Description

Please apply for this post via NHS Jobs Website, reference 213-CORP-7956343-A

The post holder will report into the Deputy Head of MI & A and the role will be responsible for providing high quality financial information and advice, populating and drafting board reports, producing management accounts and other standard finance reports and dashboards ensuring these are in line with best practice and adhere to current accounting standards and policies. The role will also be responsible for ensuring that the recording of general accounting transactions, including posting of routine journals and adjustments, is in line with best practice and adheres to current accounting standards and policies.

This post will be responsible for directing, motivating and managing their team and will play a key role in developing their skills and working with other senior finance colleagues to ensure the finance function overall provides high quality, professional financial support to the Trust that meets the needs of the business. 

The post holder must have a recognised CCAB or equivalent qualification and have significant experience in senior roles within finance and be fully committed to Continuous Professional Development.

In providing specialist financial expertise and leadership to the business there is an almost constant requirement for the post holder to exercise intense concentration and sustained mental effort in order to analyse, understand, retain and convey information. There is a frequent need for the post holder to prioritise and re-prioritise workloads according to the demands of stakeholders and to meet financial deadlines.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership 

For their specified business area.  Lead and be the Trust’s expert in financial reporting business information and general financial management accounting transactions ensuring adherence to current accounting standards and policies implementing changes to these policies/ standards as necessary.

To be a role model for their team in how to provide a customer focused, high-quality service to managers/directors/clinicians in the Trust. 

To set high standards and lead/motivate and manage the team to meet them and the expectations of internal/external colleagues/customers. 

To develop expertise within the team and contribute to the development of financial/business skills within the broader finance team and managers/clinicians in the Trust. 

To work with colleagues in Contracting, Income, Costing and information/performance management to ensure the Trust has coherent integrated information, analysis and plans. 

To develop, actively promote and implement standard operating procedures in relation to all internal and external financial management reports. 

To develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of the Trust’s accounting processes and procedures and financial systems. 

To implement actions in response to recommendations from Internal Audit for the enhancement of internal controls and procedures in own areas of responsibility. 

To have a comprehensive knowledge of national accounting standards and a good understanding of financial and other NHS legislation, NHS finance policies and initiatives relating to the NHS financial regime. 

To provide robust, accurate and timely core financial reports to meet internal and external month end/ year end deadlines. 

To ensure strong relationships and regular communications with all Trust finance managers to ensure they are informed of any data quality issues relating to the financial position of the Trust, new national guidance and policy issues, etc and to provide them with clear guidance as appropriate. 

Financial Reporting and Business Intelligence 

Provide high quality, timely, accurate and appropriate analytical and interpretive financial management information to Senior Finance Business Partners, General Managers, the senior management team, operational managers and other senior staff throughout the Trust.

Maintain the integrity of the general ledger data allowing the Trust to provide a single version of the truth across all customers of internal and external financial reporting.

Ensure that all supporting documentation required provides adequate explanation and rationale for any entry or amendment to the general ledger.

Produce robust annual budgets, standard monthly forecasts, standard monthly management accounts (including variance analysis), Board reports, and external regulatory reports that meet the specified requirements, the needs of the business and support the work of the Senior FBPs. On a monthly basis oversee the uploading of budgets, forecasts and journals

Conduct, quantitate and statistical methods of financial analysis to support the development of business cases, planning and budget setting processes, cost improvement initiatives and other ad hoc internal and external reports.

Review, develop and implement policies and procedures to deliver an efficient and effective month end process and ensure there is a robust process for the dissemination of the relevant information in a timely manner.

Support the development, implementation and maintenance of a suite of integrated Trust financial and non-financial performance reports.

Develop standard operating procedures and KPIs to standardise and manage performance across all areas of own responsibility.

Support in interpreting the impact of variations in financial performance and work with the Senior FBPs and the Income team to identify the financial consequences of these changes on the Trust’s Income and Expenditure budgets. 

Support the response to any FOI requests. 

Working with Deputy Head of MI & A and the Finance Business Partners to ensure the delivery of accurate and timely reporting of financial information to appropriate levels of management.

Requirements

Education and Qualifications
CCAB fully qualified / Professional chartered accountancy qualification
Master’s degree in financial or business discipline
Significant post qualification experience
Evidence of CPD
 
Knowledge and Experience
Senior NHS provider finance experience
Leading preparation of financial reports to senior managers.
Preparing budgets and financial forecasts.
Production of monthly management accounts and working with budget holders.
Understanding of the financial planning process.
Development and analysis of business cases and service developments.
Worked with senior management teams within Finance and the wider organisation.
NHS Trust Finance experience.
Staff management experience.
Similar experience similar sized NHS organisation (desirable)
 
Skills and Competencies
Accounting skills including financial analysis, planning and option appraisal.
Able to analyse complex financial and performance data and draw conclusions that can be clearly explained.
Understanding of the changing NHS environment and its implications for service delivery.
Advanced keyboard and MS Office skills.
Good level of analytical skills, including analysis of data using Excel / related tools.
Clarity of expression – verbal and written.
Ability to write clear and concise reports on extremely complex financial and business issues to board level.
Ability to produce comprehensive reports that meet the requirements of the operational partner.
Strong influencing and negotiation skills which may need to overcome significant barriers to acceptance.
Ability to build effective working relationships with key stakeholders at all levels in the organisation.
Ability to present to wide range of audiences on complex financial and business issues.
Ability to react quickly where decisions are required urgently.
Ability to work with competing priorities to meet tight deadlines for self and team.
Ability to work autonomously and make complex decisions independently.
Advanced use of Excel, financial modelling tools and use of PowerPoint.
Use of BI tools to present financial information.
Forecasting techniques.
Understanding of good financial governance.
Highly analytical mind.
Ability to communicate complex financial & non- financial information simply and clearly.
Innovative and imaginative.
Able to plan ahead and ensure deadlines are met.
Able to see the big picture and ensure that detailed workings are accurate.
Understanding of the changing NHS environment and its implications for service delivery.

Personal Qualities
Demonstrable ability to meet Trust values.
Demonstrable commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes.
Commitment to providing best possible service to clinical teams, budget holders and senior management.
Able to work at flexible hours.
Works across boundaries, looks for collective success, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others.
Actively develops themselves and others.
Uses evidence to make improvements, seeks out innovation.
Self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers with cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Has the drive and energy to make things happen; frequently goes "above and beyond" the call of duty.
Ability to reflect on own performance and recognise areas of development.
Has resilience, patience and an ability to influence widely.
Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness.