About the job Subsidy and Finance Manager
PURPOSE OF POST
To maximize subsidy income for the Council ensuring that comprehensive procedures and policies are in place that are fit for purpose and in line with best practice in respect of all areas of subsidy. The Council expends approximately £68M per annum on Benefits with £62M counting as qualifying expenditure for Government subsidy. The role provides technical advice to officers at all levels in the Council with regard to subsidy and consequential financial implications to the Council for adjudications decisions on both an individual and scheme basis.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Manage, motivate, develop and communicate effectively with members of the Subsidy and Financial Control Team.
2. Monitor areas of potential loss of subsidy and take appropriate action to prevent loss of subsidy aiming for a 100% subsidy return in the areas within the control of the Benefits Team. Prepare reports for the Senior Management Team highlighting areas of concern from the quarterly subsidy health checks and recommend actions to address.
3. Ensure that the quality database is effectively maintained and quality checks analysed, with particular attention being focused on contentious and priority areas.
4. To ensure the timely completion of all reconciliations for Benefits, NDR and Council Tax systems to ensure they are in balance with other Council systems and that discrepancies are identified and resolved.
5. Maintain relevant records and working papers to ensure that Housing Benefit subsidy is being recorded correctly, and that all estimates and claims are made accurately and on time to the DWP.
6. Be one of the leads for the end of year process for Benefits.
7. Liaise with external and internal auditors to ensure that subsidy claims are audited and closed. Advise on the presentation of subsidy certification results to the external auditor and draft response to the qualification letter.
8. Ensure necessary checks are carried out, satisfying the principles of HB Count Methodology, to support the integrity of the subsidy claim and minimise potential qualifications or adjustments.
9. Develop SFC team members in understanding what goes into subsidy so that they are fully competent in the financial implications of correct data input.
10. Manage allocated budgets associated with the team and monitor closely the Housing Benefit subsidy spending position, reporting regularly to senior officers, highlighting areas of risk.
11. Ensure that procedure manuals for all functions of the team are provided online and kept up to date.
12. Participate in the introduction, maintenance and development of new systems aimed at securing improvements in service delivery.
13. Participate in the GPC process.
14. Participate in the training of new staff.
15. Attend meetings, working groups etc and progress any issues arising.
16. Comply with the Customer Care Code.
17. Adhere to the Councils policies on Equalities and Environmental issues.
18. Comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Councils safety policy.
#J-18808-Ljbffr