Financial Operations Assistant

at  University of Derby

JOB DETAILS

Responsible to
Income Team Leader
Location
Kedleston Road, Derby Campus
Closing date
Thursday 31 October 2024
Salary
£25,698 to £26,875 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £30,907 per annum)
Job grade

ATOS 4

Reference
0292-24
Contract type
Permanent
Post type
Full-time
Adaptive working type
Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
The Finance Department act as business partners, working collaboratively to provide an exceptional service to stakeholders within Colleges and Professional Services departments, in support of the University’s strategic objectives.
We produce, analyse and disseminate financial and business information and provide advice to support and improve the financial performance of the University.
The team oversee and influence the smooth operation of all financial transactions within the University and are responsible for the production of annual statutory accounts.
About the role
The role will involve predominantly bank transmissions activities, but you may also have the opportunity to work in all areas of our fast paced Operations Team.
You will work closely with the Bank Transmissions Team Leader to ensure an effective, customer focused, and responsive service is provided for all stakeholders. The role sits within a small team that carry out the day-to-day operation of the Bank Transmissions office in accordance with internal and external targets and deadlines. Work will include liaising with the Bank over operational / transactional matters and the monitoring of bank accounts.
The Financial Operations Assistant will ensure that timely and accurate information is available to support effective departmental decision making and will be expected to adopt a forward-thinking approach by identifying and reporting any risks.
About You
You will be responsible for processing the daily transactions , reconciliations, resolving queries, all whilst constantly maintaining our high standards of customer service. You will be goal focused , possess the ability to multi task and have the experience to liaise with both internal and external stakeholders. This will be achieved by adopting a flexible approach and prioritising tasks accordingly.
You will need to have considerable practical experience of working within a Finance environment. You will be working in a small Bank Transmissions team, so teamwork is essential but also the ability and confidence to work autonomously, following relevant training. Much of the role involves transactional activity so an eye for detail and the ability to demonstrate accuracy is a key requirement.
This is an exciting opportunity for a customer focused individual, with experience of working within a Finance Department. We are looking for someone who recognises the importance of accuracy and attention to detail and the impact of this across the business. You will work within a small busy team with individual tasks to complete throughout the day so teamwork and communication skills are vital.

Principal accountabilities

• Deliver the day-to-day operation of the Bank Transmissions office to achieve internal and external targets and deadlines. Ensure a high degree of assurance in the integrity of our operations by ensuring all actions and decisions are transparent.
• Ensure the accurate and timely posting of income and transmission of outgoing payments and reconciliation of card payments.
• Liaise with the Bank over operational issues and monitoring of bank accounts.
• To ensure policies and procedures are documented, acted upon and support both the Financial Regulations and the Finance Department in the achievement of its goals.
• To assist with initiatives in the department that involve a required change in process or procedure. Deliver future proof outcomes by thinking ahead and anticipating future needs and challenges.
• On occasion support other areas of Financial Operations for example Income team and Accounts Payable.
• Support high profile events such as enrolment, welcome day, and Awards Ceremonies to ensure their smooth operation in accordance with the Financial Regulations.
• Ensure an inherent customer service ethos within self and team. Champion a continuous improvement in service delivery to raise the profile of the team.
• Gain co-operation and support from peers in colleges and departments to improve the service.
• Challenge internal systems and procedures that don’t focus on customer needs.
• Attend forums, workshops and informative events throughout the year and maintain awareness of organisational change in support of the University values and behaviours.
• Be knowledgeable of cashbook processes, BACs transmission and bank reconciliation and understand the impact the transactions and processes have on other areas within the Finance Department e.g. Treasury, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and General Ledger.
• Ensure that timely and accurate information is available to support effective decision making i.e. cashbooks up to date, all nominal entries posted and failed transmissions recorded.
• Adopt a forward-thinking approach by identifying and reporting any risks to the Bank Transmissions Team Leader.
• Seek and adopt best practice, maintain a high level of accuracy in all outputs and provide a flexible approach to delivering deadlines.
• Work with influence across the University by developing and sustaining relationships.
• Be fully aware of your health and safety responsibilities.
• Promote and exemplify the University’s values.
• Promote agility and collaboration across teams you may be required to carry out other duties or projects consistent with the level of this post. To continue personal and professional development under the support and guidance of the Bank Transmissions Team Leader and senior finance colleagues.

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 or above.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of input into Financial Ledgers.
• Demonstrable experience of working in a Finance Office.
• Understand impact of bank transmission transactions & processes on other areas within Finance e.g. Treasury, AP, AR, GL.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

• Resilient, proactive and adaptable to change.
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines in a demanding environment.
• Drive and determination for excellence.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to liaise and negotiate with customers.
• Proven ability to prioritise workloads.
• Sound digital skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to persuade, influence and engage.

BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Ability and commitment to occasionally work additional hours, to include evenings and sometimes weekends to meet deadlines as appropriate.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits
Key contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Deborah Shipley, Income Team Leader via d.j.shipley@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.
Don’t miss your chance – join the team and make a difference today

• Deliver the day-to-day operation of the Bank Transmissions office to achieve internal and external targets and deadlines. Ensure a high degree of assurance in the integrity of our operations by ensuring all actions and decisions are transparent.
• Ensure the accurate and timely posting of income and transmission of outgoing payments and reconciliation of card payments.
• Liaise with the Bank over operational issues and monitoring of bank accounts.
• To ensure policies and procedures are documented, acted upon and support both the Financial Regulations and the Finance Department in the achievement of its goals.
• To assist with initiatives in the department that involve a required change in process or procedure. Deliver future proof outcomes by thinking ahead and anticipating future needs and challenges.
• On occasion support other areas of Financial Operations for example Income team and Accounts Payable.
• Support high profile events such as enrolment, welcome day, and Awards Ceremonies to ensure their smooth operation in accordance with the Financial Regulations.
• Ensure an inherent customer service ethos within self and team. Champion a continuous improvement in service delivery to raise the profile of the team.
• Gain co-operation and support from peers in colleges and departments to improve the service.
• Challenge internal systems and procedures that don’t focus on customer needs.
• Attend forums, workshops and informative events throughout the year and maintain awareness of organisational change in support of the University values and behaviours.
• Be knowledgeable of cashbook processes, BACs transmission and bank reconciliation and understand the impact the transactions and processes have on other areas within the Finance Department e.g. Treasury, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and General Ledger.
• Ensure that timely and accurate information is available to support effective decision making i.e. cashbooks up to date, all nominal entries posted and failed transmissions recorded.
• Adopt a forward-thinking approach by identifying and reporting any risks to the Bank Transmissions Team Leader.
• Seek and adopt best practice, maintain a high level of accuracy in all outputs and provide a flexible approach to delivering deadlines.
• Work with influence across the University by developing and sustaining relationships.
• Be fully aware of your health and safety responsibilities.
• Promote and exemplify the University’s values.
• Promote agility and collaboration across teams you may be required to carry out other duties or projects consistent with the level of this post. To continue personal and professional development under the support and guidance of the Bank Transmissions Team Leader and senior finance colleagues