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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage day-to-day accounting operations and ensure financial accuracy for a healthcare practice.
- Company: Join Watling Street Practice, a dynamic NHS partnership serving 42,000 patients.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive pay, excellent NHS pension, and 28 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare finance while enjoying work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance management and proficiency in accounting software required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 25 - 28 £ per hour.
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.
Hours, Salary and Benefits
- Conversations around flexible working and compressed hours are encouraged.
- 24 – 30 hours per week, worked across 3 or 4 days
- £25.65 – £28.21 per hour (depending on skills and experience)
- An excellent NHS pension scheme
- 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 3 clinical and 1 administrative locations. Jointly, WSP and WSN turnover around £6.8 million per annum and we employ around 140 staff.
Job description and responsibilities
The Financial Controller will report to the Business Manager while providing line management to our Accounts Assistant. The 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.
Key duties include:
- Financial Planning & Reporting: 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 (Partnership) and Watling Street PCN (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, identify variances and advise 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.
- Bookkeeping Oversight & Line Management: 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 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
Desirable: AAT Level 4, part-qualified ACCA/CIMA, or equivalent professional training.
Experience
Essential: 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.
Desirable: Experience in primary care, NHS finance, or healthcare sector. Experience working in multi-site organisations. Proficiency with accounting software Xero.
Key Competencies
Essential: 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 checks
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.
Employer details
Employer name: Watling Street Network PCN
Address: 7 Keller Close, Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes, MK13 3LL
Employer site: Watling Street Network PCN
Financial Controller in Milton Keynes employer: Watling Street Practice
Contact Detail:
Watling Street Practice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Milton Keynes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who have experience in the NHS or primary care. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial knowledge and understanding of NHS funding rules. We recommend practising common interview questions with a friend or using mock interview tools to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring along examples of your previous work, like budgets or financial reports, to demonstrate your expertise during interviews. This will help you stand out as a candidate who knows their stuff.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Controller role. Highlight your relevant experience in finance management, budgeting, and reporting. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team at Watling Street Practice. Share specific examples of your achievements and how they relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your proficiency with accounting software and your analytical skills. We love candidates who can interpret financial information clearly, so make sure to highlight this in your application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications better and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Watling Street Practice
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets, cash flow forecasts, and financial reporting in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves supervising an Accounts Assistant, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led a team. Highlight any mentoring experiences and how you’ve improved processes or performance in your past positions.
✨Understand the NHS Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the NHS funding rules and financial compliance requirements. Showing that you understand the unique challenges of finance in the healthcare sector will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Prepare for scenarios where you might need to analyse financial data or make decisions based on budget variances. Practising these types of questions can help you articulate your thought process clearly.
