Finance Officer TLNT1_NI

The Finance Officer will be responsible as a member of a multi-skilled team, for a wide range of duties primarily relating to Employee Payments, Income Collection or Supplier Payments. The postholder would not be expected to be proficient in all of these areas from the outset but should have experience in at least two of the areas. The Finance Officer will contribute to the efficient and effective running of the finance service in a confidential manner.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Employee Payments
  • To process and check all input data for employee payments, ensuring that all payments are made in accordance with the appropriate conditions of service and individual contracts, including sick, maternity, paternity pay, calculation of various deductions, pay increases, arrears of pay etc. and to prepare a BACS payment file.
  • To create and maintain master payroll files and to reconcile figures for tax, national insurance and pension on a period-by-period basis, making necessary adjustments.
  • To maintain all necessary elements of the pension schemes including new entrants, transfers and leavers for employees and balance and complete year-end reports within deadlines.
  • To carry out the processes to ensure the Council's adherence to the statutory requirements (e.g. Real Time Information and Automatic Enrolment schemes).
  • Payment of Allowances to Councillors, including the receipt, checking and processing of Councillors monthly claims.
  • Checking and processing staff expense claims. Maintenance of expenses system and update to salaries and wages system.
• Income Collection
  • To process customer invoices and maintain the debtors ledger on the Council's financial system.
  • Carrying out month end procedures and reconciliation of the appropriate control accounts.
  • Liaising with employees in relation to the administration of the recurring charges database.
  • To record, process, reconcile and analyse income received across all Council locations and directly into the Council's bank accounts.
  • To deliver Council's credit control procedures, including contact customers regarding outstanding debts.
  • To prepare direct debit collection files for submission.
• Supplier Payments
  • To process all supplier invoices and other payments on the Council's financial system including maintenance of all supplier accounts, preparation of cheques and BACS payment files and reconciliation of appropriate control accounts.
  • To record, process, reconcile and analyse all payments made directly from the Council's bank account (e.g. standing orders, direct debits, payment cards transactions).
  • To regularly review and reconcile supplier statements and take appropriate actions to clear outstanding invoices and resolve queries.
• General Duties
  • To process journal entries and other data input on the computerised financial system and spreadsheets.
  • To assist with maintenance of stationery stock; incoming and outgoing post, filing requirements and other clerical duties as required.
  • To complete appropriate forms and statutory returns and ensure all enquiries are responded to accurately and on a timely basis.
  • To assist in the preparation of responses to Freedom of Information requests.
  • To comply with all financial policies.
  • To provide cover or support for other employees in the service in respect of meeting deadlines.
  • To comply with and promote equality, health and safety in accordance with Council Policies and legal requirements.
  • To undertake any other appropriate duties as may be allocated from time to time in accordance with the general nature of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The person specification provides information on the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills required to carry out the duties of the post. The essential criteria will be used for shortlisting and as part of the selection process.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Essential Requirements: 2 A levels or equivalent
• Desirable Requirements: A further appropriate finance qualification

EXPERIENCE

• Essential Requirements: Minimum of 1 years experience in a financial environment which includes organising and prioritising a demanding workload. Experience in the daily use of spreadsheets. Demonstrating a high standard of accuracy in maintaining and processing detailed records. Experience of working as a team member. Using MS Office, including Word and Excel.
• Desirable Requirements: Payroll Experience

KEY SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Essential Requirements: Good verbal communication skills. Understanding and appreciation of the differing needs and requirements of individuals and groups. Ability to produce accurate and detailed work to tight deadlines. Good numeracy skills.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The selection panel reserves the right to enhance the shortlisting criteria by years of experience to facilitate the process when necessary.