Job overview
The role of Junior Accountancy Assistant involves performing daily cash allocation and bank reconciliations, monthly control account reconciliations, statutory and voluntary payovers, VAT recovery, and income sheet posting and banking duties under the supervision of the Team Leader.
The postholder will require excellent keyboard skills where speed and accuracy are essential and have to undertake significant data input duties. A high proportion of the day is spent using computer applications, extracting, analysing, manipulating and interpreting information, creating and developing spreadsheets for use within the department. Concentration will be required when completing financial reconciliations.
The post holder will be expected to manage, plan and organise his / her own workload, performance will be reviewed by line managers at agreed intervals not on a daily basis. The post holder will have supervision in all aspects of work, but will be expected to use his/her initiative to identify solutions to any problems arising and communicate solutions effectively, escalating issues to his/her line manager as appropriate.
Main duties of the job
Complete the reconciliation and clearance of nominated balance sheet (control) accounts including bank reconciliation, with supervision, by identifying, investigating, interpreting and resolving complex financial queries, thereby ensuring accurate financial records and reporting are maintained in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLA) timetables and agreed procedures. Liaise with client organisations staff (verbally and via electronic communication) providing necessary information to ensure the resolution of any discrepancies.
Input of financial ledger corrections and transactions (journals) to the computerised General Ledger systems in accordance with SLA timetables and procedures.
Ensure all income in respect of client organisations is receipted and banked promptly. Specifically, this requires and involves: liaising, organizing, communicating and planning with client finance departments, security companies, and GBS and commercial banks issues surrounding the banking of all income to Clients.
Assist with the review of unclaimed VAT for client organisations
Working for our organisation
ELFS Business Services was established on the 1st April 2002 and is now in its 21st year of operation providing business shared services to NHS client organisations. We have a highly motivated workforce dedicated to providing high standard shared services excellence. We also have a reputation for developing excellent client relationships based on service satisfaction and high quality delivery.
You will be a part of Technical Accounts team which currently has 18 members and is responsible for providing financial accounting services (balance sheet reconciliations, VAT, capital, charitable funds) to the client organisations. The team provides a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience for future qualified accountants and you will receive support if you study towards a professional accountancy qualification. You will be working at a fast pace and to strict deadlines and therefore good organisational and multitasking skills as well as strong work ethics are essential. Our friendly team colleagues will make you feel welcomed and provide plenty of on the job training to ensure you are confident in the assigned tasks.
We offer a hybrid working model - a mixture of office and home working with a minimum of 2 days a week in the office subject to annual review. The initial training period (minimum 3 months) is office based.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Complete the reconciliation and clearance of nominated balance sheet (control) accounts with supervision by identifying, investigating, interpreting and resolving complex financial queries, thereby ensuring accurate financial records and reporting are maintained in accordance with Service Level Agreements (SLA) timetables and agreed procedures. Liaise with client organisations staff (verbally and via electronic communication) providing necessary information to ensure the resolution of any discrepancies
Completion of daily cash allocation and bank reconciliation for a nominated client(s) ensuring that all payments received are analysed and correctly allocated to the customer invoices or general ledger codes. Ensuring that bank reconciliations are balanced and any queries cleared in a timely manner
Assist with the management of recharge accounts, ensure prompt, accurate reconciliation and timely clearance via invoice requests to Credit Controller in order to maximise client income. Liaise with client organisations to resolve reconciliation queries
Assist with the completion of client organisations Annual Statutory Accounts in line with the Department of Health requirements and liaise with External Auditors providing additional information when requested
Input of financial ledger corrections and transactions (journals) to the computerised General Ledger systems in accordance with SLA timetables and procedures
Input information relating to income received into the financial ledgers, including charitable funds, ensuring income relating to debtors is correctly allocated to customer accounts, dealing with subsequent enquiries from other NHS bodies and members of the public
Ensure all income in respect of client organisations is receipted and banked promptly. Specifically, this requires and involves: liaising, organizing, communicating and planning with client finance departments, security companies, and GBS and commercial banks issues surrounding the banking of all income to Clients
Assist with the review of unclaimed VAT for client organisations (VAT club). Attend VAT meetings as required to maintain up to date knowledge of NHS VAT regulations
Assist with the provision of complex financial information to the Internal Auditors to assist with periodic reviews required by client organisations.
Contribute to the overall effectiveness of the team and the whole of ELFS
Assist in the deployment of technologies/systems/services to ELFS employees and Client organisations
Maintain an effective working relationship with other members of the department, other employees within the Trust and external organisations to deliver a professional service focused on achieving a high level of customer satisfaction
Adhere to the Host organisations Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and Host Trusts policies and procedures.
Participate in any associated training in order to enhance knowledge and skills
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
1. AAT intermediate, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
2. Experience of computerised financial systems
3. Able to communicate with client organisations, outside agencies and the general public in a courteous and dignified manner
4. Able to use own initiative and to work to tight deadlines
Desirable criteria
5. Knowledge of Microsoft office applications
6. Experience of control account reconciliations
7. Awareness of NHS finance policies and procedure