Please note this is a full time fixed term contract/secondment for 6 months.

Job Purpose

Purchase to Pay (P2P) and Income aims to provide a comprehensive financial transactional and support service, maximising new and innovative technology to provide excellent customer service using a multi skilled workforce.
This role is primarily to secure the outstanding debt on behalf of the authority in a timely fashion to ensure the recovery of revenue which is due.

Finance Officers in Purchase to Pay (P2P) and Income will contribute to the delivery of the business plan for financial transaction processing, by ensuring data or income is accurately maintained and managed within policy and legislation standards. Responding to more complex customer queries and supporting changes in technology to streamline the customer experience.

With knowledge of P2P/Income systems and demonstrable accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchase to pay and e-invoicing experience. The role requires good interpersonal and communication skills to deliver excellent customer service.

Service/Functional Accountabilities

Provides financial support in relation to the payments and collection of income, to both internal and external customers, contributing towards delivery of the business plan for financial transactions, in support of the wider organisational vision.

Provides technical support to team members and customers answering more complex queries in a professional manner in accordance with financial procedures. Acts as the subject matter expert for P2P, Assessment and/or Income processes.

Contribute to the identification and clarification of customer needs, to deliver process and technology changes, which drive efficiency and value for money.

Contribute to improving financial awareness and capability across the organisation, to promote the culture of empowering budget holders in line with financial regulations.

Carries out data analysis to produce reports for P2P & Income and external customers, to support the management of organisational performance, maximise income and ensure compliance to Financial Regulations and audit requirements.

Contributes to service improvement projects/programmes to achieve best practice and organisational efficiency by recommending process improvements and redesign.

Contributes to maintaining currency on legislation changes and translating these into local policy and procedure, to identify and review potential changes in technology.

Working collaboratively and flexibly across teams within P2P & Income to deliver a high level of service to all functions.

Contribute to identifying risks and supporting the resolution, to minimise financial impact and loss to the organisation.

Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

* Educated to RQF level 2 (GCSE level) including English and Mathematics, or equivalent by experience.
* Commitment to continued personal development within a working environment.
* Knowledge of P2P/Income systems and demonstrable accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchase to pay and e-invoicing experience.
* Good interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written
* Aptitude and willingness to work flexibly in multi skilled Operational Teams.
* Level of good competency using Microsoft office packages including, Outlook, Word and Excel
* Ability to interpret varied information for supporting continuous improvements in service delivery.
* Ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external customers, suppliers and partners.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees. More information can be found on https://www.workingforessex.com/benefits

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email or call us on 0333 013 5888. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 08:30 - 16:30.