Accounting Technician

9 months contract with a Local Authority

Job Title: Accounting Technician

Job Purpose

To support the Adult Social Care Payments & Billing Team in the efficient administration of financial processes relating to adult social care services. The postholder will be responsible for processing payments, raising invoices, maintaining accurate financial records, and providing support to internal stakeholders and external care providers. This role contributes to the effective management of payments and billing functions, ensuring compliance with council policies and financial regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Process invoices accurately and efficiently within agreed timescales.
  


• Manage payments to social care providers and ensure timely settlement of accounts.
  


• Raise invoices and support the billing function for Adult Social Care services.
  


• Use and maintain financial systems, including the Controcc system (training provided if required).
  


• Investigate and resolve payment and billing queries from care providers.
  


• Respond to enquiries from social workers and other internal stakeholders regarding financial transactions.
  


• Maintain accurate financial records and support reconciliation activities.
  


• Ensure compliance with financial procedures, controls, and council policies.
  


• Assist with reporting and administrative tasks within the Payments & Billing Team.
  


• Contribute to continuous improvement within the team and support service delivery objectives.
  

Experience

Essential

• Experience in a finance administration, accounts payable, or similar financial support role.
  


• Ability to process financial information with a high level of accuracy.
  


• Experience dealing with internal and external customer queries.
  


• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage workload effectively.
  

Desirable

• Experience within a local authority, public sector, or social care finance environment.
  


• Familiarity with financial management systems, particularly Controcc.
  


• Experience in billing, invoicing, and payment processing functions.
  

Qualifications

Essential

• 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grades A–C / 4–9, including English and Mathematics.
  

Desirable

• AAT qualification or working towards an accounting or finance-related qualification.
  


• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related discipline.
  

Skills and Knowledge

• Basic understanding of financial processes and accounting principles.
  


• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
  


• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
  


• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
  


• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
  


• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  


• Willingness to learn new systems and processes.
  

What's on Offer

• Flexible working hours to support work-life balance.
  


• Hybrid working arrangement following training.
  


• Full training and ongoing support.
  


• Valuable experience within a local authority finance environment.
  


• Opportunity to develop knowledge of Adult Social Care finance processes.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Council House, Manor Square, Solihull, B91 3QB
  


• Hours: 37 hours per week
  


• Pay Rate:  £18.67 per hour Umbrella
  


• Contract: Fixed-term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 12 months to cover maternity leave.
  


• Working Pattern: Hybrid working arrangement, combining office-based and home working.
  


• If successful, candidates will be required to provide information to support Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's commitment to the prevention and detection of fraud. This information will be processed by the Council's Internal Audit Services and may be shared with the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) for data matching.
  


• Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk and expects all employees to share this commitment. The Council is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
  


• Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly
  


• Start Date: Immediate start available
  


• Closing Date: Applications closing soon – early applications are encouraged