Finance and Funding Officer

Surrey County Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Finance & Funding Officer to manage financial processes and assist in funding operations for adult education. This pivotal role supports strategic planning and ensures compliance with funding regulations. Ideal candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience in budgeting and financial analysis. The position offers flexible working options and competitive benefits.

Benefits

26 days' holiday

Option to buy additional leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous pension scheme

Lifestyle discounts

Qualifications

• NVQ level 4 in management, business, or finance or significant financial experience.
• Ability to present financial data effectively.
• Experience in budgeting and commitment accounting.

Responsibilities

• Support financial processes and explore new funding opportunities.
• Assist in strategic planning and compliance with funding regulations.
• Help staff resolve pay queries.

Skills

Organising data

Analysing information

Building relationships

Budgeting

Financial forecasting

Education

Relevant qualification to at least NVQ level 4

Job description

This role has a starting salary of 22,123 per annum (pro rata to 36,873 FTE), working 21.6 hours per week.

We are hiring a new Finance & Funding Officer to join Surrey Adult Learning. This is a pivotal role supporting the financial & funding operations of a dynamic adult education service that delivers over 800 courses across seven centres and online platforms.

The team is based at Woking Adult Learning Centre although there is the option to work flexibly at another office or home for part of the week.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer\'s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

Surrey Adult Learning is a leading provider of diverse daytime, evening and Saturday courses and learning opportunities for adults. We offer a wide range of qualification courses, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), maths and digital skills. Our courses also cater to individuals with learning disabilities, mental health conditions and parents/carers seeking to upskill to support their children. Additionally, we provide courses for personal development in various subjects such as arts and crafts, languages and exercise. Our outreach provision is designed to assist those currently facing life challenges.

About the Role

You will assist the Head of Business Finance & IT in managing financial processes, analysing SAL\'s financial position and exploring new funding opportunities. Your work will directly support strategic planning and ensure compliance with Surrey County Council, financial and funding regulations. You will also support staff across the service by assisting in resolving pay queries.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Relevant management, business or financial qualification to at least NVQ level 4 or significant financial experience.
• Ability to organise, analyse and present date and information to support recommendations or highlight issues.
• Experience of budgeting, commitment accounting, financial forecasting plus an overall awareness of accountancy principles.
• Experience of planning, developing and managing business systems and processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with staff at all levels of the organisation.

As part of the application process you will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following application questions:

1. Give an example of a time when you organised, analysed and presented financial data to support a recommendation or highlight a key issue. What was the outcome?
2. Tell us about your experience with budgeting, commitment accounting and financial forecasting. How have you applied accountancy principles in your previous roles?
3. Describe how you\'ve planned, developed or managed business systems and processes. How did you ensure effective collaboration and maintain good working relationships across different levels of an organisation?
4. How have you supported strategic planning or ensured compliance with financial or funding regulations in your previous roles?

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our learners and expect all staff to share this commitment. A DBS \'Disclosure and Barring Service\' check is required for this role and will be discussed further at interview. Online searches may be carried out on applicants who are shortlisted for interview.

Contact us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

For an informal discussion please contact Clive Banks by e-mail () or telephone at (phone number removed).

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 21st September 2025.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council

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