Financial Accountant Band 7

The postholder will be responsible for the management of the corporate financial accounting function and the provision of an effective, efficient and economic financial accounts preparation service to the Trust. She/he will manage the Corporate Accounting & Systems Team, ensuring that the function provides appropriate, accurate and prompt financial accounting reporting to the Trust, ensuring compliance with relevant statutory and Departmental regulations and supporting the Trust’s decision making processes.

She/he will manage the day to day administration and maintenance of an efficient and effective Financial Services function to include Corporate Financial Accounting, Systems Administration, and General Ledger, identifying areas for improvement and maximising opportunities for optimising use of Financial Systems. He/she will manage the Trust’s monthly financial accounting arrangements and capital accounting system and ensure monthly reporting information and year end statutory accounts are prepared within the set timescale. He/she will be responsible for the reporting of charitable trust funds and Whole of Government Accounts.

Main Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Financial Accountant in the administration, maintenance, and development of financial systems operating within the Finance, Procurement & Estates Directorate.
• Support the Senior Financial Accountant in maintaining the integrity of the Trust’s various financial systems through the application of sound policies, procedures and controls, whilst ensuring all deadlines are adhered to.
• Participate in the assessment and development of financial systems so that financial accounting information is accurately and promptly prepared and that information produced can be relied upon to enable effective decision making.
• Support the Senior Financial Accountant in providing an effective, efficient and economic financial accounting service for the Trust, including public funds, Charitable Trust Funds and Patients Private Property.
• Ensure reconciliation and review of all control account balances has been completed in a timely and accurate manner, including the resolution of balancing items where required.
• Ensuring that documented system knowledge and reconciliation procedures exist for all control accounts and that these procedures are kept fully up to date.
• Support the Senior Financial Accountant in forecasting and accounting for provisions, including liaising with legal advisors.
• Assess and monitor the adequacy of staffing resources to provide for the accurate and timely monthly and annual financial accounting reporting to the Trust and to ensure all staff are adequately trained in financial accounting processes, procedures, and systems.
• Compile the year end financial accounts and notes from trial balance to the format prescribed by DoH.
• Prepare, collate and review working papers file for monthly financial reporting routine, including journals, and control accounts, and for year end final accounts for external audit and take key role in final accounts audit process.
• Prepare and/or review regular and ad hoc returns including Fraud Return, TFR E&S, RoFP and WGA and ensure submitted to DoH or other body.
• Support the Senior Financial Accountant in the operation and maintenance of the capital accounting system, including implementing the capital register and complying with the Capital Accounting Manual.

Financial Systems

• Support the Senior Financial Accountant in the administration, maintenance, and development of all financial systems operating within the Finance, Procurement & Estates Directorate.
• Support the Senior Financial Accountant in maintaining the integrity of the Trust’s various financial systems through the application of sound policies, procedures and controls, whilst ensuring all deadlines are adhered to.
• Participate in the assessment and development of new and existing financial systems so that financial accounting information is accurately and promptly prepared and that information produced can be relied upon to enable effective decision making.
• Support the modernisation and re-engineering of finance processes through the implementation of a continuous programme of improvement which will support a modern workforce and environment.
• Ensure that financial systems, procedures and processes are developed and implemented to deliver corporate financial accounting services in a transparent and accountable manner, including implementing Internal Audit recommendations.

Operational Delivery

• Liaise with managers, senior staff in other Directorates, regional colleagues, DoH and the Trust’s legal advisors to facilitate the work of the department.
• Represent the Corporate Accounting & Systems Team in Trust and Regional project teams as appropriate.
• Develop, maintain and regularly review written operational procedures for the areas of work which ensure the Trust complies with all statutory and departmental policies and guidelines.
• Support staff and provide advice in relation to the safe and effective use of ICT systems to enhance service provision.
• Provide information required for performance and benchmarking reviews.
• Support the Senior Financial Accountant in the production of financial information for Trust Board, Audit Committee, DoH or other as necessary.

Essential Criteria:

• 2 years post qualification experience in a role involving the preparation of statutory financial accounts.
• Experience in delivering objectives which have led to a significant improvement in service.
• Experience in working with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders in a role which has contributed to the successful implementation of a significant change initiative.
• Minimum of 1 years experience in staff management.
• Experience in the use of Microsoft office products including Word, Excel, Powerpoint.
• Recognised CCAB accountancy qualification.
• Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment.
• Effective Communications skills.
• Effective Planning & Organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own and team workload.
• Ability to provide effective leadership to a team.
• Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively.
• Ability to work to tight timescales whilst meeting targets.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality and effective services with an ability to drive a culture of continuous improvement.
• Have an excellent understanding of accounting standards GAAP/IFRS, and wider financial governance principles and controls.