Senior Finance Officer

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Job Description

• Suffolk County Council - Beacon House, Ipswich, IP1 5PB - Hybrid
• £27,711 per annum (pro rata if part time)
• 37 hours per week - Flexible working options available
• Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We're not just a local authority; we're a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities. As our new Senior Finance Officer, you'll have the unique opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Your contributions will help build a brighter future for all. If you're passionate about making a real, tangible difference, it's time to reimagine your career with us. Join Suffolk County Council and turn your passion for positive change into action.

The Financial Inclusion and Advice Service (FIAS) is a supportive environment where there is the option for flexible working. Our colleagues are highly motivated and encouraged to develop their skills further, with opportunities to progress within the organisation.

• Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives by supporting them during times of financial challenges?
• Do you have understanding and practical experience of working with debt management, deferred payments, and accruals?
• Are you sensitive to the needs of older people, people with disabilities and their families and carers?
• Would you like to work in a varied, challenging and rewarding role?
• Would you like to be involved in creating a culture where excellent social work practice and strong financial management work hand in hand?

Your role and responsibilities:

In this role as Senior Finance Officer, no two days are ever the same. You will learn something new every day as you work with with small vibrant team of experienced and supportive colleagues.

As a key member of the FIAS team, you'll manage complex debt, deferred payment and accrual cases while serving as the primary technical expert for colleagues across the organisation. Working under the guidance of senior management, you'll support social care teams, business managers, and finance departments in debt prevention, management and recovery and also be responsible for the day to day work of the team. The role involves maintaining your own caseload while developing broader expertise across FIAS functions, and contributing to process improvements and guidance development to enhance service delivery and meet key targets.

• communicating with Adults, their representatives, and professionals via phone, email, letters or in-person meetings
• responsibility for your own caseloads, which includes supporting Adults to maximise income, if required
• remote or face-to-face meetings with Adults or their representative to gather evidence to resolve outstanding debt issues
• liaising with colleagues from other departments such as Corporate Finance, Area Business Managers, operational area/team managers, among others, to manage debts cases effectively
• preparing data and undertaking financial analyses to facilitate resolution of identified debt cases
• ensuring payments are made in a timely manner
• be first point of contact for response to complaints relating to work area.
• taking part in FIAS panels.

You will need to

• be willing and able to learn new skills
• always be professional in your approach
• be confident in delivering high standard customer service
• be able to work proactively, both as an individual and as part of a team
• have a strong understanding of IT systems such as LiquidLogic and ContrOCC, and Microsoft packages (desirable)
• have good attention to detail and be solution-focused
• have the ability to use your own initiative
• be flexible in your approach to work.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Suffolk County Council's Accruals, Deferred Payments and Debt Management Team is based in Ipswich, and we sit within the Financial Inclusion and Advice Service, which also includes teams responsible for carrying out financial assessments for residential and community care, authorising and monitoring direct payments, managing people's financial affairs, and providing specialist benefit and housing advice to other practitioners, among others.

Empowering Everyone

We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report

For more information

Please contact Rabbi Deloso for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01473 265201 or emailing rabbi.deloso@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).

Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note: Without a CV, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailingrecruitment@suffolk.gov.ukor calling 03456 014412.If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 29 January 2025.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid

About Us

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).