At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial transactions and deliver excellent customer service in a dynamic team.
- Company: Essex County Council, a Disability Confident Leader committed to inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for personal development.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Join a forward-thinking team and make a real impact on financial processes.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths; good communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25081 - 25081 £ per year.
Fixed Term, Full Time £25,081 per annum
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: Sunday 25th May 2026 at 11.59pm
Fixed Term Contract / Secondment opportunity for a period of 12 months.
Credit control and not an accountancy focused role. Customer interaction by phone / email is the primary function so good communication skills are essential. Anywhere Worker role with expectation to attend County Hall, Chelmsford one day per week, with set team day being a Tuesday.
The Opportunity
Purchase to Pay (P2P) and Income aims to provide a comprehensive financial transactional and support service, maximising new and innovative technology to provide excellent customer service using a multi-skilled workforce. The Finance Assistant supports the Purchase to Pay (P2P) and Income teams to deliver the business plan for financial transactions. With a working knowledge of financial processes and systems across P2P and Income, ensuring data or income is input accurately, timely and within policy and legislation standards. Experienced in working as a team member across a flexible and multi-skilled workforce, delivering excellent customer service to a variety of functions by maintaining financial transactions and data within local systems. Recognising and supporting changes in technology to streamline the customer experience.
Accountabilities
- Contribute to the delivery of the business plan for financial transactions, in support of the wider organisational vision.
- Responsible for processing and managing financial transactions, following defined business processes, inputting, and interpreting data to ensure quality, consistency, accuracy, timeliness, and high performance.
- Responsible for delivering all activities to meet defined deadlines, proactively reporting any risks or issues for early resolution.
- Provides support and guidance to internal and external customers in a professional manner, in line with Financial processes, ensuring that policy and legislation are met.
- Carry out basic reporting for P2P and Income and external customers, which contributes to the management of organisational performance, maximises income and ensures compliance with Financial Regulations and ECC Policies.
- Work flexibly and collaboratively across P2P and Income to deliver finance support.
- Recommend process improvements and redesign to achieve best practice and organisational efficiency.
- Contribute to maintaining currency on legislation changes and translating these into local policy and procedure, to identify and review potential changes in technology.
- Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to RQF Level 2 (GCSE) must include English and Mathematics, or equivalent by experience.
- Cash management/allocation experience would be desirable but not mandatory.
- Experience in handling cheques, banking and admin activity would be desirable.
- Commitment to continued personal development within a working environment.
- Some knowledge of P2P/Income systems and demonstrable accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchase to pay and e-invoicing experience would be desirable.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Aptitude and willingness to work flexibly in multi-skilled Operational Teams.
- Level of good competency using Microsoft office packages including Outlook, Word and Excel.
- Ability to interpret varied information for supporting continuous improvements in service delivery.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external customers, suppliers and partners.
Equal Opportunity
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We are committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We are also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying. Upon securing your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
Finance Assistant – Banking, Controls & Reconciliation in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for the Finance Assistant role in Chelmsford. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on innovative technology, staff enjoy opportunities for personal growth while contributing to meaningful financial services that enhance customer experience. The inclusive culture promotes collaboration and ensures that all employees feel valued, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Assistant – Banking, Controls & Reconciliation in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Essex County Council and understand their values and mission. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves a lot of customer interaction, make sure you can articulate your thoughts clearly. Try mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to finance. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the opportunity. Don’t forget to follow up after applying to express your enthusiasm!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Assistant – Banking, Controls & Reconciliation in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Finance Assistant role. Highlight your relevant experience in financial transactions, customer service, and any knowledge of P2P systems. We want to see how you fit into our vision!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of customer interaction, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application, and maybe even share an example of how you've successfully handled customer queries in the past.
Be Proactive About Your Experience:If you have any experience with cash management or banking activities, make sure to mention it! Even if it's not mandatory, showing that you have some background in these areas can set you apart from other candidates. We love a proactive approach!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Counci
✨Know Your Financial Processes
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of financial processes, especially around Purchase to Pay (P2P) and Income. Being able to discuss how these systems work and their importance in maintaining accurate financial transactions will show that you're prepared and knowledgeable.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves a lot of customer interaction, practice your verbal and written communication skills. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated with customers or colleagues, and be ready to share those during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Teamwork
This position requires working in a multi-skilled team, so be prepared to discuss your experiences in collaborative environments. Highlight times when you've adapted to changes or worked flexibly to meet team goals.
✨Prepare for Process Improvement Discussions
The job mentions recommending process improvements, so think about any ideas you might have for streamlining financial processes. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to efficiency and best practices within the team.
