Part Time Finance Assistant - Deputyships

About the role

Part Time Finance Assistant - Deputyships

Fixed Term, Part Time

£25,081 to £26,679 Per Annum, Full Time Equivalent

Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: Monday 19th May 2025 at 11.59pm

Please note that this is a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment opportunity for a period of 12 months and is a part time role, offering 18.5 hours per week (0.5 FTE), which will be worked across the following working pattern:

Monday’s: 9am till 1pm – based in the office in Chelmsford.
Tuesday’s: 9am till 12.30pm – working remotely if desired.
Wednesday’s: 9am till 12.30pm – working remotely if desired.
Thursday’s: 9am till 1pm – based in the office in Chelmsford.
Friday’s: 9am till 12.30pm – working remotely if desired.

This position has been classed as an anywhere worker role but has an expectation that the successful candidate will attend the office, in Chelmsford, 2 day per week (Monday and Thursday), with the remaining time allowing for remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s needs.

Interview date: Thursday 5th June 2025. Interviews will be held in County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, Essex. CM1 1QH.

To read more about our business area, please visit: Corporate Services and Transformation

The Opportunity

Essex County Council (ECC) has a vision to make our county a place which provides the best possible quality of life for all who live and work here. One of the key priorities is the protection of vulnerable adults. The deputyship team performs an innovative, exceptional, positive role in achieving this priority.

The Deputyship Team is appointed by The Court of Protection to protect and support the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in the County. Managing all aspects of the property and financial affairs of un-befriended people, who do not have the mental capacity to manage and safeguard their own financial affairs. The Finance Assistant will support the Deputyship Team and their clients to ensure the delivery of a high performing, client facing financial service which proactively embraces change.

Providing quality and accurate financial information, advice, analysis and interpretation to staff and clients, to underpin effective decision making, meaningful performance management and meet statutory requirements. Aspiring to achieve good client satisfaction levels, to make a real and demonstrable difference to the delivery of Essex Legal Services, the Deputyship Team and the business of our clients.

Accountabilities

Provide accurate, quality and timely financial support and management information to the Deputyship Team and its clients to support and inform decision making.
Understand client needs and provide them with a service they value, driving the delivery of productivity and efficiency improvement.
Support senior colleagues in the delivery of all aspects of financial work, including financial processing of payments, receipts, initiating and monitoring automated payments and invoices for fees.
Responsible for prioritising focus on critical activities and to develop clear actionable schedules or priorities with minimal supervision to enable the tasks to be carried out accurately and within a time critical matter.
Develops good working relationships across the Service and the Council; to understand the impact the work of the Deputyship Team has on the organisation and the external social and political factors.
Work collaboratively across the service to contribute to the development of current and future business opportunities, to further the vision of Essex Legal Services.

The Experience You Will Bring

Essential:

Previous experience of accurate data input to meet tight timescales while maintaining high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
Previous experience of financial monitoring with good analytical skills and the ability to find solutions to problems and explain them clearly.
Educated to RQF level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience.
Good verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable:

Ability to develop skills and knowledge within role.
Experience and practical application of MS Office suite of programmes and databases.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

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

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email daniel.warner@essex.gov.uk

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Part Time Finance Assistant – Deputyships