Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Financial Accountant
Closing date: 25 June 2026
About the Trust
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provide acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas.
Role Summary
The post holder will support the Associate Director of Financial Services and Payroll in delivering high‑quality financial accounting, statutory reporting and robust financial governance across the Trust, providing senior operational and technical leadership across financial services functions.
Responsibilities
- Provide operational oversight across Financial Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Capital Accounting and Financial Systems, and support the production of statutory accounts, balance sheet and cash flow reporting.
- Coordinate and lead internal and external audit activities, including preparation of working papers and supporting schedules.
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards, NHS financial requirements, Standing Financial Instructions and Trust policies, escalating complex issues to senior management.
- Manage audit recommendations and implement agreed actions.
- Ensure robust financial controls are embedded across Financial Services processes.
- Lead the development, maintenance and review of financial procedures and standard operating procedures.
- Monitor service performance, risks and issues, providing assurance and escalation to the Associate Director.
- Support preparation and monitoring of cash flow and working capital information, contributing to internal and external reporting.
- Oversee capital accounting processes and maintenance of the fixed asset register.
- Coordinate VAT accounting activities and liaise with external advisers.
- Act as senior operational lead for financial systems, ensuring data integrity, controls and effective use.
- Support implementation of new finance systems, upgrades and process changes.
- Identify and lead opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and resilience within Financial Services processes.
- Provide specialist advice on accounting standards and complex financial issues to Directors, Senior Managers and other staff.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- CCAB or CIMA qualified.
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
Experience
- Significant financial accounting and staff management experience at a senior level in a large complex organisation.
- Proven track record of managing budgets, financial planning, reporting and performance data analysis.
- Experience managing highly complex projects and implementing financial systems.
- Experience producing working papers to support annual accounts production.
Skills
- Effective communication with all disciplines and seniorities.
- Interpretation of complex financial information.
- Strong negotiating, influencing and change leadership.
- Proven leadership and staff management, mentoring and coaching.
- Handling difficult and emotional situations.
Knowledge
- Detailed understanding of NHS Financial Regime and accounting standards.
- Strong computer literacy, especially Microsoft Office.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
Additional
- Flexible approach to work.
- Proactive, solution‑oriented.
- Perseverance, flexibility, determination and adaptability.
- Team worker able to collaborate and delegate.
- Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
- Creative and innovative.
- Ability to travel between hospital sites.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.
Salary
£57,528 to £64,750 per annum, pro rata.
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full‑time, Part‑time, Job share, Flexible working
Contact
For an informal discussion, please contact Shirley Martland shirley.martland@wwl.nhs.uk
