Finance Officer

Gateshead Council; Gateshead; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary & pension

Flexible & hybrid working

Health & wellbeing support

Cycle to work

Job summary

Gateshead Council is seeking a Finance Officer to join the Exchequer team, delivering high-quality financial support and maintaining accurate systems and records.

You will help provide financial and statistical information, supervise staff, and contribute to improving processes in a supportive, collaborative environment. A strong finance background and experience with Excel are essential.

Qualifications

• 4 GCSE passes at Grade 4/C or above (Maths and English).
• Experience in a finance environment with understanding of financial processes, controls, and systems.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience supporting, motivating, and managing team performance.
• Confident using financial systems and Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word) to analyse information and maintain records.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, able to handle complex queries.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a busy environment.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with ability to identify improvements and work efficiently.
• Collaborative approach; able to work independently and across services.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Senior Finance Officer in managing allocated Exchequer services.
• Ensure delivery of financial support services in line with policies and regulations.
• Support operation and review of financial systems and procedures.
• Supervise staff within Exchequer and aid in staff development.
• Monitor IT systems and maintain accurate, up-to-date records.
• Provide financial and statistical information as required.
• Undertake projects within Financial Management as needed.
• Handle complex queries from suppliers and customers.
• Assist with authorisation procedures for creditor payments and debtors.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Communication

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

GCSEs ( Maths & English )

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

Support the financial services behind the services that matter most.

Who We Are & What We Stand For

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Build a career where accuracy, innovation, and customer service matter.

Resources and Digital Directorate operates at the very core of the Council's operations, working with Services to deliver the Councils priorities. Exchequer Services offer a robust transactional management service, including income processing, payment of invoices, expenses and allowances and support with debt management. Our Team have detailed knowledge and vast experience of a wide range of key business processes, internal and external financial regulations and relevant costing requirements.

Looking for a finance role with purpose? Join Gateshead Council.

At Gateshead Council, our Finance Officers play a vital role in ensuring the effective management of public funds that support essential services for our communities. Working within the Exchequer team, you'll help deliver high-quality financial support services, maintain accurate financial systems and records, provide financial and statistical information, and support the continuous improvement of processes. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys problem-solving, supervising and developing staff, and making a meaningful contribution to the efficient delivery of council services.

What You'll Do (Essential Criteria)

• Assist the Senior Finance Officer in the management of allocated services within Exchequer.
• Assist with ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of financial support services to groups in line with council policies, procedures and financial regulations.
• Assist with the effective and efficient operation of the councils financial systems and support the continuous review of systems and procedures.
• Supervise employees within Exchequer as allocated and support staff development.
• Monitor and maintain IT systems and computerized records ensuring information is accurate and up to date.
• Provision of financial and statistical information as required.
• Undertake projects within Financial Management as required.
• Deal with complex queries from suppliers and customers.
• Assist with the authorisation procedures of creditor payments, debtors and other Exchequer functions.

What You'll Bring

• 4 GCSE passes at Grade 4 or Grade C or above (or equivalent, including Maths and English)
• Experience working in a finance environment, with a good understanding of financial processes, controls, and systems.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience supporting, motivating, and managing team performance.
• Confidence using financial systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word, to analyse information and maintain accurate records.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, enabling you to build positive relationships and confidently deal with complex queries.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, work to strict deadlines, and maintain a high level of accuracy in a busy environment.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify improvements and contribute to more efficient ways of working.
• A collaborative approach, able to work independently while also building effective working relationships across services and teams.

What’s In It For You

• Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
• Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
• Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
• Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
• Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
• Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
• Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
• Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation

Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.