Early Education Finance Officer

Hurst Green; Brierley Hill; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Dudley Council's Integrated Early Years Service is seeking an Early Education Finance Officer to administer and monitor Early Education Funding (EEF) to support national expansion. The role is office-based with agile working, on a 37-hour week under a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave.

You will process payments, support compliance, advise providers, and prepare financial reports while maintaining auditable records. An enhanced DBS check is required.

Qualifications

• Finance or accountancy experience, including preparing reports for senior managers.
• Experience maintaining auditable financial records.
• Knowledge of financial regulations, data protection, UK GDPR and audit requirements.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently in a small team.
• Understanding of the early years/childcare sector.

Responsibilities

• Process accurate, timely payments for eligible children and funding.
• Support provider compliance with statutory guidance and contracts.
• Advise providers on online portals, termly headcounts and funding requests.
• Explain early years entitlements to parents and carers via the service helpline.
• Prepare financial reports, maintain auditable records and support provider audits.

Skills

Finance experience

Auditable records

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Office software

Tools

Finance software

Databases

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Cable Plaza

Children's Services - Integrated Early Years Service

Contract: Full-time, 37 hours per week | 12-month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave.

Location: Agile and office-based working

The Integrated Early Years Service is seeking an Early Education Finance Officer to join our small team to administer and monitor Early Education Funding (EEF) to support and deliver continuing national expansion.

What you will do

• Process accurate, timely payments for eligible children aged nine months to four years, including Early Years Pupil Premium, Disability Access Fund and Early Years Inclusion Fund.
• Support provider compliance with statutory guidance, the Dudley Code of Practice and Provider Agreement.
• Advise providers on the online portal, termly headcounts and funding requests.
• Explain early years entitlements to parents and carers through the service helpline.
• Prepare financial reports, maintain auditable records and support provider audits.

What we are looking for

• Finance or accountancy experience, including preparing reports for senior managers.
• Experience of maintaining effective, auditable financial and record-keeping systems.
• Knowledge of financial regulations, data protection, information security, UK GDPR and audit requirements.
• Confidence using finance software, databases and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication, customer service and organisational skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work independently or within a small, fast-paced team.
• An understanding of the early years and childcare sector.

Additional information

This public-facing role includes contact with providers and schools and may involve audit visits. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is required.

Workplace Attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata)

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.

Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.

Dudley Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness. The Council will check, share and cross match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so.

N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications