The Role

About the role

We are pleased to launch an exciting opportunity for a Finance Apprentice to join the Parking Finance team within Parking Challenges and Compliance.  The successful applicant will be able to undertake a Level 2 Finance Assistant qualification with our approved training provider. 

Our ideal candidate may already have some experience and knowledge of working in an administrative environment, possibly in an accounts or finance team. In addition, they will be extremely well organised, able to work in a pressurised environment and ultimately work independently.

Candidates must be able to use Microsoft Office and have a working knowledge of MS Excel.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates.  This is an ideal opportunity for a school or college leaver who has undertaken work experience in an office. We are also interested to hear from you if you are looking at returning to work, changing your career, or looking for a new career direction.

Regular day to day duties will include:

• Using Outlook to respond to parking finance queries from the public.
• Scanning documents using internal processing systems.
• Reading finance reports to collate information.
• Using Excel to record information and produce statistics.
• Maintaining filing systems and databases as required.
• Processing payments and refunds.
• Undertaking any other duties in line with the general level of responsibility of the post, which is likely to include, at some time in the future, taking messages for colleagues using the phone.

Ideally you will have:

• prior experience of working with accounts (this may include work-experience)
• good written and spoken communication skills to liaise with the general public as well as colleagues within the council.
• a “can do“ attitude – be motivated, hardworking, flexible and comfortable with change.
• the ability to work on your own initiative as well as in a team.
• a good eye for detail, confident working with numbers and using Excel, logical and analytical.
• the ability to understand and respect the importance of confidentiality, both within and outside of the workplace.
• experience of taking pride in your work and seeing tasks through to completion.
• the ability to follow procedures, work to deadlines and targets.
• the opportunity to work flexibly within a team, asking for and giving support as needed, being a good team worker by being punctual and understand the impact absence can have on the team as a whole.
• a good working knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel.
• Have reliable internet access to so that you are able to work from home if desired.
• Be excellent at planning, organising and prioritising workload and work well in a busy environment.

About us

We are a small, friendly team supporting a much larger section, so you must be proactive and willing to roll up your sleeves and get “stuck in”.

We will provide training and continued support to help with your career progression.

At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we care more about how you work and what you achieve, rather than where you work on any given day. The difference you can make to our local communities is what really matters most to us, service delivery must always come first. We have carefully considered agile ways of working to provide the best experience for residents, stakeholders and our staff. Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know.

Your wellbeing and the flexible way in which you can work is and will remain a key priority for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. We want you to thrive and feel empowered in your work!

Benefits

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home, compressed or part-time hours, term time only, job shares and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date: 2^nd April 2023 at 12 midnight

Shortlisting Date: w/c 3^rd April

Interview Date: w/c 11^th April 2023  

There will be a test as part of the interview process.           

Useful Information:

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

The application process for this campaign will be anonymised.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils