Finance Assistant

Our Business Support Finance team is offering a great opportunity for someone looking to develop their career in a supportive finance environment. If you have excellent customer service skills, strong organisation, and some experience in administration and finance - we would love to hear from you! The Children's Finance team provide co-ordinated and comprehensive financial support throughout the Directorate in accordance with Council and Directorate financial procedures. We are a transactional finance team who work collaboratively with team members to provide a high-quality and efficient finance service. As a Senior Finance Assistant, you will play a key role in providing technical finance expertise within Children's Services, supporting the efficient and accurate delivery of financial processes across the service. Your key responsibilities as a Senior Finance Assistant will include:

• Acting as a bridge between day-to-day processing and management oversight, you will take ownership of more complex areas such as reclaims, VAT, audits, uplift processes, reporting, and quality assurance
• Supporting the smooth running of the finance function by monitoring reports through systems such as Aperture and Tableau
• Maintaining robust financial controls, ensuring work is completed accurately, consistently, and in line with Council procedures, audit standards, and statutory requirements
• Providing guidance and support to colleagues, helping to strengthen team knowledge, improve consistency, and promote high-quality customer service for internal and external stakeholders
• Contributing to service improvements and supporting effective team activity when required
• Helping to ensure Children's Services receives reliable, responsive, and professional finance support that contributes to better outcomes for children and families
  
  Excellent organisational, analytical and administrative skills, with experience in transactional finance or similar financial processes
• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy across all financial data, records, and correspondence
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Word, Outlook, Excel, and MS Teams, with the ability to learn new finance systems such as Unit4, LIFT, and EYES
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, showing professionalism, diplomacy, and the ability to communicate clearly with colleagues, families, and external partners
• Commitment to high-quality customer service, supporting internal and external stakeholders in a timely and helpful manner
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a busy team, with experience supporting colleagues in a similar administrative or financial setting
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection, particularly when handling sensitive information related to children and families
  
  This full-time, permanent position has a starting salary of £34,660 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.
We are excited to be recruiting a new Senior Finance Assistant to join our fantastic Children's Finance team based at Victoria Gate in Woking. Our team offers a a combination of office and home working depending on business needs. We will ensure that you receive a full induction and training, with regular guidance, support and performance conversations with your Senior Finance Team Leader. We want you to feel confident and capable in your role. Our Offer to You
• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service (pro rata for part-time hours)
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents