Interim FA in Exeter

Interim Finance Assistant Band 4 - Interim Contract to Start ASAP - Remote (occasional onsite attendance in Devon if required)

About the Organisation

Hays are working with a NHS organisation in Devon, who are working in partnership with the local health and care providers to deliver high-quality services for the population. The clients Finance Team plays a key role in ensuring robust financial management, transparency, and value for public money.

The Role

We are seeking an Interim Finance Assistant (Band 4) to join our Finance Team on an interim basis. The post holder will provide comprehensive financial support, with a primary focus on Primary Care finance activity, including the administration and processing of claims and support for month-end financial reporting. This is a remote role, with occasional onsite attendance required to support business needs. The role requires a high level of accuracy, confidence in handling high-volume transactional activity, and strong spreadsheet and systems skills. You will work closely with Finance Business Partners and a range of stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate financial information is produced to support effective decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Month End & Financial Reporting
  • Support the month-end close process, ensuring deadlines are met and financial information is complete and accurate.
  • Prepare and post journals, accruals, prepayments, and budget virements in line with financial procedures.
  • Maintain and update month-end working papers, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
  • Assist Finance Business Partners with analysis of expenditure and income against budget and forecasts.
• Claims Management (Primary Care Focus)
  • Administer and process claims in accordance with NHS and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Manage a shared claims mailbox, ensuring claims are logged, tracked, and processed in a timely manner.
  • Process claims through relevant finance and Primary Care systems, ensuring appropriate coding and authorisation.
  • Resolve claims-related queries with internal teams, GP practices, and external stakeholders.
• Systems, Data & Spreadsheets
  • Maintain, develop, and reconcile complex spreadsheets used for claims tracking, expenditure monitoring, and reporting.
  • Ensure data accuracy across finance systems and spreadsheets, identifying and resolving discrepancies promptly.
  • Support improvements to spreadsheet models and administrative processes to enhance efficiency and financial control.
• Stakeholder & Financial Support
  • Liaise with budget holders and service managers to ensure financial documentation is submitted, approved, and coded correctly.
  • Investigate and resolve financial queries, discrepancies, and disputed transactions.
  • Support debtor and creditor processes, including monitoring aged balances and escalating issues as appropriate.
  • Assist with audit queries and the preparation of year-end accounts.
• General Financial Duties
  • Support Finance Business Partners with statutory returns, financial proformas, and reporting requirements.
  • Assist with the development and documentation of financial processes and procedures.
  • Provide support for ad hoc finance projects and tasks across the Primary Care portfolio.
  • Manage own workload effectively, prioritising tasks to meet agreed deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Experience working in a finance or financial administration role.
• Experience of transactional finance and month-end financial processes.
• Strong experience using spreadsheets, including reconciliations and data analysis.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently, particularly in a remote environment.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience using finance systems.

Desirable

• Knowledge or experience of NHS finance, particularly Primary Care finance.
• Experience processing claims or high-volume financial transactions in a public sector environment.
• Experience supporting audits or year-end financial processes.

Values & Behaviours

The post holder will be expected to demonstrate:

• A strong commitment to NHS values and public service.
• Integrity, professionalism, and accountability in financial management.
• A collaborative, proactive, and solution-focused approach to work.
• Respect for confidentiality and information governance requirements.