Finance assistant

Band 2 · Finance officer · 183 job evaluation points

Finance assistants process routine financial transactions, such as supplier invoices, receipts, and expense claims, following set procedures with supervision close by.

Responsibilities

Enter supplier invoices, credit notes, and receipts accurately into the finance system.
Match invoices to purchase orders and goods receipts, and chase missing approvals.
Check staff expense claims against policy and supporting receipts.
Answer routine queries from suppliers and staff by phone and email.
File and scan financial documents so they can be found for audit.
Follow financial procedures and information governance rules, and report anything unusual.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Financial transactions and ledgersThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the purchase-to-pay and order-to-cash processes and your part in them enter invoices, receipts, and payments accurately, following set procedures check that a transaction has the right approval and supporting documents
Finance systemsThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: use the finance system for your own tasks, following procedures run standard reports and export data to a spreadsheet
Financial controls and auditThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: follow the organisation's financial procedures and schemes of delegation recognise signs of possible fraud or error and report them
Public sector financeThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain that the organisation spends public money and must account for it explain the difference between capital and revenue spending
Communicating informationUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: listen to the needs of design and business stakeholders and interpret information take part in discussions within a multidisciplinary team
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: follow the organisation's rules for handling personal and health information recognise and report a data breach or near miss
Understanding health and care servicesThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: describe the main parts of the health and care system and the services the organisation supports explain why patient safety and confidentiality matter in your work

Typical qualifications and experience

Good numeracy and keyboard skills, gained through education or work experience.
Willingness to work towards an entry-level accounting qualification, or equivalent experience.

Band 2 outline

Knowledge: Knows the routines and procedures of the work area; may hold an entry qualification.
Autonomy: Works to set procedures, with supervision available.
Scope: Own tasks within a team.
Leadership: May show new starters routine tasks.
Accountability: Quality and timeliness of own routine work.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	3	Gives routine information needing tact or persuasion, or complex or sensitive information, or straightforward training to groups.	21
Knowledge, training, and experience	2	A range of routine procedures, learned through on-the-job training and induction.	36
Analytical and judgemental skills	2	Judgements on facts or situations, some needing analysis.	15
Planning and organisational skills	1	Organises own day-to-day work.	6
Physical skills	3	Developed skills needing speed or accuracy, such as advanced keyboard use.	27
Responsibility for patient and client care	1	Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.	4
Responsibility for policy and service development	1	Follows policies set by others; may comment on changes.	5
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	2	Handles cash or valuables, looks after equipment used by others, controls stock, or authorises small payments.	12
Responsibility for people	1	Shows own work routines to new or less experienced colleagues.	5
Responsibility for information resources	2	Enters or stores data compiled by others, or occasionally writes reports or queries.	9
Responsibility for research and development	1	Carries out surveys or audits for own work; occasionally takes part in research or testing.	5
Freedom to act	2	Follows standard procedures and precedent; someone is usually available to ask; work may be checked.	12
Physical effort	2	Frequent sitting or standing in a restricted position, or occasional light to moderate effort.	7
Mental effort	2	Frequent concentration on predictable work, or occasional concentration on unpredictable work.	7
Emotional effort	1	Rare exposure, or occasional indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.	5
Working conditions	2	Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.	7
Total (Band 2: 161 to 215)			183

Physical skills is level 3 for the speed and accuracy of high-volume data entry. Financial resources is level 2 because the job handles payment information and checks small claims.