Job title: Finance Assistant

Salary: B1/B3 *GBP*24,404 - *GBP*27,269

Hours: 37

Contract: Temporary

Location: Merrion House

As a Finance Officer, youâ€􀀙🿿μ thrive on supporting colleagues, clients and their representatives in the process of Right to Buy Scheme, which includes both pre-sale and post-sale services.

We are seeking to appoint a Finance Assistant who can assist the team in the provision of a comprehensive Council House Sales Scheme, providing assistance and advice to customers exercising their Right to Buy. Where necessary liaising with and assisting our stakeholders to ensure legislation is complied with.

The overarching aim is to ensure that the Council complies with statutory requirements in respect of Right to Buy applications.

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

As a Finance Assistant you will bring to the role: 

• A strong customer focus and the ability to independently manage workloads to ensure a comprehensive Right to Buy service is provided.
• A commitment to ensure compliance with all legislative requirements for the Right to Buy service.
• A good working knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation in respect of Home Ownership and the ability to advise clients in respect of any changes to the Home Ownership legislation.
• A strong attention to detail and thorough experience of MS Office Software to achieve objectives of the service.
• The ability to respond to tenants and their representatives in respect of Home Ownership enquiries, verbally and in writing.

About the role

As Finance Assistant, you will be motivated by working in a challenging and dynamic environment, contributing to continuous improvement. The role is integral to our Income Management team ensuring that positive outcomes are achieved.  You will need to display excellent communication skills and have a passion for supporting colleagues and customers.

You will be part of a team providing a comprehensive Council House Sales Service, providing assistance and advice to customers exercising their Right to Buy. Where necessary assisting with the Leasehold Management Service.

A strong customer focus and the ability to independently manage workloads are key for working in the Home Ownership Team.

The overarching aim is to ensure that the Council complies with statutory requirements in respect of Right to Buy applications.

 

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 the online application form.

 

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

 

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Lianne McGregor, Assistant Finance Manager call 0113 37 87824 or email lianne.mcgregor@leeds.gov.uk

 

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 *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose:

Assisting in the provision of a comprehensive Administrative Financial service to all customers of the Council. Providing support to finance officers on all aspects of the teamâ€􀀙𯿿 tasks.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Responsibilities: B1

• Maintaining and inputting of data to the computerised systems in operation within the section.
• Responding to enquiries both written and verbally from tenants, their representatives and contractors on financial matters, relating to their rents and charges and payments.
• Responding to enquiries both written and verbally from tenants and their representatives on Right to Buy enquiries. Assisting in the processing of applications to ensure statutory timescales are achieved.
• Have a good understanding of the relevant legislation.
• Providing clerical and administrative support within the section as required including providing cover during normal office hours on a rota basis.

• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Additional Responsibilities: B3

• Upon progression demonstrate that you have undertaken training to new tasks within the team.
• Upon progression demonstrate that you have achieved a thorough knowledge of the services you provide and a good knowledge and understanding of the legislation affecting the services which you support.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

It is essential that the post holder should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be short listed for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements. 

Personal Style, Skills and Behaviour

B1 Requirements

• To carry out the instructions of Senior Managers in order to deliver the service and achieve the timescales.
• To work closely with team members.
• To liaise with other teams, service groups and outside agencies as necessary.
• To deal politely and courteously with customers, other officers and members of the public.
• Knowledge of MS Office software.
• To respect and ensure that confidentiality of all records relating to customers is maintained within the Team.
• Knowledge of developments in the Councilâ€􀀙𯿿 services and legislative changes affecting the operations within the team and wider Council.
• To be able to deal with customers enquiries accurately and timely. Imparting relevant advice or signposting to other service areas or organisations.

B3 Additional Requirements

• Upon progression demonstrate how you have developed your own skills and knowledge of all the services provided within the section and issues affecting the Councils operations.

Qualifications

B1 Requirements

• It would be essential that the post holder has GCSE in maths and English or the equivalent.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behavioursand codes of conduct
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambitionof Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employeeâ€􀀙𯿿 responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity 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.

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