JOB DESCRIPTION

FINANCE

TITLE:Financial ServicesAssistant

LOCATION:Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea

DATE:October 2017

RESPONSIBLE TO:Financial Services Manager

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

Key Achievement Areas

To provide administration support to the Finance Department including all aspects of the following:

  • Assist The Financial Services Manager in the production, monitoring and analysis of the all budget areas including Operating, Repairs, Capital and South Essex Property Services;
  • Assist the Financial Services Manager in budgetary control in accordance with agreed annual timetable and that information is supplied to populate reports prepared for submission to the Board on an accruals basis, together with final projections;
  • Assist The Financial Services Manager in the delivery of the End of Year Statutory Accounts for South Essex Homes Group in accordance with the timetable and liaison with internal and external auditors as requested by the Financial Services Manager as required to ensure final sign off the accounts;
  • Complete regular reconciliation’s of control accounts, bank accounts, imprest accounts and balance sheet accounts;
  • Assist the Financial Services Manager in the process of setting Service, Heating and Water charges. Provide analysis of respective areas as and when required;
  • Promote and ensure that financial controls are maintained across the company to the highest standard;
  • Provide the relevant support across the business to promote and contribute towards Value for Money;
  • Prepare Invoices for Payment ensuring they are authorised in compliance with the Scheme of Delegation;
  • Process payments for suppliers of South Essex Homes and South Essex Property Services to ensure compliance with both Schemes of delegation and Financial Regulations. Ensure that all payments are made promptly and accurately posted to the Company accounts;
  • Assist the Accountancy Assistants with specific supplier queries and ensure that payment discrepancies are dealt with satisfactorily;
  • Ensuring sales are invoiced in accordance with the policy and pre determined timescales, and allocating payments to accounts promptly;
  • Assist in the company’s performance and benchmarking projects as well as undertaking research as required, including joint research with service areas;
  • Assisting as required the Financial Services Manager with the preparation and submission of various tax returns such as VAT, PAYE, CIS and Corporation Tax
  • Ensure Resident Association accounts are kept in order and relevant treasurers of the associations receive training as and when required
  • Any other relevant ad hoc duties required by the Financial Services Manager.

No job profile can cover every issue which may arise within the post at various times, and the jobholder may be required to carry out other duties requested by the Senior Management Team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

FINANCE

POST:FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT

ESSENTIAL
/
DESIRABLE
EDUCATION
/ GCSE passes in English &Mathematics or equivalent
KNOWLEDGE &
EXPERIENCE / Experience of providing effective customer-focused services;
A first-class knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and the ability to apply this successfully to problem solving and management information.
LEADERSHIP / Ability to be part of a team that provides vision and strategic direction, whilst ensuring effective management of the company;
Can prioritise and plan and balance short term and long term goals and objectives;
Experience of providing general financial advice to stakeholders;
Empowers and enables others. / 
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT / Understanding of budgets
CUSTOMER
FOCUS / Committed to delivering a quality Customer Service, best practice and best value in all aspects of the company’s operations;
Ensures quality and productivity goals and standards are met.
PERSONAL
QUALITIES / Highly numerate and data rational and able to present and discuss information that can be clearly understood and used;
Able to work to demanding performance targets;
Capable of delivering results to tight deadlines and under pressure;
Demonstrates effective problem solving and decision making skills;
Demonstrates the skills and ability to resolve conflict constructively. / 
EQUAL
OPPORTUNITIES / Ensures equality of opportunity and encourages diversity in service provision and employment.
COMMUNICATION / Strong verbal and written communication skills;
Able to forge effective working relationships at all levels, with tenants, staff and the wide range of external bodies required;
Able to network and build productive working relationships and partnerships including Southend Borough Council;
Confident and effective at negotiating.
PERSONAL
MOTIVATION &
COMMITMENT / Demonstrates drive and determination;
Seeks ways to continuously improve and learn;
Takes responsibility for own self development.