Accounts Assistant in Milton Keynes

Watling Street Practice & Primary Care Network are looking to employ a part-time accounts assistant who will provide administrative and financial support to our Financial Controller and Business Manager by handling routine tasks like data entry, bookkeeping, and processing payments.

If you are interested in applying for this role, please complete your application on NHS Jobs or email us directly with your CV at wsp.peopleteam@nhs.net. We regularly review applications and reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role.

Hours, Salary and Benefits

• 22.5 hours per week, worked across 3 days
• £14.35 - £15.38 per hour (depending on skills and experience)
• 28 days annual leave (pro-rata), plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with length of service
• NHS Discounts with a massive number of retailers (with a Bluelight card)
• Wellbeing resources available free to all staff

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to ensure financial records are accurate and up-to-date, to manage spreadsheets, handle invoices and to assist with other clerical duties to keep the finance department running smoothly.

Job responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records for WSP and WSN.
• Process invoices, receipts, and expense claims.
• Enter transactions into the accounting system and ensure correct coding.
• Carry out bank reconciliations and ensure the cash book is accurate and up to date.
• Assist the Financial Controller with the preparation of monthly accounts.
• Prepare payment runs for approval, ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time.
• Set up electronic bank payments in line with authorisation procedures.
• Manage petty cash and reconcile as required.
• Monitor and reconcile incoming payments, including NHS income streams.
• Collate and process monthly payroll information for submission to payroll providers (e.g., timesheets, overtime, absence, new starters, leavers).
• Maintain accurate employee pay records.
• Liaise with the Business Manager, People Team Manager and Practice Managers to ensure payroll information is correct and deadlines are met.
• Support the Financial Controller in reviewing payroll outputs.
• Prepare and submit claims for enhanced services (DES/LES) and PCN activity.
• Track claim deadlines and ensure income is maximised.
• Maintain records of claim submissions and reconcile income received.
• Liaise with operational teams to collect required data for claims.
• Track all income streams including DES, LES, PCN, Primary Care Framework, Drugs income.
• Support financial administration of the PCN including ARRS workforce costs, PCN claims, and expenditure tracking.
• Record PCN income and expenditure accurately.
• Provide administrative and analytical support to the Financial Controller as needed.
• Assist with preparation for external accountants, auditors, and year-end processes.
• Follow financial controls and procedures at all times.
• Identify discrepancies or issues and elevate promptly.
• Maintain organised digital and paper records in line with data protection requirements.
• Handle sensitive financial and personal information confidentially.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of financial processes.
• Support ad-hoc finance tasks as requested.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

• Reliable, organised, and methodical.
• High integrity when handling confidential information.
• Proactive with a willingness to learn.
• Team player, supportive, and professional.
• Comfortable working in a busy administrative environment.

Qualifications

• Level 2 to 3 or equivalent bookkeeping qualification.

Experience

• Bookkeeping or finance administration experience.
• Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience with accounting software (e.g., Xero, Sage, QuickBooks).
• Competent in Excel and basic financial spreadsheets.
• Ability to work to deadlines and manage workload independently.
• Good communication skills and ability to work closely within a small finance team.
• Experience in NHS finance, General Practice, or PCN administration.
• Understanding of payroll processes.
• Experience with NHS claims (DES/LES/PCN etc).
• Experience with Xero accounting.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.