*The closing date for this position is the 26 th May* Support Accountant Band 7 Greenmount House, Ballymena Temporary (Approx 5 months) £24.45 per hour 37.5 hours per week Main Purpose The Support Accountant will assist the Divisional Accountant in providing a range of business support services to individual operational Directors, senior operational, managers, clinicians and budget managers in order to achieve effective financial management and support the drive for continuous improvement in service delivery in line with the strategic objectives of the Trust. This will include the production of regular, meaningful financial analysis reports to facilitate effective budgetary control at Directorate level and assisting the Divisional Accountant in analysing and evaluating complex problems. The post-holder will assist the Divisional Accountant in undertaking the financial aspects of budget setting, service re-profiling, service developments/retractions and other ad-hoc financial costings as required. The post-holder will deputise for the Divisional Accountant as and when required. Main Roles and Responsibilities •Support the Divisional Accountant in maintaining effective financial control within allocated Directorates. •Assist with the production of the Trust Board monthly report. •Assist with commissioner liaison in relation to the negotiation of the service and budget agreements relevant to the Directorates. •Liaise with the Central Financial Management Team to ensure that all relevant service and budgetary agreements, adjustments and funding for other service developments are accurately reflected within the Directorates in order to maintain accurate financial reporting and effective financial control. •Support Directorate management teams in formulating plans for change, articulating risks and appraising options. •Assist with the provision of expert analysis, interpretation and evaluation of financial and non-financial data. •Assist with the monthly production of written assessment of the financial position for the Directorate. This will include a commentary on the relationship between different types of performance information (activity, workforce). Budget Setting and Control •Assist with the annual budget setting process for the Directorate, making recommendations for change to the budget setting policy. •Assist in the production of regular and meaningful income and expenditure information to budget managers. •Assist in the development of improved ways of reporting financial information in conjunction with budget managers. •Assist in the development of cash and non-cash release efficiency savings plans for the Directorate. •Support the Divisional Accountant in the early identification of threats to the financial stability of the Trust by highlighting risks within the Directorate and agreeing rectification measures. Corporate Financial Reporting •Assist with the provision of management accounting information for inclusion in the Trust’s final accounts. •Liaise with internal and external audit on matters relating to the financial management function as appropriate. Support Services to Budget Managers •Ensure that all budget managers within relevant Directorates are provided with accurate and meaningful financial information to enable them to manage their service within available resources including as necessary option appraisals and service development proposals. •Through the variance analysis process assist the Divisional Accountant in producing meaningful forecasts of year-end outturn, developing strategies for achieving breakeven and managing associated risks. Liaise with budget managers to review financial performance and where necessary instigate further investigation to ensure remedial action is implemented and balanced budgets are achieved. Essential Criteria: (Please note that Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd require original certificates as proof of all qualifications listed on CV) Full membership of one of the five professional accounting institutes within the CCAB, or CIMA; AND Minimum of 2 years relevant* finance experience at supervisory level. Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post. Ability to influence and negotiate with staff at senior levels both internal and external to the Trust. Ability to analyse highly complex data and to communicate subsequent analysis. Ability to plan and work effectively within timescales and deadlines. Ability to review and challenge current processes in own area and throughout the organisation where there is a financial impact. Ability to manage and motivate staff. Have extensive working knowledge of ICT systems to include Microsoft Office, in particular having advanced Microsoft Excel skills or other data analytical tools. Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and a Corporate Member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd adheres to all current employment legislation. We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date, should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please send your CV as early as possible. Please note only those candidates shortlisted may be contacted. Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK and Ireland. We are unable to sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Successful candidates may need to apply for an Access NI Certificate with Platinum Recruitment NI Ltd regardless if you already have a valid certificate. It will be a cost of between £16 - £32 depending on clearance level.