Senior Management Accountant - Mid and South in Grays

Job overview

To provide a comprehensive financial management service to corporate managers within one or more directorates. This will involve working closely with budget managers to provide financial management advice and support using information produced by the management accounting team.

The senior management accountant is part of a team providing support to one or more Executive Directors. Within this larger team, each Senior management accountant works with a management accountant providing financial management information and advice to a defined group of budget holders.

Please note ICB at risk employees will be prioritised.

Responsibilities

• To produce monthly budget reports for services within one or more directorates, ensuring that the monthly reporting timetable is achieved, and that the data within the reports is accurate and correctly takes account of all appropriate accruals and pre‑payments.
• Understand the key drivers of the underlying financial position and communicate these effectively to budget holders.
• Meet regularly with budget holders to discuss financial performance and to understand the reasons for any variances.
• Identify areas of concern and communicate these to the budget holders and, where appropriate, senior finance team and service directors.
• Attend Directorate Senior Management Team meetings with senior management and clinical staff and present the financial information clearly.
• Undertake costings for new developments and service enhancements within the service area supported.
• Provide support and advice on the revenue implications of business cases, service developments and proposed service changes.
• Support managers to develop an annual budget to ensure services are planned within available resources and accurately reflect the expected cost of the service.
• Assist budget holders in identifying their Cost Improvement Programmes, and monitor delivery of cost reductions and achievement of any CIP targets set.
• Provide support to the Senior Finance Manager in monitoring contract income, ensuring that contract variations are recorded in the ledger in a timely fashion and any payment issues are highlighted immediately.
• Ensure that all directorate income is invoiced correctly and regularly, and provide appropriate supporting information for charges.
• Provide training and advice to budget holders on trust financial and purchasing systems and interpretation of the financial statements.
• Ensure that budget holders understand and comply with key financial procedures and policies including Trust Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and purchasing procedures.
• Contribute to the production of the Trust Annual Accounts, completing working papers, analyses and returns as directed.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years’ service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers and staff benefits.
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail or bus.

Working for our organisation

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff’s hard work and dedication.

Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.

Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Person specification

Educational Qualifications

• Membership of AAT, relevant degree or equivalent qualification or equivalent knowledge gained through extensive experience in a similar role.
• Engaged in study for CCAB or equivalent qualification or willing to commence training.
• Evidence of commitment to continuing and ongoing professional development.
• GCSE level or equivalent.

Desirable criteria

• Willingness to learn new skills.

Knowledge

• Proficient in use of IT software including spreadsheets, word processing and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of NHS finance regime or equivalent.
• Awareness of current NHS issues and challenges.

Skills and Experience

• Literate in IT/Computer Skills.
• Good oral communication skills based on fluency in the English language.
• Experience working in NHS finance department using computerised financial information systems.
• Ability to clearly present and explain complex financial information and concepts to non‑financial managers.
• High degree of accuracy and excellent attention to detail.
• Experience with AI/Copilot.

Our Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience of using mental health services. We encourage people with a disability to apply.

Please note trainees and staff formally at risk within the organisation will be given priority in securing alternative employment. Should a post being advertised be considered suitable alternative employment to an individual who is at risk, the recruiting manager will be advised and the post will be withdrawn from NHS Jobs.

Vaccination requirement: This role requires both COVID vaccinations unless exempt.

We are unable to accept personal or character references; professional references covering the last three years of employment are required.