At a Glance
- Tasks: Process payments accurately and resolve queries to support families and communities.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in Hertfordshire focused on positive outcomes for residents.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £25,583 with opportunities for progression and hybrid working.
- Other info: Great career growth potential in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring timely financial support for those in need.
- Qualifications: AAT or equivalent experience, strong communication, and IT skills required.
The predicted salary is between 25583 - 28142 € per year.
Children's Services and Adult Care Services
Starting Salary: £25,583 opportunity to progress to £28,142 per annum (pro rata for part time)
Hours: 1 x Full Time - 37 Hours & 1 x Part Time - 20 Hours per week
Location: Stevenage/Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Resources
About the team
Our Payments Team supports children, families, and wider Hertfordshire communities by ensuring accurate, timely, and efficient financial processing. Our vision is to deliver a reliable, person‑centred payments service that enables frontline teams to focus on achieving positive outcomes for residents. We aim to provide a high-quality, transparent service that resolves payment issues quickly and helps maintain strong, trusted relationships with providers and service users.
About the role
- Process payments accurately and on time, ensuring financial transactions are completed in line with agreed procedures and deadlines.
- Investigate and resolve payment queries promptly, liaising with colleagues, providers, and internal teams where required.
- Support the smooth day‑to‑day delivery of payment processes by assisting colleagues and contributing to efficient financial administration.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to resolve issues, share knowledge, and maintain continuity across the service.
- Identify discrepancies, escalate issues where appropriate, and support the resolution of financial or process‑related concerns.
About you
Essential- AAT or equivalent or equivalent experience
- Demonstrable experience working in a fast‑paced administrative or financial processing environment.
- Confident communicator with the ability to handle queries professionally and build effective working relationships with colleagues, providers, and residents.
- Competent IT skills, including confident use of Microsoft Office applications (especially Excel) – there will be a short Excel Test at interview stage.
- Understanding of audit requirements, internal controls, or financial compliance frameworks.
It offers rewarding challenges through managing a varied workload, resolving complex queries, and balancing accuracy with competing deadlines. These roles provide valuable opportunities to develop knowledge of financial processes, systems, and service operations, while strengthening skills in problem‑solving, communication, and process improvement. They also play a key role in identifying inefficiencies and supporting more effective ways of working, making it a strong foundation for future progression into senior operational or finance‑focused roles.
If you’re motivated by impactful work and want to be part of positive change, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).
Payments Officer in Stevenage employer: Hertfordshire County Council
As a Payments Officer within our dedicated team in Stevenage, you will be part of an organisation that prioritises community impact and employee development. We offer a supportive work culture that values collaboration and transparency, alongside competitive salaries and opportunities for career progression. Join us to make a meaningful difference while enhancing your skills in a dynamic environment that champions personal growth and professional excellence.
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Payments Officer in Stevenage
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, or join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to payments processing. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of how you've resolved payment issues or improved processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Payments Officer in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience in financial processing and administration. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share why you're passionate about supporting children and families, and how your skills can help us deliver a reliable payments service.
Show Off Your IT Skills:Since we need someone with solid IT skills, especially in Excel, mention any relevant experience or projects where you've used these tools effectively. We want to see your confidence in action!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Payments Officer, you'll be dealing with financial transactions daily. Brush up on your numerical skills and be prepared to discuss your experience with financial processing. Familiarise yourself with common payment systems and procedures relevant to the role.
✨Excel is Your Best Friend
Since there's an Excel test in the interview, make sure you're comfortable with functions, formulas, and data manipulation. Practise using Excel to analyse data or create reports, as this will showcase your competence and confidence during the interview.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll need to handle queries professionally, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think of examples where you've resolved issues or built relationships with colleagues or clients. This will demonstrate your communication skills and ability to work collaboratively.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've identified discrepancies or resolved complex queries. Highlight your approach to problem-solving and how you ensure accuracy while meeting deadlines. This will show that you're proactive and capable of handling the challenges of the role.
