Trac proudly powers the recruitment for
Islington Council

About
Contact
- Address
- Islington Council
- 222 Upper Street
- London
- N1 1XR
- Contact Number
- 020 7527 2000
Login changes are coming
From July 2025 onwards, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will be introduced to this site. This will add an extra step to the login process: a requirement to enter a One Time Passcode (OTP) upon login to minimise fraud and maintain security. See our summary page here for more details.
Finance Assistant
Closed for applications on: 9-Feb-2024 00:03
Vacancy status: Closed
Closed for applications on: 9-Feb-2024 00:03
Key details
Location
- Site
- Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1 2UD
- Address
- Upper Street
- Town
- London
- Postcode
- N1 2UD
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 35 hours per week
Salary
- Salary
- £34,770 - £38,769 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (Scale 6/SO1, sp18-25)
Specialty
- Main area
- Administration Finance
Our mission
We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive. To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out ‘CARE’, which is what we think public service is all about.
Job overview
The Payments team within the Finance and Resources directorate are looking to recruit a Finance Assistant on a permanent basis to assist the Payments function within the ASC Finance area.
The Payments Team manages the processing of Direct Payments and the financial monitoring of all Direct Payments made to Adults Social Services clients. We also manage the payments to residential and nursing care for providers. In addition we reconcile the main account where income is received for various teams and complete journals to code back to the each teams budget codes.
Advert
The post holder will undertake the reconciliation and auditing of all income received in the main bank account and assist with the Provider Payments and Direct Payments team
Duties of this post will include:
- Responsibility for reviewing all income in the main account, ensuring all amounts are verified and journaled to the correct budget code. In addition, to be able to reconcile the whole account each period to the ledger
- Adding interest charges to client accounts and completing the FNC reports including raising sundry debtor invoices
- Liaising with care management teams to progress any issues or concerns relating to accounts and payments received.
Ideally, you will have knowledge and experience of the legislation relating to the Payments area, as well as the different roles and responsibilities within the Payments function. You will also require a good knowledge of Microsoft products including Teams, Excel and Access.
Working for our organisation
The Payments Team is part of the Community Wealth Building area. The current team is knowledgeable and experienced in the area who will support the successful candidate.
Working under the direction of the ASC Team Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate to join a busy well established team and to make a real difference to the clients we serve.
Closing date: Thursday 8th February 2024 at 23:59
If you wish to discuss this position further or for an informal chat, please contact Dimple Bhere on 020 7527 8977
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key responsibilities
To be responsible for assisting the Team Manager in the efficient and effective monitoring and reconciling of accounts. To claim money back and follow credit control procedures in accordance with statutory requirements and the Council’s policies and procedures. To ensure all new policy initiatives and legislative changes are planned, implemented, and reviewed consistently and accurately. To manage the Community Care account and reconcile all payments each period alongside weekly journals. To complete the interest charging for clients and create Sundry invoices. Ad hoc invoices to be coded on Alusta and checked for accuracy. Stationery and banking books ordering for the team when required alongside assisting the Direct Payments and Provider Payments Team
Duties and Responsibilities
To be responsible for assisting with the efficient and timely completion of the annual closing of accounts process, including the preparation and submission of applications and the on-going maintenance, reconciliation, and review of the accounts for specific areas of responsibility.
To be responsible for assisting with the preparation, analysis, and provision of accurate financial and management information to be included in statutory returns and reports, in line with statutory requirements and the Council’s policies and procedures.
To be responsible for assisting with the review and update of all documentation, policies and procedures and compliance with statutory requirements, in line with professional standards and the Council’s policies and procedures.
To be responsible for supporting effective liaison with the corporate and departmental finance teams, in relation to timely and accurate account monitoring, control and reconciliation of the Community Care Account
To be responsible for supporting effective liaison with Government departments and statutory agencies, such as the Public Guardianship Office or Department for Work and Pensions, to maximise income due to the council and clients.
To be responsible for acting on behalf of the Council, ensuring the provision of expert advice and guidance to all levels of staff, which is appropriate, accurate and timely, verbal and written, in relation to all aspects of the Financial Administration function, in accordance with the council’s policies and procedures and to promote awareness of good financial practice and control.
