Go back Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
Head of Financial Accounting
The closing date is 01 September 2025
The Head of Financial Accounting is a 'hands on' role, with the role holder having primary responsibility for maintaining the underlying financial records of the Trust, ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance. The Head of Financial Accounting also has primary responsibility for production of the Trust's annual financial statements and acts as the Trust's expert in financial accounting matters.
The Head of Financial Accounting manages a team of six staff covering accounts payable, credit control, procurement administration, income and expenses.
The key elements of the role are:
* Production of the annual accounts of the Trust in compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements
* Supervision of 6 staff members involved in all aspects of accounts payable, debtors and cash book
* Dealing with complex queries regarding debtors and creditors referred by Finance Officers and SBS
* To interpret and apply Dept. of Health and NHS policies and guidance, International Accounting Standards etc. advising the Director of Finance on the potential impact
* Responsibility for maintenance / improvement of the Trust's internal control environment (as it pertains to finance-related matters) including overseeing the monthly balance sheet / control account reconciliation process
* Responsibility for overseeing the accounts of the Trust's charitable funds
* Liaising with SBS, monitoring and reviewing contract performance
Main duties of the job
* Overall responsibility for planning and producing the annual accounts of the Trust, in compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements, including being the Trust lead with the external auditors and preparing papers for the Director of finance and the Audit Committee
* Interpretation and application of relevant statutory and regulator guidance and accounting standards, notably the NHS Foundation Trust annual reporting manual
* Liaise and negotiate with external auditors regarding the content of information provided in the Trust's Annual Accounts and Returns: For example the method of calculation of the Trusts Bad Debt Provision or the basis for the Partial Exemption VAT calculation
* Preparation of detailed working papers to satisfy external audit requirements
* Responsibility for securing the Agreement of Balances exercise. Negotiation with other NHS bodies where necessary and completing returns within the required deadlines.
* Specific responsibility for the balance sheet, fixed assets, debtors, creditors and cash flow statements.
This is not an exhaustive list, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role requirements and duties.
About us
THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT
The team is split by its core functions into Financial Management, Procurement, and Financial Accounting. The Trust currently outsources its general ledger functions to NHS Shared Business Services ("SBS").
Job responsibilities
The Head of Financial Accounting is a 'hands on' role, with the role holder having primary responsibility for maintaining the underlying financial records of the Trust, ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance. The Head of Financial Accounting also has primary responsibility for production of the Trust's annual financial statements and acts as the Trust's expert in financial accounting matters.
The Head of Financial Accounting manages a team of six staff covering accounts payable, credit control, procurement administration, income and expenses.
* Production of the annual accounts of the Trust in compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements
* Supervision of 6 staff members involved in all aspects of accounts payable, debtors and cash book
* Dealing with complex queries regarding debtors and creditors referred by Finance Officers and SBS
* To interpret and apply Dept. of Health and NHS policies and guidance, International Accounting Standards etc. advising the Director of Finance on the potential impact
* Responsibility for maintenance / improvement of the Trust's internal control environment (as it pertains to finance-related matters) including overseeing the monthly balance sheet / control account reconciliation process
* Responsibility for overseeing the accounts of the Trust's charitable funds
* Liaising with SBS, monitoring and reviewing contract performance
This is not an exhaustive list, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role requirements and duties.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* CCAB professional qualification Degree or equivalent level of tertiary education Evidence of post graduate / qualification study
Knowledge I Experience
* Significant post qualification experience as a financial accountant / financial controller / head of financial accounting
* Significant experience of preparing financial statements / accounts
* Significant experience of interpreting / applying international accounting standards
* Experience of NHS financial policies and processes
* Confident user of IT e.g. Microsoft Office, integrated financial ledger system, databases. Advanced Excel
* Able to form judgements and make autonomous decisions guided by policies and procedures
* Practical experience of financial accounting practices (preparation of reconciliations, accounts payable, credit control, banking etc.)
* Good communication skills, able to explain complex financial issues to non-finance managers
* Good analytical skills, able to solve complex financial and non financial problems
* Experience of managing a team
Personal Attributes
* Able to demonstrate a commitment to and a desire to live by the Trust's values.
* Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
* Ability to plan and prioritise the completion of high volume / complex tasks
* Motivates others
* Acts with integri and professionalism at all times
* Approachable both to staff, Finance colleagues and Trust budget managers
* Ability to negotiate and resolve disputes.
* Team player with a positive 'can do' attitude to objectives and challenges
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
£72,921 to £83,362 a year£72,921 - £83,362 per annum inclusive of Inner London HCAS
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