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Senior Finance Officer (SEND)
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Sandwell Council
Job Title: Senior Finance Officer (SEND Finance)
Grade/Salary: Band E £31,537 to £36,363
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time (37 hours), flexible working
Location: Sandwell Council House, Oldbury
Sandwell Council's Finance Team is seeking a motivated, analytical and detail-focused individual to join us as a Senior Finance Officer. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the management of SEND funding across the borough, ensuring financial processes are delivered accurately, efficiently and in line with statutory requirements.
Working within a busy and collaborative finance environment, you will provide professional financial support relating to SEND provision, school funding and high needs expenditure, contributing to services that make a positive difference to children and young people across Sandwell.
Key Responsibilities
- Managing and maintaining the delegation of top-up funding to mainstream schools, special schools and specialist provisions across the borough
- Processing and monitoring invoices, including raising requisitions and receipting purchase orders for SEND provision and external providers
- Providing financial advice, funding information and delegation schedules to schools, managers and Corporate Finance colleagues
- Leading on the recoupment of funding from other Local Authorities, including preparing, validating and issuing invoices and resolving associated queries
- Interrogating, analysing and validating financial and operational data to ensure accuracy and identify trends, discrepancies and anomalies
- Maintaining robust audit trails and ensuring compliance with financial regulations, funding guidance and Council procedures
- Supporting year-end financial processes, including reconciliations, accruals and responding to audit enquiries
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This role requires excellent attention to detail, strong analytical skills and the ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders whilst managing competing priorities and deadlines.
What We Are Looking For
- A recognised finance qualification, or be working towards Final AAT qualification
- A minimum of three years' experience within a finance, administrative or Local Government environment
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills with experience of analysing, manipulating and validating financial data
- Experience of financial systems and processing invoices, purchase orders and budget information
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workloads effectively
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to a variety of audiences
- A commitment to maintaining accurate records, financial controls and audit compliance
- Knowledge of, or willingness to develop expertise in, SEND funding, education finance and Local Authority financial regulations
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience working within SEND Finance, Education Finance or High Needs Funding
- Experience of administering and monitoring SEND top-up funding and school funding delegations
- Working knowledge of Oracle Fusion and Simplified Loader
- Understanding of the SEND Code of Practice, Education Act and High Needs Funding guidance
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.
To find out more, please visit our careers page: We Are Sandwell – We Are Sandwell
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Please submit a CV and supporting statement to Sheona Grey on sheona_grey@sandwell.gov.uk
Click here to find out more about our One Team Framework: Values and Behaviours
We 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.
If you have any questions relating to equality, diversity, and inclusion, you can contact the EDI Team at EDI_Team@sandwell.gov.uk.
If you wish to apply as Care Leaver or a Disability Confident candidate, please make sure to state this when submitting your CV.
If you have a disability and require assistance in submitting your CV, please contact sheona_grey@sandwell.gov.uk
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