Jobs

Finance Officer (Children Services) required for our local authority client based in Merseyside.

THE ROLE:

Work autonomously and to manage, maintain and update computer information systems

as required in relation to the management and control of Direct Payments and SGO,

Adoption and CAO payments. Ensuring approvals, policies, procedures and systems are

complied with.

Update live real time financial information on all placements with. Responsibility for system

administration of the payment system (controcc) and assist in all other divisional systems.



Oversee the input, extract and manipulation of information, whether relating to finance,

service users or any other service requirement or eligibility criteria, this will include

producing bespoke and more complex reports to ensure that the regulations and

procedures are followed correctly. Prepare accurate Management Information (MI) reports

for Senior Leadership to report performance and inform effective decisions around

changes to business processes.

Use professional understanding to identify implications for service needs, service

efficiency, and service delivery; and alert managers to potentially significant opportunities

and risks and irregularities.



Monitor and provide a regular analysis of the services outstanding debt and to take action

to reduce and minimise this where possible.

Provide inbound and outbound contact, with service users in response to more complex

enquiries and advise on financial and administrative processes and deal with complaints

within the complaint's procedure. This may/includes home visits/ office visits to and from

service users for the purpose of validation of documents and undertaking financial

assessment to be presented to permanence panel and for use in the court arena.

Panel members on both permanence panel and direct payments panel; offering finance

advice and opinion.

Responsible for BACS set up and administration for all SGO, Adoption, CAO, Direct

Payment applications and set ups.

Ensure documents are processed in accordance with the Council's retention and

destruction policies for both manual and electronic systems e.g. scanning, filing etc.

Ensure all relevant legislation, policy and procedures and any associated documentation

are complied with.

Contribute to the development of systems and processes to meet organisational needs

and to ensure the high quality of information held.

Complete financial audits of all special guardians, adoption allowances, CAO payments

and direct payments 6 monthly.

To be fully conversant with the various conditions related to DP's, SGO, Adoption and CAO

and associated areas and be able to provide support, advice and training to both internal

and external colleagues on a regular basis.

Collaborate on the development of systems and processes/policies to meet operational

needs of the Council and ensure the high quality of information held.

Present advice and solutions to managers regarding payments to all SGO, CAO, Adoption

carers and Direct Payments.

Monitor and reconcile large budgets, producing financial reports and statements as

requested by managers with due regard to confidentiality and safeguarding.

To be aware of implication of any additional expenditure on the department budget and to

bring such information to the attention of the relevant manager and corporate finance.

Ensure all matters arising with service user enquiry is responded to in a timely manner.

To maintain effective working relationships with managers, internal departments, DWP and

other partner agencies of the council, and to attend meeting or working parties as required

Delivering workshops as required in relation to Direct Payments/ SGO payments/ Adoption

and CAO. Contribute to any / challenges in relation to financial support.

Compile information and data for use in internal complaint investigations and external

complaints including managed by the Local Government and Social Care ombudsman.

Knowledge and Skills:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of transactional and business support

processing procedures.

Knowledge of relevant specialist legislative requirements e.g. data protection.

Demonstrate the ability to analyse information and make an appropriate decision on a

course of action.

Demonstrate comprehensive IT skills e.g. use of Microsoft Office etc.

Experience of data input entry to business support systems and extrapolation.

Understanding of confidentiality requirements.

Ability to work to deadlines.

Ability to work directly with customers in relation to customer accounts.

Ability to liaise with banking organisations to ensure free flow of information in relation

to customer accounts.

Understanding of Universal benefits and entitlements.

Experience of basic data input entry to business support systems and extrapolation.

Understanding of confidentiality requirements.

Experience of working in a customer service or office environment.

Experience of working with service users on a face to face basis. This may include

undertaking visits to homes of service users or meeting service users in office spaces.

Able to work to deadlines.

Experience of undertaking financial assessments, monitoring, and managing accounts

Dealing with customers to improve effectiveness and efficiency

Experience of processing invoices, payments and receipts, including cheques, BACS



Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.

At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy may not have been shortlist by the client.

You can also send your CV direct to: paul.barrow@duttonrecruitment.com