Head of Financial Accounting in London

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Financial Accounting to join the Finance Team at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. The Head of Financial Accounting will support the Trust by delivering financial services and financial accounting functions and leading on month-end and year-end activities across the Trust.

You will be a CCAB qualified accountant and have excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiating skills. You will have a detailed understanding of the accounting standards and be able to apply standards in a complex operating environment and are able to recommend improvements to processes, systems and reporting. You will be able to prioritise tasks in a complex environment and have highly developed financial accounting knowledge and skills. You will be able to deliver to tight deadlines, work independently and have substantial experience of leading, managing and developing staff.

This post offers an exciting career opportunity working within a friendly and progressive organisation. We understand, encourage and celebrate diversity, making RSFT NHS Finance team a place where we all feel we belong. The Trust was awarded "outstanding" for use of resources and is level 2 accredited on the One NHS Finance/ Skills Development Network "Towards Excellence" programme. We operate a flexible work pattern as well as working from home. The Trust has access to a range of training and development opportunities provided both internally and externally.

Main duties of the job:

• Lead and co-ordinate the production of the individual group of Trusts' Annual Accounts and other returns, in accordance with regulatory, statutory guidance and reporting deadlines to ensure that the organisation fully meets its financial reporting obligations.
• With the support of the Financial Accountant, be the group of Trusts' expert on all aspects of VAT and lead the provision of VAT advice to colleagues across the group of Trusts. Ensure continual understanding of VAT principles and regulations, interpreting and implementing to the best effect of the Trust. Act as liaison with external VAT advisors and HMRC as appropriate. Ensure all VAT returns are made within the statutory time limits and through liaison with the Trust Financial Controller, ensure that all inputs and outputs are correctly identified and calculated.
• Leading in developing and maintaining systems, procedures and controls to ensure the financial resources of the group of Trusts are protected and managed in accordance with the Standing Financial Instructions.

About us: Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us.

We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients' homes across Guildford and Waverley.

We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure.

To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video.

Details:

• Date posted: 30 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8b
• Salary: £66,653 to £77,094 a year (per annum) includes high cost area supplements (HCAS)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 384-JH-EMF20975-B8b-B
• Job locations: Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford, GU2 7XX, United Kingdom

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

• Essential: Qualified CCAB accountant or equivalent qualified by experience
• Educated to Masters level qualification or equivalent knowledge, training and experience

Knowledge:

• Essential: Extensive experience in a financial accounting environment
• Detailed understanding of the requirements of a financial ledger system
• Desirable: Expert knowledge of NHS financial regime

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.