Finance & Funding Officer

Surrey County Council; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A government authority in Taunton is hiring a Finance & Funding Officer to support financial and funding operations for adult education services. The role includes managing financial processes, ensuring compliance with regulations, and resolving pay queries. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and experience in budgeting and financial analysis. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

26 days' holiday (pro rata)

Employee Assistance Programme

Local government salary related pension

Lifestyle discounts

Paid volunteering days

Qualifications

• Ability to organise, analyse and present data to support recommendations.
• Experience of budgeting, commitment accounting and financial forecasting.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing financial processes and exploring funding opportunities.
• Support staff in resolving pay queries.
• Ensure compliance with financial and funding regulations.

Skills

Organising financial data

Analysing financial information

Budgeting experience

Managing business systems

Communication skills

Education

NVQ level 4 in management, business or finance

Job description

• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: 21.6 hours per week
• Posted on: 13 August 2025
• Closing date: 31 August 2025

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 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:

• 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?
• Tell us about your experience with budgeting, commitment accounting and financial forecasting. How have you applied accountancy principles in your previous roles?
• 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?
• 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.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 29th August with interviews planned for early 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!

The Surrey Way behaviours are a guide that supports our council to work together effectively and deliver our best for our customers and communities, and for each other. Discover more about ourbehaviours .

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description.Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.