Finance Support Officer

Connect2Luton are excited to recruit a Finance Support Officer on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

Main purpose of position

To provide effective and efficient financial administrative support to the Building and Technical Services Division by accurately and effectively administering the materials contracts and ensuring that all invoices are paid and materials purchased in a timely manner, so that the business is not disrupted due to wrong materials being supplied, late delivery or no delivery. To support the Finance Supervisor by effectively following the Councils Financial Regulations and Procurement procedures. Actively contribute to the achievement of the wider Housing Landlord aims, operational objectives and future state.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to all areas of BTS by effectively and efficiently purchasing non-standard materials, such as windows, doors, fire doors, bathrooms, special equipment (aids & adaptations) ensuring the best value for money by driving down the cost to the business and lowering risk whilst adhering to the Procurement rules.
• Provide advice and guidance to all teams in relation to purchasing queries.
• Follow defined administrative procedures in relation to purchasing, invoicing and Good Received Notes.
• Maintain on a day to day basis accurate records so that BTS remains compliant with Financial Audit regulations.
• Accurately and efficiently process consolidated invoicing.
• Work in tandem with the Senior Transactional Procurement Buyers to achieve LBC's Procurement strategy and objectives, whilst ensuring compliance with the Procurement Policy and overall Council's regulations.
• Carry out spend profiling and procurement benchmarking, and positively challenge demand.
• Ensure that the Procurement Service Level Agreements and Key Performance Indicators are met.
• Process purchase orders following the defined procedures in order that materials are supplied to meet the requirements of the service.
• Process invoices for payment and to raise invoices for collection of income from both work in progress and completed jobs.
• Update records and provide management with statistical and general ledger information.
• Effectively manage the Landlord Lighting process for all communal lighting so that all bills are paid in a timely manner.
• Successfully resolve any discrepancies, arrange appointments with BTS and the Utility companies so that issues are resolved and projects progressed.
• Accurately breakdown the invoices into individual BTS cost centres using IBS reporting.
• Accurately cross-reference invoices received to the orders placed.
• Identify any discrepancies and endeavour to resolve them with the correct team.
• Provide advice and guidance to all departments in relation to low value transaction queries.

Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of dealing with financial administrative procedures.
• Demonstrable experience of administrative systems and processes.
• Able to communicate effectively and politely, in writing and verbally, with a range of people including customers, internal colleagues and external agencies.
• Able to use computer technologies including word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, databases etc.
• Able to work on own initiative within guidelines, planning, prioritising and organising work.
• Able to work to procedures, guidelines and targets / deadlines.
• Demonstrable experience of working in finance administration team.
• Able to attend sites throughout the borough as required.
• Flexible to support other BTS teams and colleagues as required.

About Us

Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council. Our heritage and being local government owned means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years. We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.