Finance

Finance manages the income, expenditure and strategic financial direction to ensure that we are able to initiate and sustain the many services and programmes that deliver our One Islington vision for our community. It takes careful financial planning and monitoring to ensure that we provide value for money and manage the funding programmes to deliver results.

Alan Layton, Director Financial Management gives his perspective:

"Islington has a strong financial position. From one of the highest council taxes in London a few years ago we are now amongst the lowest. We have achieved this while investing in services and delivering major efficiencies - leading to a top 4 star 'improving strongly' CPA rating. Providing great financial services has been key to this success.

"Apart from Upper Street, which is a great location for lunch and evenings out, I like working at Islington because we have a great finance team here, full of exciting professionals with fresh ideas, wanting to develop their careers.

"There is a buzz about finance at Islington. Not only have we been heavily involved in major projects at the council such as building schools, smart working and P.F.I.s, but we have helped deliver a record level of efficiencies and supported sustainability initiatives such as the carbon fund. Finance at Islington is at the heart of everything the council does with managers and members placing high value the support, information and advice we provide."

What we need...

We often have opportunities for qualified and part qualified accountants to join the corporate and service finance teams, but we also have our own external customers to look after as we manage council tax and make sure that Islington residents can access the benefits they are entitled to receive.

Ian Adams, Director of Financial Operations, describes the service we offer:

"We are regularly dealing with the most vulnerable members of our community and we want to make a real difference to their lives. We want to be able to react in a way that helps quickly and at their point of need. That is particularly true of customers who want to claim benefits, pay their council tax or to make changes to their account

"For us it means doing as much as possible at the point where our customers access our service. Whether it's letting them serve themselves over the web or giving our front line staff the scope, not only to take details or give information, but to also process information received and to give immediate results.

"I think the fact that we are allowing our staff more and more to be creative and provide help to people without making a fuss, makes Islington and our service a great and interesting place to work."

What we can do for you...

Neil Bailey initially joined the team through an agency and has now been appointed on a permanent basis. What does he think about Working for Islington?

"While working in Islington through an agency I saw real opportunities for career and skills development in the council, and the team here are really committed to keep improving services, going the extra mile to help customers. I liked that so when the chance came I went for a permanent job.

"I'm glad I did. I've had a lot of training and support to develop my skills. The atmosphere is great and regular one-to-ones with my manager give me the opportunity to discuss performance, training and any concerns I have. The office is easy to reach, with reliable transport and we have flexible working hours so I don't have any issues getting to work.

"I've found the work here really rewarding. When I started I did data entry and provided general payments information to customers, then I got involved with the new e-payments system, helping to pay invoices more quickly and training other system users. Now I have the skills to train other people and to supervise a team.

"I like to think that I use my new skills to make my colleagues and our customers lives easier - and its good to work in a team where everyone appreciates that and where others want to help me."

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