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Dear Applicant

RE: Income Assistant Post Ref: 2002

Thank you for your interest in the above post. Please find enclosed in this application pack the following documents:

  • Application Form and Guidance Notes
  • Job Description
  • Person Specification
  • Structure Chart
  • Service Overview

Application Form:

The application form plays a key part in our selection process. We use the information you provide to shortlist for interview.

You are urged to ensure that all the information contained in your application is relevant and that you demonstrate how you meet the criteria on the person specification. Please use the person specification for guidance when filling in the application form.

References: If successful at interview, Ipswich Borough Council will seek to obtain two employment references. Wherever possible the name of your first referee must be from current employment/education and the second from either current or former employment/education. If you cannot provide an “employment” reference please contact the HR Team at Ipswich Borough Council for further assistance.

If you have any recruitment queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01473 433402. Please leave your name, number and brief details of your question and a member of the recruitment team will call you back.

Ipswich Borough Council

Job Description: E25

Income Assistant

Main Purpose of Job

Responsibility to reconcile and accurately process all income received directly into the Council’s two income based bank accounts, ensuring it is correctly allocated and reconciled.

Main Duties

  1. Access the bank/Girobank software systems to download bank files on a daily basis, making use of the PARIS Electronic File Import system. Communicate with bank regarding any queries..
  2. Investigate and allocate unidentified transactions received in the Council’s bank account via PARIS EFI system. This will involve accessing a number of corporate systems (Rents, Local Tax, Debtors etc) liaising with service areas, undertaking research and contacting business customers via telephone, email etc.
  3. Assist customers who are having problems using the automated payment system.
  4. Contribute to system development and implementation, and provide system training for users.
  5. Produce statistics, develop and maintain spreadsheets.
  6. Monthly reconciliation of total income from PARIS and bank accounts to Council’s financial system and cash banked.
  7. Check postal remittances for signatures, reference numbers and process cheques and prepare for banking.

Such variations as may be required from time to time without changing the general character of the duties shown above or the level of responsibility entailed.

/ Ipswich Borough Council
Person Specification
Income Assistant
E25
ATTRIBUTES / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE / METHOD OF ASSESMENT
Qualifications / 1 A Level or 5 GCSEs which include English & Maths or NVQ Level 3 qualification demonstrating literacy and numeracy or experience of working within a financial environment. / Finance related qualifications such as Association of Accounting Technician (AAT). / Application
Work related experience / Experience of workingwithin financial environment / Experience of working in a Local Authority
Experience of working in banking and income environment / Application and Interview
Other relevant experience / Experience of working in a customer facing role
Experience of keeping detailed & accurate computerised records / Application and Interview
Specialist knowledge / Working Knowledge of Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook (or similar applications)
Use of a computerized system as a means of recording & providing information
Awareness of the need for confidentiality / Knowledge/Experience of Agresso financial system
Knowledge/Experience of PARIS income system / Application and Interview
Job Skills / Good numeracy, literacy and keyboard skills
Ability to agree & meet daily targets
Able to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing / Application and Interview
Personal skills / Excellent Customer Care skills and the ability to communicate well with people of all levels
Deal with other people in a respectful and positive manner at all times
Ability to work with minimum supervision and under pressure / Used to working in a small busy team / Application and Interview
Special Working Conditions / Flexibility to cover morning hours on occasions / Application and Interview

Ipswich Borough Council

Finance and Procurement Services

The Finance and Procurement Services Group is part of Finance & Revenues.The Finance and Procurement Service plays a critical role in managing and developing the organisation, having both statutory and support roles. The service is involved with and supports staff at all levels, councillors and external stakeholders

The service covers many functions, which are briefly discussed below:

S151 Function

Ensures that the Council complies with all statutory financial requirements.

Income Collection

Monitors and allocates all income to the Council

Debtors

Issues invoices for services provided and collects the debts (includes debt recovery service).

Procurement Team

Provides a corporate resource to promote and enforce best practise, carry out procurement exercises, manage and promote usage of Suffolk Sourcing (an online e-tendering and contract management system).

Creditors

Pay all invoices received by the Council, manage and promote usage of the Government Procurement Card.

Systems Team

Manage the Council’s central financial systems, provide regular financial reports and train users.

Treasury Management

Ensure that there is always a positive cash-flow by borrowing or investing, to ensure that all bills can be paid and the maximum income is safely derived from investments.

Banking

Manage and arrange the Council’s banking contract.

Insurance

Arrange and manage the Council’s insurance contracts and claims.

Compliance

Production of the Annual Statement of Accounts, liaison with external audit, completion of VAT and other tax returns, completion of statutory returns e.g. Whole of Government Accounts.

Service Accounting

Financial and business support and advice to Heads of Service and Operational Managers.

Budgeting

Plan and manage the annual process culminating in the production of the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Strategic Financial Advice

Provision of strategic advice in response to issues raised and also proactively promote new strategies.

Staff that work in Finance and Procurement have to be highly adaptable and willing to form and reform groups to deliver specific projects. The achievement of appropriate professional or technical qualifications are actively encouraged, to promote service continuity and progression planning.