Job title: Senior Finance Assistant
Salary: B3 £26,403 - £28,142
Hours: 37 (Full Time)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Merrion House/ Hybrid Working
Would you like to be part of a dynamic team working on behalf of the people of Leeds who need our help and support the most?
Exciting opportunity have become available within the Adult Operational Services Department. We are currently recruiting Senior Finance Assistant to join our Deputy & Estates Team on permanent basis.
This is a transformative time for the team, with significant redesign and innovation underway to help us deliver even better services to our customers and communities.
As a Senior Finance Assistant, you will assist Finance Officers with management of clients ‘s income and expenditure to ensure the clients' income is maximised and funds are spent in accordance with the assigned budget, assist with banking tasks and day-to-day administration duties.
Join us in making a real difference in people’s lives while developing your career in a supportive and forward-thinking team.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
We are looking for someone to join our team who will thrive and enjoy working to deadlines. The skills you’ll need are:
- Strong computer skills and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
- Be able to communicate in clear and plain English and be able to build relationships with customers.
- Meticulous attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
- Be an effective team member who can relate to colleagues at all levels.
- Self-motivation, strong organisational skills, and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.
- Be willing to learn further practical skills and invest in own development.
About the role
You will work in a busy operational finance department, supporting the management of clients’ financial affairs when they lack capacity to do so themselves. Your responsibilities will include:
- Processing information onto our systems with accuracy (uploading emails and documents, maintain case notes)
- Processing individual’s bills payments and support with banking enquiries.
- Dealing with incoming post and assign to relevant officers.
- Working flexibly and as part of a team to support colleagues during busy times
- Managing your workload to identify the priorities and ensuring they are dealt with accordingly
- Making suggestion for ways to improve our service and to work more efficiently
Working Arrangements
Your working hours will be Monday to Friday. The team operates a hybrid working model. You will be expected to work from Merrion House at least two days per week.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete every part of the online application form outlining how you meet the specified criteria as detailed in the Job Description.
Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Richard Vink, Team Manager, Deputy and Estates Team, on 0113 3788005.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
To assist with the provision of a comprehensive financial support service to the Adult Operational Services team within Adult & Health Directorate.
The Adult Operational Services team provides a number of services for Adult Social Care including financial assessments to ascertain qualifying financial assistance for care services, billing and debt management for assessed chargeable services, Deputyship and Estate Management, Audit of Direct Payment Agreements and payments to providers of Home Care services.
The overarching aim is to ensure a co-ordinated and consistent approach to the provision of Adult Operational Services (AOS) by:
- Providing an efficient support service to senior managers, and staff within the AOS team
- Providing a flexible service and and be reactive to priorities.
- Providing timely financial information and support to officers/Social Workers, clients or their representatives, independent providers and outside agencies, as appropriate within information governance guidance, to enable them to make better informed decisions.
- Aiming to maximise the council's financial resources within levels of acceptable risk.
- Ensuring compliance with statutory obligations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Dealing with incoming mail and emails and it’s timely distribution.
- Dealing with telephone queries and signposting where appropriate
- Dealing with queries of a sensitive nature, ensuring information governance rules are adhered to at all times in the interest of the client.
- Advice on aspects of legislation and welfare benefits
- Assisting with the production of letters to clients and/or providers of services, and appropriate reminder letters issued as required
- Assisting with administration of team processes as required
- Filing and scanning documents correctly
- Ensuring databases and record management systems are updated accurately and timely
- Liaison with other Council services and external organisations
- Assistance with raising sundry account invoices for billing purposes
- Assistance with banking arrangements and appropriate recording
- Assistance with monitoring of debts
- Assistance with payments on behalf of clients
- Using computer systems to analyse and collate data and use it to produce reports, adding value to financial data with minimal levels of supervision
- Assistance with the compilation of statistics for Management Information purposes
- Resolving queries of a financial nature with minimum levels of supervision.
- Assistance with stock control and ordering of stationery as required
- Reporting potential fraud or safeguarding concerns promptly
- To assist in the promotion of the service and present a good image of the service and the Authority
- To ensure the provision of an effective, efficient and confidential service to our customers
- To be a proactive member of the team, identifying areas for improvement in a constructive manner
- Work unsupervised, using your own initiative to adhere to sometimes conflicting deadlines and be reactive to service priorities
- Be committed to safer working arrangements
- Supporting staff and assist with developing new team members.
The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the service may require the job holder to undertake duties commensurate with the level of the role. The Council has adopted a flexible protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters
Qualifications
Holds a GCSE level C or above in English Language or equivalent and Maths or equivalent or expects to gain a GCSE level C or above in English Language or equivalent and Maths or equivalent in results due.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Skills Required
- Ability to use a computerised system to accurately input, update and interrogate client information.
- Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills using a variety of media.
- Ability to work on own initiative to adhere to timescales and deadlines.
- Ability to undertake administrative duties as required.
- Ability to pass and receive information accurately and securely.
- Ability to prioritise workload with frequent interruptions.
- Good numeracy and literacy skills and the ability to deal with complex tasks.
- Able to work flexibly and as part of a team to achieve service priorities.
Knowledge Required
Knowledge of applications, systems and IT programmes utilised by the service.
- Knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations and an understanding of personal accountability
- An awareness of services available within Adults & Health
- Knowledge of legislation and welfare benefits applicable to Adults and Health services.
- Knowledge of the Council Values
Experience Required
- Experience of using one’s own initiative.
- Experience of working within a team where flexibility of response is required.
- Experience of communicating with a variety of individuals using a range of media
- Experience of being pro-active in identifying areas for improvement in a constructive manner
- Experience of dealing positively with challenging situations, either face to face or by phone.
Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Experience
- Experience of working in an office environment.
- Experience of working with elderly, disabled or vulnerable client group.
- Experience of producing reports for management/performance information.