To be responsible for supporting effective liaison with external and internal audit, including the efficient filing and retention of documentation, maintaining appropriate audit trails for subsequent retrieval as and when required.
To be responsible for assisting with the efficient preparation and production of timely and accurate routine and ad-hoc management information, in relation to all aspects of the finance function, as required by the Team Manager.
To be responsible for supporting effective liaison with other teams and to promote joint working arrangements and the sharing of information.
To be responsible for assisting with the preparation and completion of complaint responses relating to the Payments function, as required by the Team Manager in accordance with the Council and Departmental complaints procedures.
To contribute to the on-going review of corporate and departmental systems and procedures and implement decisions, as required by the Team Manager.
To be responsible for keeping up to date with accounting and other relevant legislation, regulations, standards, service developments and initiatives and the Council’s policies and procedures.
To undertake other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.
To be responsible for all aspects of payments to providers for care placements. This will include set up, payment in accordance with the agreed timetable and dealing with all queries.
To be responsible for raising sundry debtors’ invoices, calculating, and producing interest invoices for client debtors’ accounts and maintaining an effective scanning/filing system to cover all work completed within this role.
ADDITIONAL:
- To use and assist others in the use of information technology systems to carry out duties in the most efficient and effective manner.
- To achieve agreed service outcomes and outputs, and personal appraisal targets, as agreed by the line manager.
- To undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars and other events designed to improve communication and assist with the effective development of the post and post holder.
- To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the council’s commitment to customer service excellence and ensure compliance with the customer care standards.
- To be committed to the Council’s core values of public service, quality, equality, and empowerment and to demonstrate this commitment in the way duties are carried out.
- To ensure that duties are undertaken with due regard and compliance with the Data Protection Act and other legislation.
- To carry out duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Council’s Health and Safety Policy and relevant Health and Safety legislation.
- At all times to carry out responsibilities/duties within the framework of the Council's Dignity for all Policy. (Equal Opportunities Policy).
It is the policy of Islington Council that no user of service, present or future employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their sex, perceived or actual sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion or belief, age, creed, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, or disability, or on the grounds of their association with someone in one of these groups; nor is disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified. We welcome applications from Black and Minority Ethnic candidates and acknowledge our responsibility to mitigate against racial discrimination.
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are also committed to flexible working and will consider requests where possible.
Islington Council also operates random drug or alcohol testing for safety critical roles or for where there may be just cause.
To apply for this position please use the online application process. Please note that the council only accepts online applications, no CVs or alternative forms of applications are accepted. If you are unable to use the online process please contact the Recruitment team on 020 7527 2155 or e-mail [email protected]
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- A business and administration or financial qualification or studying towards a CCAB qualification
- 1 years’ experience in an environment specific to the role of Direct Payments or a financial management environment.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Local government experience including a thorough understanding of Adult’s Services payments and income
Skills
Essential criteria
- An understanding of accountancy concepts and principles and ability to reconcile payments.
- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding of legislation, accounting conventions and codes of practice governing local government finance
- Experience of managing the financial affairs of vulnerable adults and related functions or experience of income assessment, billing, collection, payments and recovery processes
- Relevant experience of budget planning, monitoring and closing of accounts
- Experience of providing technical advice to non-finance managers
- Ability to deal effectively with complex queries and to provide appropriate advice as required
- Ability to communicate complex, diverse information effectively with all levels of staff, external agencies and service users in a clear and concise manner
- Ability to prioritise conflicting demands and to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines
- Ability to make effective decisions in a timely manner
- Ability to work flexibly
- Experience of using financial software packages and other related software
- Proficient and innovative in the use of modern office technology (MS Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook)
- Ability to establish, develop and maintain effective relationships within organisations and externally with partner organisations
- Ability to develop positive and effective working relationships within a team
- Ability to apply the principles of excellent customer focus
- Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety legislation
- Ability to adhere to the Council’s Dignity for All policy
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dimple Bhere
- Job title
- Team Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 020 7527 8977
No longer accepting applications
Sorry, this vacancy is no longer accepting applications.
You can search for similar jobs on the employer's job board, or visit our national jobs board Health Jobs UK.