Finance Assistant

Surrey County Council; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Woking is seeking a Finance Assistant to support the financial affairs of vulnerable adults. The role includes managing benefits claims and liaising with the DWP. This full-time position offers a starting salary of £30,647 per annum and provides an opportunity for hybrid working. Please apply by submitting a CV. The closing date for applications is 26/10/2025.

Benefits

26 days' holiday rising to 31 days

Option to buy additional annual leave

Local government pension scheme

Carer's leave and paid volunteering days

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in financial or numerical work is essential.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Experience working with other agencies and professionals is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support applications for Corporate Appointeeship with the DWP.
• Manage new benefit claims, reviews, and renewals.
• Act as the main point of contact with the DWP.

Skills

Knowledge of the social security benefits system

Strong communication skills

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Effective time management

Experience with financial or numerical information

Understanding of challenges faced by adults with additional support needs

Job description

• Location: Victoria Gate, Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 6JD

Description

We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council. We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all.

This full-time, permanent role has a starting salary of £30,647 per annum, based on a 36 hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a new Finance Assistant to join our fantastic Client Financial Affairs Team based in Woking.

This role is open to hybrid working and as a team we split our time between collaborating with colleagues in the office for two days per week and working from home. Your first few weeks in the role will be mainly office based so you can get to know your team and complete your training and induction.

Our Offer to You

• 26 days' holiday, 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
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
• A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents

About the Role

Are you looking for a role where your financial skills can directly improve the lives of vulnerable adults? Join our Client Financial Affairs Team, a frontline service within Adult Social Care, where we manage the finances of people who lack the capacity to do so themselves.

Based at Victoria Gate in Woking, our team supports around 750 individuals across Surrey and beyond. It's a fast-paced, varied environment where no two days are the same. If you thrive on making a real impact and enjoy working collaboratively, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

As a Finance Assistant, you'll play a key role in supporting people who need help managing their financial affairs. Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting applications to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for Corporate Appointeeship, and liaising with the DWP and other agencies to ensure benefits claims and changes are processed promptly.
• Managing new benefit claims, reviews, renewals, and appeals, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Identifying cases that require specialist benefits advice or additional support, and referring accordingly.
• Keeping up to date with changes in the Welfare Benefits System and applying this knowledge to your work.
• Acting as a main point of contact with the DWP, handling correspondence and recording outcomes.
• Assisting with opening bank accounts and managing benefit payments.
• Relinquishing Appointeeships when appropriate, as directed by the team.
• Providing support across the team during periods of absence.
• Always acting in the person's Best Interests, keeping them at the heart of every decision and interaction.

This role involves regular advocacy for individuals who lack mental capacity. You'll need to be proactive in following up claims and enquiries, and confident in handling potentially challenging conversations.

Your Application

In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours :

• Knowledge of the social security benefits system, with experience in financial or numerical work
• Strong communication and investigative skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, using initiative
• Effective time management and resilience in a busy, sometimes pressured environment
• Experience of working with other agencies and professionals
• An understanding of the challenges faced by adults with additional support needs

To apply, we request that you submit a CV and you will be asked the following 4 questions:

• Please tell us about a time you worked collaboratively with others to achieve a shared goal. How did you communicate effectively and contribute to the outcome?
• Please describe a situation where you had to manage competing priorities or work under pressure to meet a deadline. What approach did you take, and what was the result?
• Please tell us about any experience you have working with financial or numerical information. How did you ensure accuracy and apply this knowledge to support others or improve a process?
• What factors would you consider when making a benefit claim for a client who lacks capacity with their finances, and what challenges might you encounter?

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description & Our Life at Surrey handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 26/10/2025. Interviews will take place shortly after and will be held in person at our Woking Office.

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. Please contact Gemma Dixon by email at [e-mail] or phone [phone] or Helen Lucas at [e-mail] or 07816 265631.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

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

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to new unitary councils in April 2027. Your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of these new councils, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview.

Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.