Senior Finance Assistant (2 Posts)

Senior Finance Assistant (Grade 8) – Transactional Accounting

Transactional Accounting manages the Council's key income and expenditure streams and provides an essential financial control function that supports the effective stewardship of public funds. As part of the Finance Improvement Programme, the service has undergone significant transformation and implemented a new operating model designed to simplify, standardise and automate processes, improve resilience and strengthen service delivery across the Council.

We are seeking experienced and motivated colleagues to fill two Senior Finance Assistant vacancies within Transactional Accounting: one in the Early Years Contracting and Compliance team and one in the Accounts Receivable and Banking team. Both roles will play an important part in supporting the delivery and continued embedding of the new operating model.

Early Years Contracting and Compliance: The team supports the delivery of funded childcare across Derbyshire. Its work includes issuing and managing provider contracts, undertaking funding claim and compliance audits, checking adherence to statutory guidance and local requirements, supporting providers with the Early Years Funding Portal, contributing to accurate census returns and data reporting, and helping to resolve funding, overpayment and provider queries.

Accounts Receivable and Banking: The team is responsible for ensuring income due to the Council is billed, received and accounted for accurately. Its work includes raising customer invoices, processing and allocating receipts to customer accounts and the general ledger, monitoring outstanding balances, supporting the follow-up of overdue income, processing digital bank statements, and undertaking banking and verification activities to maintain complete and accurate financial records.

As a Senior Finance Assistant, you will undertake a range of specialist transactional finance activities, ensuring transactions are processed accurately, efficiently and in accordance with financial regulations, policies and procedures. You will act as a key point of contact for complex queries, provide support and guidance to colleagues, and help maintain high standards of customer service across the function.

The role will support the continued development of consistent processes and ways of working across Transactional Accounting, helping to ensure the benefits of the new operating model are fully realised. You will be expected to identify opportunities for improvement, contribute to service development initiatives and support the implementation of process and system changes.

Transactional Accounting predominantly operates through SAP, Mosaic and Synergy, alongside a range of other integrated third-party systems. The successful candidates will develop and maintain strong technical knowledge, supporting the effective use of systems and ensuring the accurate processing of financial transactions.

This is an excellent opportunity for colleagues looking to further develop their knowledge and experience within Transactional Accounting and contribute to the ongoing success of the newly established operating model. We are looking for individuals who are proactive, customer-focused and committed to delivering high-quality outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Process and review financial transactions accurately and in a timely manner.
• Investigate and resolve complex customer, supplier and stakeholder queries.
• Provide support and guidance to colleagues on transactional finance processes and procedures.
• Maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation.
• Ensure governance and compliance with Financial Regulations, the Care Act, Statutory Regulations, internal controls and agreed procedures.
• Support the delivery of service standards and performance targets.
• Contribute to the embedding of the new Transactional Accounting operating model and associated processes.
• Identify and support opportunities for continuous improvement and increased efficiency.
• Build effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the Council.

What We Are Looking For

• Experience working within a transactional finance environment.
• Good understanding of financial processes, controls and customer service principles.
• Experience of investigating and resolving complex queries.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Experience of SAP, Mosaic, Synergy or similar financial systems would be advantageous.
• A positive and flexible approach to change and continuous improvement.

Selection Process

Candidates will be invited to attend a formal interview where they will be assessed against the requirements of the role, including their technical knowledge, experience within transactional finance, customer focus, problem-solving ability and their contribution to supporting and embedding the new Transactional Accounting operating model.

Provisional Interview Date: 26 October 2026

Due to this post having administrative privileges within the Council’s IT systems, and in order to comply with the Public Services Network requirements, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic criminal record check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.