Job overview
The post-holder will be providing support to the Financial Controller in the day to day management of the Technical Accounts and Reporting team within ELFS, responsible for providing control account and bank reconciliations, capital reporting, VAT reporting processes and the provision of Charitable Fund services to several NHS client organisations.
A key aspect of the role will involve reviewing clients control accounts, therefore, a thorough understanding of the balance sheet reconciliation process will be required to ensure that transactions have been correctly classified and all reconciling items investigated and cleared in a timely manner. The post-holder will be responsible for completing their own work as well as co-ordinating work of the team members to ensure that all financial information is processed in accordance with procedures.
The role will involve overseeing the control account and bank reconciliation processes as well as being responsible for the following specialist areas:
-Capital reporting
-Charitable Funds reporting
-VAT reporting
The role is considered a development opportunity, to allow the post holder to gain additional work experience whilst working towards a professional CCAB or CIMA qualification, to then progress to Band 7 with additional responsibilities.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Technical Accounts and Reporting section. The main duties entail:
1. Contribution to the departments business planning processes, streamlining of accounting processes and accounting systems, particularly with respect to the automation of routine tasks
2. Development of client relationships, ensure regular operational reviews are taking place with client organisations, resolve complex service/ system issues which involve communicating with a large range of stakeholders including staff across multiple organisations
3. Maintain timely and accurate balance sheet reconciliations undertaking, if necessary, certain key control account reconciliations and reviewing other reconciliations produced by the Financial Accounting team
4. Managing, delivering, and sustaining business procedures for all related processes and data related to the Financial Accounting team activities / processing
5. Overseeing the delivery of the specialist accounting services - VAT, Fixed Assets and Charitable Funds
Working for our organisation
ELFS Business Services was established on the 1st April 2002 and is now in its 23rd year of operation providing business shared services to NHS client organisations. We have a highly motivated workforce dedicated to providing high standard shared services excellence. We also have a reputation for developing excellent client relationships based on service satisfaction and high quality delivery.
You will manage Technical Accounts team which currently has 16 members and is responsible for providing financial accounting services (balance sheet reconciliations, VAT, capital, charitable funds) to the client organisations. The team provides a fantastic opportunity to gain valuable experience for future qualified accountants and you will be supported in the remaining stages of working towards a professional accountancy qualification. You will be working at a fast pace and to strict deadlines and therefore good organisational and multitasking skills as well as strong work ethics are essential.
We offer a hybrid working model - a mixture of office and home working with a minimum of 2 days a week in the office subject to annual review. The initial training period (minimum 3 months) is office based.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
6. Responsible for the overall management and performance of a nominated team within the Technical Accounts and Reporting section
7. Contribute to the departments business planning processes, streamlining of accounting processes and accounting systems, particularly with respect to the automation of routine tasks
8. Support the implementation of new technologies that meet business needs
9. Participate in the project work undertaken by or within financial accounting services.
10. Develop client relationships, ensure regular operational reviews are taking place with client organisations, resolve complex service/ system issues which involve communicating with a large range of stakeholders including staff across multiple organisations
11. Contribute to development and management of financial accounting Service Level Agreements and Key Performance Indicators.
12. Support Financial Controller in onboarding of new clients for the Financial Accounting services via due diligence processes and agreement of SLAs and KPIs.
13. Maintain timely and accurate balance sheet reconciliations undertaking, if necessary, certain key control account reconciliations and reviewing other reconciliations produced by the financial accounting team
14. Managing, delivering, and sustaining business procedures for all related processes and data related to Financial Accounting team activities / processing
15. To co-ordinate with colleagues with ELFS the Dept of Health year end and Agreement of Balances exercises on behalf of client organisations, lead on the agreement of income element of the process within the financial accounting team
16. Manage the preparation and complete elements of the Charitable Funds statutory accounts in line with Charity Commission and accounting guidelines requirements. Ensure monthly Charitable Funds services are delivered to clients in accordance with agreed client SLAs
17. Managing the Fixed Asset reporting and Capital Accounting requirements of client organisations, ensuring these are managed in line with reporting deadlines and NHS definitions and internal controls. Support the Senior Accountancy Assistant - Capital with the development of the fixed asset databases in line with changes in accounting procedures and practice
18. Oversee the delivery of VAT services, ensure VAT returns are submitted in accordance with HMRC requirements. Monitor impending changes to VAT Contracted Out Services and Making Tax Digital and make recommendations to ensure compliance with HMRC legislation
19. To be responsible for own continual professional development and that of all direct reports. To be actively engaged in developing staff within the team and providing training & support to operational managers
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
20. In the final stages of studying towards CCAB or CIMA qualification
Desirable criteria
21. •Educated to degree/master’s level or equivalent level of experience
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
22. Experience of working in a Finance environment dealing with large volumes of transactions
23. Ability to analyse and problem solve highly complex issues, to exercise sound judgement in the face of conflicting pressures and deadlines
24. Experience of taking responsibility for a programme of work with minimal supervision
25. Experience of communicating with and presenting financial advice to a range of audiences at all levels
26. Line Management and Training Experience
27. Project Work Experience
Desirable criteria
28. Experience within an NHS healthcare environment and/or shared service provider
29. Knowledge of VAT regulations, in particular those relating to Contracted Out Services
30. Experience of Charitable Funds reporting
31. Experience of Capital Reporting
32. Up to date knowledge of NHS accounting and reporting regime
33. Hands on experience of operating, recording and implementing/improving financial services