance officers
  • Support development of business cases, options appraisals, and financial modelling
  • Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and medium-term financial planning

Continuous Improvement

  • Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, systems, and reporting
  • Support transformation and efficiency initiatives within finance services

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Strong experience in local authority or public sector finance
  • Excellent knowledge of statutory accounts, IFRS-based reporting, and audit processes
  • Proven expertise in collection fund accounting and VAT compliance
  • Experience in finance business partnering and stakeholder engagement
  • Strong analytical skills with ability to build financial models and interpret complex data
  • Experience working in politically sensitive and regulated environments

Qualifications

  • CCAB or CIMA qualified (or equivalent) with active CPD
  • Strong commitment to professional development and public sector financial standards

Key Stakeholders

  • Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer
  • Service managers and budget holders
  • Internal and external auditors
  • HMRC and external regulatory bodies
  • Charities and partner organisations

Behavioural Requirements

  • Strong professionalism, integrity, and accountability
  • Ability to challenge constructively and influence decisions
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
  • Commitment to continuous improvement and value for money