Senior Management Accountant
The closing date is 25 June 2026.
Due to a recent re‑organisation within our Finance Team we are looking to appoint an experienced Senior Management Accountant to join our Finance Team based in Wakefield. The role requires financial and budgetary expertise, excellent communication and negotiation skills. It is suitable for a self‑motivated professional who can work under pressure and meet deadlines.
The Senior Management Accountant will work closely with the Finance Manager delivering high quality, timely financial reporting and analysis to support decision making and financial control. The post holder will also be expected to support the senior Finance team, including report writing, forecasting, costing, budget setting, annual planning and expenditure analysis.
We support flexible working in line with the Trust’s flexible working policy and also offer an excellent study package for those wishing to continue professional qualifications.
Main duties of the job
* Provide high level financial expertise and advice to managers.
* Support managers with the development and delivery of the Annual Plan.
* Co‑ordinate, evaluate and review the production of monthly Management Reports.
* Produce detailed workings for budget setting, including evaluation, analysis and reconciliation to the Care Group’s financial plan.
* Provide financial advice to aid the production of Business Cases.
* Day‑to‑day operational management of Management accounts staff.
All employees are strongly encouraged to have an up‑to‑date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.
At the time of advertising, this role meets the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. Sponsorship can only be offered if the prorated salary meets the minimum salary threshold of £41,700.
About us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the West Yorkshire secure provider collaborative. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities.
Job responsibilities
* Provide high level financial expertise and advice to the senior finance manager and Care Group managers in the development and delivery of the Care Group Annual Plan.
* Co‑ordinate, evaluate and review the production of monthly Care Group Management Reports.
* Intelligence gathering and investigation of service issues to advise on financial risk and options for decision making.
* Provide financial advice and expertise in Business Case development, particularly concerning cost‑benefit analysis.
* Day‑to‑day operational management of management accounts staff.
* Lead within the Care Group; work in a multi‑disciplinary team using matrix working to deliver Care Group objectives.
Key Relationships
* Care Group Deputy Directors, managers and clinicians.
* Management Accounts team.
* Senior staff in finance including access to specialist expertise.
* Internal and external relationships with Care Group stakeholders and partners.
Key Result Areas
* Provide advice and training to Care Group managers to ensure compliance with Standing Financial instructions, Standing Orders, Financial Procedures and accounting policies.
* Provide analysis and information to senior finance staff for completion of returns for external bodies including Freedom of Information.
* Deliver accurate financial information to required timetables and detailed analysis to support statutory accounts.
Financial Strategy and Planning
* Support the Finance Manager in developing and maintaining the Care Group medium‑term financial plan.
* Provide financial support and advice for Care Group business planning for a portfolio of budget holders.
* Plan and deliver detailed costing and analysis work to support Care Group capital and revenue developments, including business cases and delivery of Cost Improvement Plans.
* Coordinate annual planning tasks and annual accounts analysis, including oversight and review of junior staff.
Financial Reporting and Management Accounting
* Coordinate and produce the detailed workings for budget setting, including evaluation, analysis and reconciliation to the Care Group’s financial plan.
* Coordinate and produce monthly management reports for the Care Group.
* Coordinate and undertake analysis and investigation of service issues arising from monthly reporting, including consideration of financial risk.
* Review and analyse complex variances and trend analysis.
* Undertake complex performance analysis using financial and non‑financial data.
* Support the Finance Manager in the production and interpretation of service line reporting.
* Provide professional financial support and advice for financial reporting to Care Group budget holders and other managers.
* Produce written financial reports to support decision making within the Care Group.
Person Specification
Special Knowledge/Skills
* Good understanding of the operation of financial ledger.
* Good understanding of annual planning cycle and accounts process.
* Good understanding of budget setting processes.
* Ability to produce clear reports and analysis that can be understood by finance managers and budget holders, providing reliable, relevant, accurate and timely information.
* Ability to provide financial leadership in multidisciplinary teams.
* Good understanding of financial processes, demonstrating ability to improve systems and processes.
* Understanding of external reporting and accounting policies in relation to annual accounts.
* Understanding of FT regulatory environment.
* Ability to lead a project team.
* Ability to develop good working relationships with budget holders and their teams.
* Evidence of advanced Excel skills.
* Understanding of mental health services.
Personal Attributes
* Effective time management.
* Effective team leader.
* Good verbal and written communication skills.
* Flexible to meet changes in priorities.
* Ability to travel across the Trust as appropriate.
Experience
* Track record of day‑to‑day management of a portfolio of budgets.
* Co‑ordinating detailed workings on budget setting, including evaluation, analysis and reconciliation to a financial plan.
* Co‑ordination of annual planning tasks and annual accounts analysis, including oversight and review of junior staff.
* Provision of high quality monthly financial management reports.
* Review and analysis of more complex variances, including trend analysis.
* Undertake complex performance analysis using financial and non‑financial data.
* Intelligence gathering to support senior staff in analysis and decision making.
* Problem solving and developing options for solutions.
* Financial advice and expertise in Business Case Development, especially cost/benefit analysis.
* High level quality advice and support to budget managers and non‑finance senior staff.
* Report writing to support service decision making.
* Track record of supervision and development of team.
* Delegation of work within a team and management of delivery to deadlines.
* Provision of senior technical support to project work internal and external to finance.
* Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams.
* Leadership or supervisory role undertaken.
* NHS experience.
* Foundation Trust experience.
* Experience in mental health provider.
* Using Shared Business Services Oracle system.
* Experience of presentation to finance and non‑finance audience.
* Experience of service line reporting.
Physical Attributes
* Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post, with a satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (considering fairness and equality of opportunity).
Qualifications
* AAT Qualified or relevant degree.
* Studying for CCAB Qualification.
* Evidence of personal development.
Employer name
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
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