Welcome back to our ‘A Day in the Life’ series, where we chat to HILS team members to see what they get up to in a typical day and the impact their efforts have on clients across our services.
This month we are looking at our Finance department and all the essential work they do to keep our service running smoothly. Meet our Senior Finance Assistant Kerry…….
I love working at Health & Independent Living Support (HILS) because the work we do makes a real difference to older and vulnerable people across the counties we cover. Plus, I get to work with such lovely colleagues—which makes every day even better!
Managing Finances to Support Independent Living
As part of the Finance Team at HILS, my role is all about managing accounts, processing payments, and ensuring financial accuracy. Our team plays a key role in keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes, helping to ensure HILS can continue providing meals on wheels, wellbeing services, and support to people who need it most.
Each day starts with checking emails and answering finance-related queries—whether from suppliers, customers, or colleagues. I also send out invoices for people who’ve hired our halls at the Jubilee Centre & Friendship House, keeping track of incoming payments.
Keeping Payments on Track
Beyond daily tasks, there are weekly and monthly finance processes that help keep HILS’ services operating efficiently. Each week, I upload the Bacs payment run to the bank, ensuring that suppliers and service providers are paid correctly. I also make sure supplier accounts are up to date, reducing the risk of errors or delays.
At different points in the month, I focus on financial reconciliation—making sure that every payment made and every income received is accurately reflected in our accounts system. This is essential for budget management and financial reporting, ensuring HILS can continue to deliver high-quality community care and support services.
As the month comes to an end, I analyse income and expenditure across different HILS services. This data is essential for preparing our Management Accounts, which provide insights into the financial health of the organisation.
Supporting a Lifeline for Older and Vulnerable People
Before I know it, the month is over, and the cycle begins again! While finance might not always be the first thing people think of when it comes to supporting independent living, our work is a vital part of keeping HILS running—ensuring we can continue providing nutritious meals, social support, and wellbeing services to thousands of people across Hampshire, Hertfordshire, and West Sussex.
Are you interested in joining the HILS family? Check out our current vacancies, where you can see our vacancies across Hertfordshire, Hampshire and West Sussex. We’d love to hear from you.
