FC - Finance Adviser (Benefits and Revenue)

Finance Adviser (Benefits and Revenue)

Service: Finance (Transactions)
Grade scale: Grade 4 Level 2-5
Reports to: Finance Manager (Benefits and Revenue)

Purpose of the job

To contribute to the operational management of Benefits and Revenues Services, with specific responsibility for financial management and revenue collection.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Responsibility for corporate revenue management issues, including development of corporate revenue systems and provision of advice to council Resources on revenue collection arrangements.

Responsible for Abstract of Accounts for Council Tax and Non Domestic Rates.

Strategic management of Cashiers Service, including development of Cash Collection function, Payments Call Centre and Income Management System.

Ensure appropriate financial management arrangements for all council revenue systems, including Council Tax, Non Domestic Rates, Sundry Debt and House Rent.

Responsible for the budget management of Central Revenue Services.

Monitor and report on Revenue Collection Performance targets.

Management of Scottish Water contract for revenue collection, including completion of appropriate returns and submission of management information in accordance with contract requirements.

Completion and submission of government financial returns for Council Tax, Non Domestic Rates and Benefit Subsidy Claims, in liaison with the Scottish Executive, Department for Work and Pensions and External Audit.

Person specification

Criteria

Essential

Desirable

Education, qualification and training

Demonstrate significant experience in a financial management role

Hold CCAB qualifications

Skills, knowledge, experience

Demonstrate thorough knowledge of financial management and financial accounting principles and procedures

Demonstrate analytical skills

Experience of using computerised financial systems

Excellent communication and presentational skills

Appropriate skills to access and deploy all corporate finance processes and policies.

Experience of budget monitoring and financial accounts processes in a revenues and benefits setting.

Experience of leading a team and /or complex projects

Experience in dealing with external partners and central government departments

Personal qualities

Demonstrate strong leadership experience

Self-motivated, enthusiastic and committed

To work in a flexible, adaptable manner and to always act with discretion and tact

Personal resilience and flexible attitude, able to manage own wellbeing

Inclusive and supportive team player

 

Other

To demonstrate behaviours consistent with honesty and openness: treating people consistently, fairly and with respect

 

Safer recruitment checks

As part of our approach to good practice and safer recruitment we carry out a number of pre-employment checks

  • Asylum and Immigration right to work in the UK.
  • Reference check: external candidates require 2 references, one of which must be from present or most recent employer; Internal candidates require 1 reference from current line manager.
  • Candidate Disclosure Scotland check, where applicable.

Behaviour framework

The council’s behaviour framework is a set of core behaviours that defines how employees approach work to enable the delivery of key tasks for the role. The expected behaviours for this role are:

Efficient

  • Use initiative and drive to improve and develop systems and processes to increase efficiency achieving better outcomes in service delivery.
  • Suggests ways to improve how others organise their own work.
  • As a manager or professional/expert you actively seek solutions to deliver improvements and involves others in the development of solutions and improvements.
  • Agrees SMART objectives for both team and individual employees reviewing progress to achieve successful outcomes.
  • Manage budgets with no overspends and applying the Council’s financial policies and procedures.
  • Ensures sustainability and environmental awareness practices are being implemented and that they inform the development of new projects/initiatives.

Flexible

  • Anticipates and responds flexibly to changing priorities and modifies practice to meet changing environment.
  • Identifies and implements new ways of working.
  • Supports individuals and team at times of both organisational and personal change making appropriate adjustments to accommodate individual needs where required.
  • Expresses a positive approach to change and promotes the benefits of change to team and colleagues.
  • Actively listens to customer feedback and takes action to improve customer experience.

Performing

  • Use professional expertise and knowledge to ensure the Council is leading best practice to improve outcomes.
  • Ensure that the council is meeting it’s legislative and statutory requirements by keeping abreast of new initiatives and legislation.
  • Evaluates and reviews the impact of service improvements from the customers perspective.
  • Identifies trends and creates solutions.
  • Ensuring that health and safety practices, policies and procedures are applied keeping employees and customers safe and minimising workplace accidents and injuries.
  • Implements the council’s maximising attendance policy and procedure ensuring action is taken and recorded on people connect.
  • Considers risk in the context of service development and delivery.

Working with others

  • Promotes a positive team environment with good morale.
  • Works with other teams and colleagues internally and externally, developing relationships and sharing knowledge, ideas and expertise to achieve outcomes.
  • Provide objective and constructive advice and support if tensions arise.
  • Shares knowledge with internal and external colleagues to achieve common objectives.
  • Giving praise and recognition for good work.
  • Use professional identity and expert knowledge to work across disciplines breaking down professional barriers to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.
  • Encourages colleagues to consider different perspectives in their work.
  • Adapts communication to encourage desired behaviour.

Leading

  • Understands what needs to be achieved and ensures that this is communicated to team members.
  • Expresses positive expectations of others to support their development.
  • Recognise individual and team achievements thanking and praising others.
  • Maintain a positive approach and motivate team when things go wrong or demands are high.
  • You identify talent and provide opportunities for those individuals who wish to progress or learn new skills.
  • Takes responsibility for personal and team development needs taking account of learning styles and available learning/training methods of delivery.
  • Uses professional judgement/expert knowledge to make informed decisions.