Finance Funding Officer

As a Funding Officer, you will provide exceptional administrative support to our Nursery Managers and the Finance team.You will complete funding claims for the nurseries on the relevant platforms and portals. Ensuring Estimate claims, Actual claims and adjustments are completed accurately and in line with the deadlines provided termly by the relevant local authorities.Reconcile claims and payments, highlighting inaccuracies in payments and liaising with local authorities to resolve discrepancies.Work with nursery management and administrative teams to ensure funding rules and local authority rules in relation to funding claims and documents are met.Answer queries in relation to funding processes and claims to support Bright Horizons funding offer.,

• Provide support to Nursery Managers on Funding
• Track funding Entitlement
• Liaise with local authorities to maintain relationships and make sure funds are paid in accordance with contracts
• Maintain bank and balance sheets reconciliations
• Identify and highlight to the Finance Funding Manager any issues causing non-process of funds
• Assist with internal & external audit processes
• Have a customer centred approach to the running of the function
• Promote good working relationships, dealing (where possible) with communication breakdowns before they arise, and defusing tense situations.
• Work in partnership with the rest of the Finance team, and wider business colleagues, Demonstrates consistent behaviours aligned with our HEART principles, acting with Honesty, Excellence, Accountability and Respect in all interactions, decisions and ways of working.
• Able to work in partnership with both internal and external contacts, including Local Authorities
• Understanding of confidentiality, and the ability to work within this
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbally, with the ability to have empathy
• Ability to identify concerns, prioritise critical issues and resolve complex dilemmas in a fair, open and reasoned manner.
• Reflect on the quality of own performance. Respond positively to direction and improve own performance. Know when to seek advice and support.
• Ability to self-manage, be flexible, adaptable, proactive and embrace new ways of doing things. Ability to learn new processes and utilise internal software/database
Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. If you share our passion, values, and have most of the skills listed, we encourage you to apply - as you may be just what we are looking for!


• Previous experience within a financial administrative role
• Microsoft Excel to an intermediate level
Desirable Experience:
• Accounting qualification advantageous, but not essential
• Previous experience within Funding advantageous, but not essential
Qualifications:
• GCSE Maths and English