County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Corporate Group Accountant
The closing date is 13 May 2026
An exciting opportunity to recruit a suitably experienced and motivated Corporate Group Accountant to join our successful team within the award‑winning Financial Management function at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
The role is a key part of our finance team, providing financial support and guidance to the organisation and the Trust’s subsidiary company while supporting the financial strategy of the department. We seek an enthusiastic individual passionate about delivering the best care for patients.
We operate an agile working policy: team members are based on site for part of the week and have the option to work at home two days per week on a rota basis. We are an ACCA approved employer, CIMA premier partner and a member of the AAT Employer Scheme, and our department is One NHS Finance Future Focussed Finance Level 3 accredited.
Main duties of the job
* Provide financial management advice, information and support to Corporate and the Trust Subsidiary (SCL) management teams.
* Lead the interaction between CDDFT and SCL from a finance perspective, ensuring agreed tasks are completed on schedule.
* Act as the named individual for financial interactions between CDDFT and SCL.
* Deliver a comprehensive financial management and business advice service to Corporate Departments to facilitate the achievement of their overall service and business objectives.
* Support the Corporate Accountant with additional corporate financial responsibilities, including Annual Accounts, NHS I plans and returns, freedom of information requests, and liaison with internal and external audit.
* Monitor, report and advise on the current and forecast financial performance of the Corporate Areas, ensuring achievement of financial targets through action plans.
* Provide financial support during the Division’s business planning and contracting processes, analysing data and advising on revenue, capital, efficiencies and risks.
* Attend regular meetings with Corporate staff, deputise for the Corporate Accountant when required, and perform any other delegated duties.
* Manage the day‑to‑day operations of the financial management team, allocating workload, supporting recruitment, development, training and education, and conducting annual appraisals.
Job responsibilities
* Communicate closely and effectively with corporate and SCL service managers and other NHS or external agencies.
* Represent the Corporate Accountant at sub‑committees of the Corporates/SCL as directed.
* Advise Corporate Managers and other staff on the financial and economic implications of management policy and action, suggesting and implementing appropriate policies and procedures.
* Collaborate with the Corporate and Care group teams to review, develop and maintain systems of reporting financial performance, fostering continuous improvement.
* Ensure all production deadlines are met by managing workload and tasks for subordinate staff.
* Provide financial support during business planning and contracting, analysing data and advising on revenue, capital and potential efficiencies and risks.
* Attend and, when necessary, deputise for the Corporate Accountant at meetings with Corporate staff.
* Perform any other duties as delegated from time to time.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience working within a finance function.
* Experience using computerised finance systems; General Ledger and report‑writing software.
* Experience using Microsoft Office software applications.
* Experience working within NHS finance.
* Knowledge and experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures.
* Experience using Oracle General Ledger and Discoverer.
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Able to advise finance and non‑finance managers on matters relating to their own area.
* Strong communication and negotiation skills with staff at all levels within and outside the Trust.
* Clear and persuasive conveyance of current financial concepts.
* Proficient in producing and analysing business cases, including development and appraisal of options to optimise resource allocation.
* Effective planning and management of own team’s workload to meet deadlines.
* Advises others on compliance with the Corporate Governance Manual and applies accountability, transparency, integrity and public good principles.
* Supervises staff compliance with financial policies and procedures.
* Applies knowledge of the regulatory framework for risk management and advises on financial risk, controls and actions.
* Recognises opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness within own role and team.
* Actively seeks feedback from customers and stakeholders to drive continuous improvement.
* Excellent organisational, independent working, pressure management and communication skills.
* Strong influencing, analytical and negotiation skills.
* Knowledge of current NHS funding regime, financial developments and initiatives (e.g. Service Line Reporting, Patient Level Costing).
* Proficient in manipulating data within software to obtain management information.
* Capable of programming software to create new information formats suitable for accounting purposes and external use.
Qualifications
* CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification, passed finalist, or significant equivalent NHS Financial Management Experience working towards this qualification, or evidence of continued professional development.
Special Requirements
* Commitment to the continuous development of the finance department, innovating and improving performance.
* Ability to travel throughout the Trust area.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
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