We are committed to helping our staff balance their work and home lives and ensure they feel supported, valued and appreciated so whilst you care for our patients and clients, we’ll take care of you. We offer many different ways of helping staff including career development opportunities, flexible working, good annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing packages and financial support systems. Joining the Trust also allows you access to a number of saving options via our salary sacrifice schemes and a wide range of discount opportunities with retailers and service providers. Job overview The Financial Management Department is responsible for delivering an effective financial management service within the Trust, providing strategic advice on business developments, annual planning and budget management. A fixed term Directorate Accountant role is being advertised which will provide financial advice and management accounting support to a range of Clinical and Corporate Directorates. This is an excellent role for an ambitious individual who likes challenges, is self-motivated and wants to use their financial skills to add value and understand how financial resources can be used to support service improvement. The ideal candidate will be a CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant or passed finalist, who is able to demonstrate a proven track record in financial management, academic success and with strong personal qualities, including communication skills, persuasion and team working. In return this post offers a breadth of experience and an excellent development opportunity. Main duties of the job Within the financial policies set out for each Directorate by the Head of Management Accounting Team:- • To provide financial advice and support to one or more Clinical Directorates in line with the delegation arrangements issued by the Chief. • Executive and as such will be a full member of the Directorate Team. • To be responsible for the preparation of the annual Financial Plan for the Directorates and for monitoring, correcting and formally reporting on the financial performance of the Directorates. • To influence the operational policies of the Directorates in order to optimise performance and efficiency. • To be responsible for the production of financial information contained within the Directorate’s annual Business Plan and the financial information provided in support of the production of cost pressure, service development and activity bids from the Directorate. • To facilitate the production of, and feedback from, annual Reference Costs. • To ensure that the Directorates’ decision making and financial activities comply with Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders, Schemes of Delegation and best practice. • To provide day to day supervision, leadership and guidance to more junior Directorate finance team colleagues. • To undertake specific projects as determined by Senior Staff within Financial Management team acting as his/her deputy. • To provide sound financial information to network partners. Working for our organisation You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives. This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for a period of 9 months due to maternity leave of the substantive post holder. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trusts legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts and statutory maternity provisions. Please also note any secondment must first be agreed with your current line manager. Person specification Qualifications Essential criteria • CCAB or CIMA Qualified Desirable criteria • Honours degree • Relevant Postgraduate Qualification Further Training Essential criteria • Evidence of current CPD Experience Essential criteria • Demonstrable experience of the full range of management accounting duties • Working Knowledge of finance and accounting practices, procedures and policies particularly pertinent to the NHS • Management of the co-ordination and direction of staff producing timely and accurate information. • Experience of financial systems and in particular demonstrably good IT skills including Advanced Excel skills and Budgeting software Desirable criteria • NHS Finance in an Acute Hospital • Experience of Integrated ledger systems • Access Database skills Special Skills/Aptitudes Essential criteria • High degree of numeracy. • Good written and verbal communication skills. • Interpersonal skills to communicate with external bodies. • A proven ability to work independently with clients managing discrete blocks of work. • Ability to meet deadlines through effective organisational and planning skills. • Concentration skills to undertake complex and involved analysis.