Finance Assistant

**FINANCE ASSISTANT**

**£26,713 35 hours - Monday to Friday**
- **(Agile working & Flexitime system in operation between 07:00 -19:00)**

**Important Dates**:
**Applications deadline: 12 noon on MONDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2024**

**You should be available for interview: MONDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2024**

DAMHA is the largest almshouse charity in the UK, providing over 1,700 affordable bungalows, for more than 2,000 residents, across former mining communities in County Durham and the North-East.

Our housing stock also includes two sheltered schemes providing independent living accommodation, Rutherford House is a 35-bed scheme based in Peterlee and Bulmer House is a 27-bed scheme based in South Shields.

Following a recent In-Depth Assessment, the Regulator of Social Housing confirmed we achieved a G1/V1 rating.

The Association is based on an ethos of care, with a strong focus on participation and involvement at all levels. We are looking for someone of the highest calibre who can help guide the association forward while recognising and appreciating its history, traditions, and values.

The Association is distinctive, different, and successful. We pride ourselves with having an enthusiastic and committed workforce and have developed a fantastic relationship with our residents and the communities we serve.

**JOB PURPOSE**

Income - To assist with the effective and timely production of the client accounts and generally contribute to the smooth running of a busy finance office.

Expenditure - To assist in the processing and payment of all invoices payable by the Association.

**SPECIFIC DUTIES OF THE POST**:
1. Responsibility for processing and payment of client accounts, including the posting of Rents, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit Invoices & Payments.

2. Responsibility for Cashbooks and completion of Cashbook Reconciliations.

3. To assist with the preparation of information for DAMHA’s Accounts, Budgets, Published Accounts as required by the Finance Manager.

4. To assist with the completion of the Rent Reconciliations as required by the Finance Manager.

5. To input entitlements data (Housing Benefit and Supporting People Universal Credit rates) into the Housing Management system to deliver extra information on breakdown of residents’ weekly charges.

6. To assist in the review of rent overpayments.

7. Responsible for the processing and payment of all invoices payable by the Association.

8. To provide cover as required for other finance team members.

9. To undertake any other duties and/or training as may be reasonably required, and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility for the job.

**Skills**
- Accurate, numerate with excellent bookkeeping skills
- Ability to work methodically, accurately and timely
- Ability to deal with issues sensitively and confidentially
- Proven communication skills including ability to deal with residents face-to-face and via the telephone.
- Use of computer based information systems inc word, excel, outlook
- Ability to prioritise competing workloads
- Problem solving
- High level of technical ability

Knowledge of computerised financial packages
- Knowledge of Homemaster Housing Association software

**Knowledge/Qualification**
- Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity Issues
- A solid grasp of English & Maths
- GCSE in Maths & English

**Experience**
- Working within financial environment
- Experience of working with cash books and accounts ledgers
- Dealing with the public
- Provision of customer orientated service
- Computer literate
- Able to deal with challenging situations.
- Experience & knowledge of Housing Association finance
- Working with external agencies

**Personal Qualities**
- Be efficient and proactive
- A commitment to social housing and customer focus
- A commitment to equal opportunities in service delivery
- Empathy and sensitivity when dealing with residents
- Ability to work as part of a small team with minimum supervision
- Confidentiality

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £26,713.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Canteen
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Flexitime
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Work from home

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 28/10/2024
Reference ID: FA1024