Finance Assistant in Downpatrick

*Closing: 9^th October*

Finance Assistant

Downshire Civic Centre, Downpatrick

Temporary (Approx 8 weeks)

£16.26 per hour

36 hours per week

Main Purpose

The post holder will report to and support the Finance Supervisor, to provide a comprehensive and efficient financial service across the area of work, which meets the needs of the Council, regulatory authorities and statutory agencies. Undertake the efficient operation of either the Council's Accounts Payable and / or Receivable functions (as required by the Finance Supervisor). Initiate electronic and manual payments up to the stage of having them for authorisation by the Supervisor.

Main Roles and Responsibilities

Financial responsibilities

• Provide accurate, timely and relevant financial reports as required.
• Data input to, retrieval from a range of Management Information Systems, as required, for example Sun, Vision, Kontrolla etc.
• Assist the Financial Supervisor in the provision of advice, with external assistance if required on various financial matters.
• Ensure that all transactions within the relevant section are processed in accordance with Council Policy and Audit Regulations.
• Ensure codes on invoices received and payable are accurate and reflect the Council's accounting structure.
• Liaise with and provide advice to external and internal stakeholders in relation to the area of responsibility as appropriate, for example Customers, Suppliers, Contractors, Purchasing department and internal staff etc. Provide information to auditors as appropriate.
• Responsible for updating and reviewing suppliers, customers and client details for internal and external stakeholders.
• Raise nominal ledger journals as required.
• Maintain systems and records to ensure the efficient fulfilment of the function and provision of appropriate audit trails.

10.Provide training and mentoring to new staff to the section and supervise designated temporary staff and/or volunteers/students as required.

11.Verify annual stock takes of allocated departments.

12.Issue to Credit Notes where appropriate.

13.Responsible for cash intake and issuing of manual and computer receipts, including visa card transactions.

14.Update cash/receipts data to computer and reconcile input data to computer output.

15.Responsible for applying and posting of nominal ledger coding to daily receipts. Maintain Bank Lodgement files, preparation of bank lodgements, including monies from Council departments, summarising receipts and preparing analysis of income. Administrative responsibilities

16.Deal with telephone calls, desk enquiries, screen and redirect callers as necessary.

17.Handle incoming and outgoing mail: date stamping, recording, distributing and filing.

18.Maintain stationery and other supplies for the Office.

19.Responsible for maintenance of adequate manual and electronic filing systems.

Service Delivery and Performance

• Provide administrative support in the finance section, in the area of responsibility as allocated by the Finance Supervisor and be accountable to the Finance Supervisor for the effective development and delivery of the relevant area of responsibility:
• Accounts Payable Administer the Accounts Payable system to include registration and preliminary coding, matching, processing and payment of suppliers invoices, answering queries from suppliers and reconciling accounts paid.
• Review / maintain Purchase Ledger for supplier details, turnover, outstanding invoices etc., dealing with customers as required.
• Preparation of payment run and creation of BACS, cheque payments and Payment Listing reports for Council.
• Responsible for all creditor payments for both Revenue and Capital spend, in line with Council Policy and Audit regulations.
• Responsible for ensuring the calculation and payment of Councillors and Officials subsistence and attendance payments.
• Responsible for the administration of the Tax Construction Industry Scheme (C.I.S).

Essential Criteria:

(Please note that Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd require original certificates as proof of all qualifications listed on CV)

• Grade C or above in at least 4 GCSES* or equivalent qualification one of which must be GCSE English Language or equivalent and one of which must be a GCSE in a numerate subject or equivalent.
• Have 2 years' relevant experience in a Finance Department to include Accounts Receivable (Debtors) or Accounts Payable (Creditors) to include debt recovery management.
• At least 1 year experience of working with a Financial Management Information System/s.
• Be able to demonstrate a high level of competency in use of Microsoft office applications especially Excel.
• Hold a full current driving licence and access to transport or access to transport to meet the requirements of the post.

Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and a Corporate Member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd adheres to all current employment legislation.

We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date, should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please send your CV as early as possible.

Please note only those candidates shortlisted may be contacted.

**Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK and Ireland. We are unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. **

Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd regardless if you already have a valid certificate. It will be a cost of between £16 - £32 depending on clearance level.