Finance Assistant (Permanent) (Full-Time)

Job Description

Are you looking for a role where your work helps keep a whole organisation running smoothly behind the scenes? West Dunbartonshire Council is recruiting a motivated and curious Finance Assistant to join our Finance team. Resources is part of the internal support side of the Council. It’s not frontline - instead, it provides the essential behind the scenes functions that allow the organisation to operate legally, efficiently and effectively.

This role will support the finance professionals who partner specifically with Resources and People & Technology - two key Service areas responsible for the Council’s internal operations, workforce, systems and governance. Your work will support the Corporate Services teams to plan, monitor and understand their budgets, while ensuring financial processes are accurate, efficient and compliant. It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with numbers, takes a methodical and accurate approach, and is eager to learn and develop.

Why this role matters
Resources and People & Technology are central to how the Council functions. They look after everything from HR and payroll to ICT systems, digital transformation and internal governance. Strong financial support helps these services run effectively.
As a Finance Assistant, you’ll play a key role in providing that support. Your work will help ensure financial information is reliable, well managed and ready to support decision making. You’ll join a team that values curiosity, continuous improvement and the smart use of Microsoft tools to streamline processes and strengthen financial controls.

What you’ll be doing
• Support finance professionals who work with Resources and People & Technology
• Assist with budgeting, monitoring and financial planning
• Use financial systems (including Agresso) to analyse, interrogate and report financial information
• Help prepare annual accounts for the Council and partner bodies
• Assist with reconciliations
• Manage ad hoc requests for sales orders and payments
• Maintain financial records with a methodical, detail focused approach
• Assist with Trust and Community council grants
• Contribute to improving financial processes, controls and reporting
• Use Microsoft Excel, Teams, SharePoint and other digital tools to work efficiently and collaboratively
• Bring curiosity and fresh thinking to how we work, helping us continually improve

This is a varied role where accuracy, organisation and a willingness to learn will help you thrive.

What we’re looking for
We’re interested in people who bring:
• A positive, enthusiastic and reliable approach
• Strong organisational skills and a methodical way of working
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Confidence using Microsoft Excel and an interest in digital tools
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Curiosity, initiative and a desire to develop professionally
• Experience in budgeting or final accounts (or equivalent experience)
• A working knowledge of transactional finance processes, including accounts payable and receivable, would be advantageous

What you’ll gain
• Hands on experience across budgeting, financial planning and year end accounts
• Opportunities to develop your digital skills and explore Microsoft technologies
• Support from experienced finance professionals who want to see you grow
• The satisfaction of contributing to the financial stewardship of a major public organisation

If you enjoy improving processes, working with data and supporting internal teams, you’ll fit right in.

Requirements

The preferred candidate will be required to complete a Level 1 Disclosure check prior to a formal offer being made by West Dunbartonshire Council.

Responsibilities

The employment for which you are applying is excepted from the provisions of section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants are, therefore, not statutorily entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are "spent" under the provisions of the Act. In the event of employment any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action.

The Individual

WDC was voted one of the top ten flexible employers and prides itself in providing flexible working to support work life balance. In addition to this there are also additional benefits:

• Access to the Local Government pension scheme (LGPS) with an employer’s contribution of at least 19.3% and all associated benefits

• A minimum of 25 days annual leave, increasing a day each year up to 35 days as well as 8 fixed public holidays each year

• Access to employee wellbeing supports including occupational health & counselling if ever you need help and support

Now that you have read the role and what we have to offer, we would love to hear from you. Please use the application to tell us your experience, and why you are the candidate for this role.

For information about West Dunbartonshire Council please click on the following link and see why we are an employer of choice:

http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working-for-us/about-us/

More information on the benefits of working within West Dunbartonshire Council, can be found using the following link:

http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/jobs-and-training/working-for-us/benefits-of-working-with-us/