Finance Assistant

We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated Finance Assistant to join our team at The Grange Surgery to play a key role in the smooth running of the Practice's financial, business and wider operations. This is an exciting opportunity, and we are able to offer flexible hours totalling 15 hours per week. We welcome applicants from a wide range of sectors but experience of working in a financial or accounting role is essential. Experience within the NHS and Primary Care is desirable but not essential. What matters most is the ability to be organised, analytical, have strong IT skills, have an eye for detail and be eager to learn and grow.

Main duties of the job:

• Oversee financial income and payments including processing invoices with accuracy and efficiency.
• Match purchase invoices to goods received.
• Support budgeting, financial reporting, payroll and other financial processes.
• Ensure finance processes and record keeping are accurate and comply with regulations.
• Support the Practice Manager by preparing robust financial information to support practice decision making including value for money around goods and services the Practice buys.
• Support data collection, reporting and analysis for quality improvement.

About us:

The Grange Surgery is a well-established, high achieving GP practice with a friendly, caring and patient-centred approach. We pride ourselves on our long standing, excellent reputation among the approximately 9,500 patients we serve covering all demographics including a number of local nursing and residential care homes. This was recognised recently when we were rated as the top GP surgery in Sefton according to the latest NHS GP Patient Survey. The surgery is located in Birkdale village, near Southport, close to excellent local amenities with good transport links; Birkdale station is only a 2 minute walk from the surgery. We are a training practice comprising three GP Partners, five GPs, two Nurses, HCA, Pharmacist, Phlebotomist, GPSTs and three GPA's.

Job responsibilities:

The Finance Assistant will have an integral role in ensuring the smooth running of the Practice. Working for the Practice Manager, they will assist in all aspects of financial management within the Practice and support wider business decision-making. Working alongside the Deputy Practice Manager and IT Lead, the Finance Assistant will support with the running of searches and analysis of clinical patient data to support the Partners in meeting NHS targets. They will also assist the wider practice operations where needed such as engaging with utility companies, other service providers and suppliers, and supporting general administrative tasks to ensure the smooth and cost-efficient running of the Practice.

Finance:

• Process invoices and payments with accuracy and efficiency.
• Match purchase invoices to goods received, ensuring all transactions are recorded correctly.
• Scan and circulate invoices for authorisation.
• Liaise with suppliers and staff regarding finance queries.
• Continually seek to identify potential savings opportunities.
• Liaise with banks, accountants and other external organisations when needed.
• Support payroll and pensions.
• Process expense claims.
• Support the Practice Manager in preparing budgets, financial reports to monitor performance, and year-end accounts.
• Support financial governance by ensuring that the partnership operates in accordance with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements, promoting good practice and effective risk management.
• Ensure financial documents and records are organised, compliant and readily accessible for audit and reporting purposes.
• Oversee the administration of the Practice finance system.
• Ensure regular backups of financial data.

Wider Practice running and development:

• Support data collection, reporting and analysis for quality improvement frameworks such as the Quality Outcome Frameworks (QOF) and Local Quality Contract (LQC).
• Support the Practice Manager in ensuring the Practice gets value for money for medical supplies, drugs, services and equipment it procures.
• Support business decision making by assessing options for potential future activities and purchases.
• Work with other relevant staff to ensure stocks of equipment and supplies are regularly reviewed and stock levels are consistent with orders and usage data.
• Assist with the implementation of new systems, processes, and technologies especially those that involve financial data.
• Support general administrative tasks as required.
• Manage confidential and sensitive information with the utmost discretion and professionalism, safeguarding the interests of the partnership.

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

• GCSEs in Maths & English (Grade C / 4 or above) or equivalent qualifications.
• Level 3 qualification (A level or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
• AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) or similar qualification.

Experience:

• Background in finance/bookkeeping including knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, claims/income, cashflow and banking.
• Extracting, analysing and presenting data to support management decision making.
• Using online finance systems.
• Knowledge and experience of funding within General Practice.
• Experience within the NHS or Primary Care.
• Developing, implementing and embedding financial policies and procedures.
• Supporting year-end financial accounts.
• Supporting payroll.
• Supporting business decision making, including cost-benefit analysis / options analysis.

Skills:

• Strong financial literacy and numeracy skills.
• Excellent IT skills including Excel.
• Problem solving and analytical skills including the manipulation and presentation of data to support decision making.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• High level of accuracy/attention to detail.
• Good written and oral communication skills with the ability to effectively liaise with colleagues and suppliers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, taking the initiative where required.

Personal Qualities and Professional Values:

• Reflects our practice values: friendly, caring and patient-centred.
• Calm, resilient and adaptable.
• High levels of integrity and loyalty.

Other Requirements:

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• To be discreet and always maintain confidentiality.

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.