About Us

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Principal Finance Officer to join our team.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Finance Officer to join our team in the Housing & Regeneration department. As the Senior Finance Officer, you will be responsible for providing a comprehensive financial service to the department, ensuring that financial activities are conducted in a timely, accurate and compliant manner.

Role

In this role, you will provide a comprehensive financial service to the department, including monitoring departmental budgets/expenditure, processing invoices and making payments. Your responsibilities extend to maintaining accurate financial records, reviewing utility billing invoices for accuracy and reconciling them with consumption data. You'll be actively involved in the preparation of detailed management reports and offering crucial advice and support to departmental staff. Ensuring strict compliance with all relevant financial regulations and procedures is paramount, as is working closely with other departments to guarantee seamless financial coordination. Your role also involves contributing significantly to the continuous improvement of financial systems and processes. 

About us

The Departmental Finance Support team plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth financial operations of the Housing & Regeneration department. Our team is composed of highly skilled and experienced officers who possess an intimate understanding of the department's intricate financial processes. We are adept at handling a wide range of financial tasks, demonstrating exceptional versatility and expertise in all areas of the department's financial management. Our collaborative and supportive work environment promotes continuous learning, allowing us to provide unparalleled service to the Housing & Regeneration department. Our exceptional communication skills enable us to effectively interact with officers at all levels, fostering strong partnerships and contributing significantly to the overall success of the department.

Key Duties

Monitoring of departmental budgets and expenditure.

Processing of invoices, payments and journals.

Review utility billing invoices ensuring accuracy.

Reconcile utility billing invoices and recharge council wide.

Preparation of financial reports.

Providing financial advice and support to departmental staff.

Ensuring compliance with all relevant financial regulations and procedures.

About you

The successful candidate does not have to be a finance professional, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds who are able to demonstrate a high level of transferrable skills and knowledge. However, local government experience and knowledge of financing in local government is highly desirable. Ongoing training will be provided to the successful candidate in keeping with the council’s commitment to staff development. You will need to have a practical approach to problem solving and be comfortable with cyclical tasks. For example, you will be responsible for updating conversion tables, uploading weekly interface files, reviewing energy billing submissions and applying controls for accurate recharging to all council departments. You will have an analytical mind and be a well-developed communicator both orally and written, familiar with Microsoft software suite, self-motivated and be committed to providing good customer care. You will have the ability to work independently without direct supervision yet still be an active member of the team. 

Benefits

This is an excellent opportunity to work with a leading local authority and make a positive impact on the lives of local people. The position offers a competitive salary and flexible working arrangements, along with a commitment to staff training and development.

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, 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 40 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. 

We are friendly, supportive and committed to helping team members develop their skills and knowledge.  This is a busy and challenging role, but it is also very rewarding. You will have the opportunity to work on a variety of interesting projects and make a real difference to the Department and its residents. 

Indicative Recruitment Timeline:

Closing Date: Sunday 10^th December 2023

Interview Date: W/C 11^th December 2023

Interview Date: TBC

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. 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