This role has a starting salary of £30,647 per annum for working 36 hours per week. We currently have two fixed-term positions available: one ending on 31 May 2026 and another ending on 31 March 2027.
We are excited to be recruiting two Finance Assistants to join our Children's Finance team based at Woodhatch Place in Reigate.
Our Business Support Finance team is offering a great opportunity for someone looking to develop their career in a supportive finance environment. If you have got excellent customer service skills, strong organisation, and some experience in administration and finance - we would love to hear from you!
Our team operates in a flexible, hybrid style with a combination of office and home working. We will ensure that you receive a full induction and training, with regular guidance, support and performance conversations with your Team Leader; we want you to feel confident and capable in your role.
Our Offer to You
26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
A generous local government salary related pension
Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residentsAbout the Team
The Children's Finance team provide co-ordinated and comprehensive financial support throughout the Directorate in accordance with Council and Directorate financial procedures. We are a transactional finance team who work collaboratively with team members to provide a high quality and efficient finance service. We help facilitate the Directorate's budget planning and monitoring activities to enable the delivery of cost-effective services to the communities we support.
About the Role
As a Finance Assistant, you will join the Children, Families and Lifelong Learning directorate within our dedicated Finance Team, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of financial services across Children's Services. Working closely with service managers, social care teams, schools, providers, and other partners, you will carry out a wide range of financial and administrative processes.
You will provide accurate financial information, guidance, and support to colleagues and stakeholders, managing enquiries promptly and in line with Council financial procedures and statutory requirements. This role requires strong attention to detail, excellent customer service, and an understanding of the sensitive nature of our work supporting children and families.
Your responsibilities will include maintaining robust financial processes, adhering to audit standards, and undertaking a variety of tasks essential to the smooth running of the finance function, including complex clerical and transactional duties. You will process financial transactions and data within agreed timescales, assist with the accountancy cycle, and use systems such as EYES, LIFT, Unit4, ContrOCC, and Excel.
Day-to-day activities will vary, so flexibility and responsiveness are key. You will work collaboratively to identify improvements, support consistency across the service, and contribute to a high-quality finance support function that helps deliver better outcomes for children and families.
Your Application
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
Excellent organisational, analytical and administrative skills, with experience in transactional finance or similar financial processes.
Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy across all financial data, records, and correspondence.
Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Word, Outlook, Excel, and MS Teams, with the ability to learn new finance systems such as Unit4, ContrOCC, LIFT, and EYES.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, showing professionalism, diplomacy, and the ability to communicate clearly with colleagues, families, and external partners.
Commitment to high‑quality customer service, supporting internal and external stakeholders in a timely and helpful manner.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a busy team, with experience supporting colleagues in a similar administrative or financial setting.
Understanding of confidentiality and data protection, particularly when handling sensitive information related to children and families.To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:
Describe your experience in providing excellent customer service.
Can you share an example of a time when you went above and beyond to meet someone's needs?
What is your understanding of confidentiality in a work setting?
Provide an example of how you ensured sensitive information was kept secure in a previous role.
Please outline your experience with administrative or financial tasks.
Why are attention to detail and strong organisational skills important in these tasks?
How do you prioritise tasks when you have multiple deadlines to meet?
A DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 14/01/2026 with interviews to follow.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs