Lead Finance Officer

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Job Title:Lead Finance Officer
Starting Salary: £39,481 progressing to £43,149
Hours:37 hours per week
Location: Farnham House, Stevenage with hybrid working
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Adult Care Services

The Client Finance Team supports vulnerable adults who are unable to manage their own financial affairs who have been assessed as lacking mental capacity. Acting as Appointees and Deputies, we help safeguard clients' income, assets and financial wellbeing, ensuring all decisions are made in their best interests.

As part of the Money Advice Unit, we work collaboratively with Adult Social Care colleagues, healthcare professionals, legal services and external organisations to provide specialist financial support and guidance across Hertfordshire.

This is an exciting time to join our growing team. You'll have the opportunity to develop expertise in Appointeeship, Deputyship and client financial management while making a meaningful difference to people's lives. We are a supportive and collaborative team, looking for empathetic individuals who want to help vulnerable adults remain independent and thrive within their communities.

This role is one of a range of new roles being advertised within our Money Advice and Client Finance service at this exciting time of growth. Check out our website for other opportunities.

As Lead Finance Officer you will support colleagues by working on complex cases relating to Appointee and Deputyship cases for clients who lack the capacity to handle their own financial affairs. The role holder will report to the team manager, undertaking priorities as requested, and supervise and coach team members. You will oversee banking, finance and statutory requirements, and be involved in problem solving issues.

• Support and supervise Finance Officers, providing guidance, coaching and day-to-day support to help the team deliver a high-quality service.
• Manage a portfolio of complex Appointee and Deputyship cases, ensuring clients' finances are managed in their best interests.
• Oversee client financial management activities, including budgets, banking arrangements, prepaid cards and expenditure monitoring.
• Monitor performance, workloads and statutory deadlines, ensuring legal, regulatory and service requirements are met.
• Identify and manage financial risks, safeguarding concerns and complex issues, escalating where appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with social care, health, legal and external partners, including the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), to achieve positive outcomes for clients.
• Maintain accurate financial and case records, ensuring compliance with audit and regulatory requirements.
• Support service improvement activities, staff development and the delivery of training and guidance across the service.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated professional who is passionate about supporting vulnerable adults and ensuring their financial affairs are managed safely, effectively and in their best interests.

You will be confident managing complex financial and casework matters, building strong relationships with a range of stakeholders, and balancing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. You'll bring excellent attention to detail, sound judgement and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for clients.

• Has knowledge of Appointeeship and Deputyship responsibilities, relevant legislation and guidance, and experience working with organisations such as the Court of Protection, Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), DWP, legal services or financial advisers.
• Has experience managing complex casework, financial matters or enquiries involving multiple stakeholders, with the ability to make informed decisions and maintain high levels of accuracy.
• Understands, or can quickly develop knowledge of, welfare benefits, debt management, financial inclusion and banking products used to support vulnerable adults, including prepaid card arrangements.
• Is highly organised, with strong financial, numerical and analytical skills, and can effectively prioritise workloads, projects and deadlines.
• Is confident using a range of IT systems, including Excel and case management systems.
• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills, enabling them to work effectively with colleagues, customers, families, professionals and partner organisations.
• Can work independently and…