This post is one of two Divisional Accountant roles in our Financial Management Team, that play a key tactical position to support Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust to respond appropriately to a dynamic and complex financial environment. The post holder will report to a Head of Divisional Finance, working as part of a wider, dynamic team in delivering an effective Financial Management service supporting operational managers and staff across our clinical divisions. Main duties of the job The main duties of the Divisional Accountant include, but are not limited to: • To act as Junior Business Partner to the Divisions, providing numbers and expert advice at Divisional Review meetings and to Divisional Managers and to the Trust Executive Team as and when required • To work closely with the Core Team to produce monthly management accounts which have integrity and support Divisions individually, and consequently the Trust as a whole, in achieving their financial objectives • To support Divisions with the preparation of annual budgets • To produce ongoing advice to budget holders on managing and understanding their expenditure variances • To ensure compliance with Trust and NHS policies and procedures • To provide financial input into business plans, investment proposals and options appraisals • To propose and design modifications to financial processes to suit changes in business patterns and organisational structures • To ensure by persuasion, negotiation and effective process management that corrective actions agreed by Divisions and individuals are delivered within the agreed timescales • To provide training in financial management to non-financial managers About us Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations: 1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development 2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability 3. Improving the experience of staff with disability 4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development 5. Making equalities mainstream Job responsibilities Financial Management • Act as a financial adviser to the Division/s to which the postholder is aligned, including making a very significant contribution to the Divisions business planning and financial monitoring processes • Ensure that relevant regulations and standards are met • Support Finance Business Partners (FBPs) and Heads of Divisional Finance (HoDF) on system and process enhancement projects • Supporting in the devising and implementation of strategies to enable the financial management service to keep in step with business developments, thereby ensuring the continued production of high-quality financial management information to Trust deadlines. • Collation and presentation of financial reports to the Board, Management Executive and Divisional teams • Working with members of these groups to define their particular reporting requirements and to work with colleagues in other areas to deliver acceptable solutions to those requirements • Providing briefing papers for senior management on specific issues Leading on the follow up of actions points arising from those reviews and chasing delivery of agreed actions, including exercising judgement on relative priorities • Developing and implementing improved internal reports designed to deliver advanced cost and activity information whilst ensuring that appropriate authorisation controls are implemented • Identifying, and sharing with colleagues, areas of good practice • Developing and refining the systems and processes used within the department • Deputising for FBPs and HoDF as and when required • Designing and delivering training geared towards achieving a customer focus Devising means of cultivating a customer focussed culture within the department • Interpreting national standards and guidance and preparing briefing notes for finance staff • Developing and maintaining procedures for the department Financial Governance • Plan, implement, monitor and review the development of financial systems used for financial management ensuring they deliver value for money, efficiency and quality • Ensure internal audit reports are responded to in a timely manner. • Promote all matters of corporate governance (including development and improvement of arrangements) throughout the Trust. • Ensure the Directorates policies, procedures and Trusts Standing Financial Instructions are strictly adhered to. • Contribute to the development of systems, control processes and risk management that ensure full compliance with internal and external governance and best practice requirements relating to contracting, commissioning, financial projects and costing processes. Qualifications Essential • CCAB/ CIMA Qualified • Evidence of continued professional development Experience Essential • Proven track record of strong involvement in delivering excellence in financial reporting in a healthcare organisation • Significant experience of working in a NHS Organisation • Performance management experience • Staff management experience at a senior level • Successful track record of working in high performing multi-disciplinary teams delivering challenging targets and achieving results • Experience of working autonomously and independently • Experience in interpreting national guidance and implementing locally • Experience of assisting an organisation in delivering cost improvement programmes Knowledge and Skills Essential • Able to engage, influence and hold the respect of a wide range of managers and clinicians • Ability to hold people to account for their agreed actions • Able to look at the big picture as well as the detail • Understanding of NHS national reforms and policies • Able to undertake rigorous analysis and produce cogent recommendations • Able to work fast under pressure at times of high workload and competing priorities • Able to build and work through effective relationships within the organisation • Able to understand complex situations and distil these into a simple analysis and messages • High levels of motivation, enthusiasm and tenacity