Payments Assistant

Payments Assistant
Children, Families and Cultural Services
East Midlands

Job Purpose

To deliver operational activities within a payments team to facilitating payments to service users and internal and external care providers within agreed timescales, under the management and guidance of senior staff.

Key Responsibilities

• To work to defined business standards and processes; performing specific finance and clerical tasks with due regard to confidentiality and safeguarding.
• To create, process and examine purchase orders and invoices to ensure they comply with Financial Regulations, relevant departmental procedures and statutory guidance.
• To clarify and resolve queries from suppliers, service users, external agencies, organisations and staff within the authority in connection with this role.
• To process payments to and recover overpayments from a range of internal carers, using bespoke IT software.
• Undertake and complete financial assessments on carers who meet eligibility criteria for the payment of specific allowances.
• To provide advice and guidance to internal and external customers relating to the post holders area of work
• To ensure the effective maintenance of manual and computerised information systems and procedures, ensuring the efficient and timely processing of financial data, reports, statistics and other management information
• To undertake accountancy and reconciliation duties

Key Accountabilities

• For the accuracy and quality of information within the responsibility of the post holder
• To ensure that correct processes are being followed and to alert the appropriate manager to ensure compliance
• To ensure that corporate policies and financial regulations are adhered to
• Work efficiently and effectively to support operational services

The post holder will perform any duty or task that is appropriate for the role described

 Education and Knowledge

• Good literacy and numeracy skills to NVQ2 or equivalent
• Basic knowledge of Financial Regulations and Accountancy processes including VAT
• Basic knowledge of Data Protection Act

 Experience

• Experience of working in a busy setting to strict timescales
• Experience of working in a financial environment using systems such as accounts payable
• Experience of data input and data management ensuring accuracy and where appropriate confidentiality
• Significant experience and competence using IT and common business support packages including word processing and spreadsheets
• Experience of providing information to the public or customers using good communication skills
• Experience of using defined business processes and giving guidance on them to colleagues

Personal skills and general competencies

• Puts into practice the Council’s commitment to excellent customer care
• Works efficiently and effectively, and actively looks for ways of improving services and outcomes for customers
• Works well with colleagues but also able to work on their own initiative
• Shares the Council’s commitment to providing a safe environment for customers and staff and treating all with respect and consideration

Role Dimensions

• Work within Payments Team to policy and practice as directed.
• Delivering support to operational services to meet customer needs, but also to drive efficiency savings in the service.