Transactions Assistant Officer

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Corporate Services Group works closely with the Home Office’s policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department’s priorities. The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Communications, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Private Office, Security, Estates and Information.

We are looking for an individual to join the Finance Transactions Team to assist with the day-to-day management of the Finance Transaction Teams operations.

The Finance Transactions Team assist all areas of the Home Office with the Procure-to-Pay, (P2P) Processes from Quality Assurance of Requisitions, Third Party and Non-Third-Party supplier set ups, Urgent Payment Requests & General Enquires around these processes. Operating a Contact Centre within the team to respond to general queries by phone and email.

As a team we are ensuring the Home Office are compliant with Purchasing Policies for the supply of Goods & Services.

The aim is to facilitate self-service functionality through Home Office systems, whilst providing policy and guidance to support key financial transaction areas within P2P.

Job description

The purpose of the role is to ensure that you are working to support the long-term strategy of the purchase requisitioning workstream:

This role also requires the post holder to undertake or facilitate the processing of simple finance transactions; ensuring adherence to the relevant policies and processes; developing a deserved reputation for excellent customer service.

Key Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for the following key tasks:

Transaction processing

• Processing (compliant) or rejecting (non-compliant) transaction requests received within agreed KPIs.
• Providing advice and guidance to staff on completing a compliant transaction.
• Guidance and coaching of customers to enable them to operate self-service functionality effectively.
• First Point of contact for all customer enquiries via call centre and email enquiries.
• Dealing with work as allocated by the team leader, assisting colleagues where necessary and resolving queries from internal and external customers.

Monitoring and reporting performance

• Ensure all transactions are accurately recorded.
• Review personal performance against target.
• Identify areas for team and personal performance improvement.
• Assisting in the production of MI reports for management feedback.
• Ensuring adherence to all policies and processes.

Additional tasks

• The post holder will be expected to work across the team to support wider team objectives. To work closely with team colleagues and managers to fulfil any ad hoc activities.

The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities as expected in relation to the role and grade.

Working pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

Apprenticeship

This position includes completing a Level 3 Diploma in Accounting apprenticeship, which will typically be 15 months in total. The minimum duration on the programme before an apprentice can take the end-point assessment is 12 months. To be eligible, you must:

• Be 16 or older (no upper age limit).
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before starting.
• Not be in another apprenticeship or paid education.
• Work at least 30 hours per week. In exceptional circumstances, reduced hours (no less than 16 per week) may be accommodated.
• Not already hold a similar qualification at Level 3 or higher.

AAT Apprenticeship

As part of our commitment to your development, following successful recruitment and onboarding, you will be offered the chance to enrol onto our Level 3 AAT apprenticeship programme.

This apprenticeship offers you a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop Finance & Accountancy skills while operating in a Finance Transactions role. Following successful completion of the programme you will gain a nationally recognised qualification.

AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting - Level 3

The AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting - Level 3 covers accounting techniques and disciplines. Students will develop skills required for a range of financial processes, including maintaining cost accounting records, advanced bookkeeping and the preparation of financial reports and returns.

About the Apprenticeship

You must have five GCSEs grade 4-9 (old system A*-C),Including English and Maths.

You will spend approximately 20% of your time undertaking off-the-job learning activities, including face to-face workshops, digital courses, mentoring and job shadowing.

You will undertake an End-Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of the scheme, which you will need to pass in order to complete your apprenticeship.

You are qualified above AAT level 3 you would not be able to complete this apprenticeship role and therefore unable to apply for this position.

Training

The necessary training relating to the role will be provided.

Travel

Occasional travel may be required.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Excellent Customer Service.
• Good written/verbal communication.
• Works well within a team.
• Keen to learn and develop.
• Attention to detail.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to communicate and liaise effectively with clients.
• Experience of Oracle purchase requisitioning and/or Accounts Payable.

Qualifications

You must have five GCSEs grade 4-9 (old system A*-C),Including English and Maths.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
• See more of our benefits on our careers website.

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