Financial Controller in Milton Keynes

Watling Street Practice & Primary Care Network are looking to employ a part time Financial Controller, working up to 30 hours per week across 4 days. 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.

Main duties of the job

The Financial Controller will report to the Business Manager while providing line management to our Accounts Assistant. Our Financial Controller will be required to manage the Practice and PCN day‑to‑day accounting operations, ensuring financial accuracy, compliance, and internal controls. They are responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management, and they also help shape financial strategy and can lead the finance team.

Hours, Salary and Benefits

• 24 - 30 hours per week, worked across 3 or 4 days
• £25.65 - £28.21 per hour (depending on skills and experience)
• 28 days annual leave (pro‑rated), 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

About us

Watling Street Practice (WSP) is a partnership of 11 equity partners and Watling Street PCN (WSN) is a limited company. Together, WSP and WSN provide General Practice services to approximately 42,000 patients from our 3 clinical and 1 administrative locations. Jointly, WSP and WSN turnover around £6.8 million per annum and we employ around 140 staff.

Job responsibilities

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare annual budgets in collaboration with the Partners, Business Manager and senior management team.
• Produce timely monthly, quarterly, and annual management accounts, including variance analysis and commentary.
• Develop financial forecasts and multi‑year financial plans to support strategic decision‑making.
• Provide financial insight to the Partners & Business Manager, highlighting risks, opportunities, and trends.
• Prepare year‑end financial information for external accountants and auditors for Watling Street Practice, a Partnership.
• Prepare year‑end financial information for external accountants and auditors for Watling Street PCN, a Limited Company.

Cash Flow & Financial Controls

• Produce regular cash flow forecasts and monitor liquidity to ensure operational stability.
• Oversee financial controls, ensuring compliance with internal procedures and relevant regulation.
• Monitor income streams (GMS, enhanced services, PCN income, private work etc.) to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure timely payment runs and appropriate management of creditors and debtors.

Budget Management

• Monitor budget performance across all four sites, identifying variances and advising on corrective actions.
• Support domain leads and managers with budget understanding and cost control.
• Provide detailed financial modelling for workforce planning, service development, and investment decisions.
• Supervise and support the accounts assistant, ensuring high‑quality bookkeeping and financial administration.
• Review bookkeeping entries, bank reconciliations, payroll postings, and monthly accruals/prepayments.
• Ensure financial data is correctly recorded in accounting systems and that processes are followed consistently.
• Provide training and guidance to the accounts assistant to support development and accuracy.

Operational & Strategic Support

• Work closely with the Business Manager and Partners on cost improvement initiatives.
• Contribute financial analysis to business cases, service expansion, capital expenditure decisions, and premises projects.
• Liaise with external stakeholders such as accountants, banks, NHS bodies, and payroll providers.
• Oversee financial compliance with NHS funding rules and reporting requirements.
• Ensuring compliance with the requirements of the NHS Pension Scheme (support will be provided by external Payroll Providers and Accountant).
• Ensuring continued participation in the NHS Pension Scheme for staff employed by the PCN.
• Provide support to the Business Manager to ensure compliance with companies house requirements for the running of Watling Street PCN Limited.
• Oversee payroll for WSP and PCN (payroll managed by external providers).

Person Specification

Qualifications

• AAT Level 4, part‑qualified ACCA/CIMA, or equivalent professional training.

Experience

• Demonstrable experience in a finance manager or senior finance role.
• Experience producing budgets, management accounts, and cash flow forecasts.
• Strong understanding of bookkeeping and financial control processes.
• Ability to interpret financial information clearly for non‑financial stakeholders.
• Proficiency with accounting software (e.g., Xero, Sage, QuickBooks) and advanced Excel skills.
• Experience supervising or mentoring finance staff.
• Experience in primary care, NHS finance, or healthcare sector.
• Experience working in multi‑site organisations.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proactive and improvement‑oriented mindset.
• Integrity and confidentiality in handling sensitive financial information.

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.