Finance Assistant

BSNI are working with Newry Mourne and Down District Council to recruit a Finance Assistant. This role is temporary.

Job title
Finance Assistant – Financial
Employment type
Temporary
Number of people required
1
Target start date
19 Oct 2026
Target end date
13 Dec 2026
Duration
8 Weeks

Hours per week
36

Rate
PAYE: £16.26 per hour

Job location
Downshire Civic Centre, Ardglass Road, Downpatrick, Newry, Mourne and Down, BT30 6GQ, United Kingdom

In light of the on-going Reform of Local Government and the establishment of the new Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, it is expected that role will evolve and transform with on-going changes. The post holder will therefore be expected to be flexible and adaptable to meet the changing needs and requirements of the organisation, and duties and responsibilities may vary without changing the purpose of the job or level of responsibility.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POST

The post holder will report to and support the Finance Supervisor, to provide a comprehensive and efficient financial service across the area of work, which meets the needs of the Council, regulatory authorities and statutory agencies. Undertake the efficient operation of either the Council�s Accounts Payable and / or Receivable functions (as required by the Finance Supervisor). Initiate electronic and manual payments up to the stage of having them for authorisation by the Supervisor. Finance Assistant Job Description

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial responsibilities
1. Provide accurate, timely and relevant financial reports as required.
2. Data input to, retrieval from a range of Management Information Systems, as required, for example Sun, Vision, Kontrolla etc.
3. Assist the Financial Supervisor in the provision of advice, with external assistance if required on various financial matters.
4. Ensure that all transactions within the relevant section are processed in accordance with Council Policy and Audit Regulations.
5. Ensure codes on invoices received and payable are accurate and reflect the Council�s accounting structure.
6. Liaise with and provide advice to external and internal stakeholders in relation to the area of responsibility as appropriate, for example Customers, Suppliers, Contractors, Purchasing department and internal staff etc. Provide information to auditors as appropriate.
7. Responsible for updating and reviewing suppliers, customers and client details for internal and external stakeholders.
8. Raise nominal ledger journals as required.
9. Maintain systems and records to ensure the efficient fulfilment of the function and provision of appropriate audit trails.
10.Provide training and mentoring to new staff to the section and supervise designated temporary staff and/or volunteers/students as required.
11.Verify annual stock takes of allocated departments.
12.Issue to Credit Notes where appropriate.
13.Responsible for cash intake and issuing of manual and computer receipts, including visa card transactions.
14.Update cash/receipts data to computer and reconcile input data to computer output.
15.Responsible for applying and posting of nominal ledger coding to daily receipts.Maintain Bank Lodgement files, preparation of bank lodgements, including monies from Council departments, summarising receipts and preparing analysis of income. Administrative responsibilities
16.Deal with telephone calls, desk enquiries, screen and redirect callers as necessary.
17.Handle incoming and outgoing mail: date stamping, recording, distributing and filing.
18.Maintain stationery and other supplies for the Office.
19.Responsible for maintenance of adequate manual and electronic filing systems.

Service Delivery and Performance
20.Provide administrative support in the finance section, in the area of responsibility as allocated by the Finance Supervisor and be accountable to the Finance Supervisor for the effective development and delivery of the relevant area of responsibility:- Accounts Payable
? Administer the Accounts Payable system to include registration and preliminary coding, matching, processing and payment of suppliers� invoices, answering queries from suppliers and reconciling accounts paid.
? Review / maintain Purchase Ledger for supplier details, turnover, outstanding invoices etc., dealing with customers as required.
? Preparation of payment run and creation of BACS, cheque payments and Payment Listing reports for Council.
? Responsible for all creditor payments for both Revenue and Capital spend, in line with Council Policy and Audit regulations.
? Responsible for ensuring the calculation and payment of Councillors and Officials subsistence and attendance payments.
? Responsible for the administration of the Tax Construction Industry Scheme (C.I.S).
? Ensure that declarations regarding mobile phone accounts are sent to Councillors and Officials and details forwarded to Payroll for deductions.
? Prepare listings of Trade Creditors and Accruals at end of month and financial year end. ? Responsible for the operation of BACS, Imprest and Manual Payment System and the reconciliation of the Imprest Bank Account and Imprest Petty Cash Account.
? Responsible for the reconciliation and vouching of Corporate Credit Cards, Purchasing Cards and Council Loans (Payable). OR Accounts Receivable
? Responsible for maintenance of accurate and timely computerised debtors ledger, ensuring appropriate follow up in line Council policy and Audit regulations.
? Responsible for maintenance and accuracy of bank lodgement files and reconciliation of returns from various centres, providing assistance when required in preparation of same.
? Responsible for reconciliation and vouching of bank accounts, Council Loans (receivable), Bank/Cash controls, as appropriate and reconciliation to nominal ledger accounts.
? Responsible for administering Credit account applications. ? Analyse income received and allocate to appropriate cost centres together with appropriate VAT classification.
? Responsible for calculation of Principle and Interest on S.D.A Mortgage accounts and appropriate follow up action as applicable.
? Responsible for maintenance and updating of Rents receivable register for Council properties with regard to lease renewals/changes and rental increases.
? Responsible for administering and calculating Running Costs for various Community Associations on Quarterly basis.
? Review with Bank weekly Euro Currency rate for use by Council and distribute same to relevant departments.
? Provide cover in the Trade Waste area as required, for example lifting direct debits.
? Responsible for making recommendations to the Finance Supervisor in relation to bad debts and administration of same; including processing through the Small Claims Court and Enforcement of Judgements Office paperwork and referring debts above small claims threshold to legal services and Council solicitors as required.
? Prepare listings of Debtors and Pre-payments at end of month and financial year end.
? Responsible for reconciliation of Landfill Site Commercial Sales for Landfill Tax return.
? Preparation of claim forms for funding, for example GRO etc. General
21.Carry out duties for all jobs up to and including those in the grade/scale set for this post provided such duties are deemed to be within the area of work.
22.Carry out duties in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Order 1978 (as amended); Acts of Parliament; Statutory Instruments and Regulations and other legal requirements; and all Council Policies and Procedures including Dignity at Work, Health and Safety, Attendance and all relevant Codes of Conduct.
23.Complete all documentation associated with the duties of