Overview
Job summary
An exciting new opportunity has arisen for an experienced financial accountant/controller looking to enhance their career. The post holder will be one of two Senior Financial Controllers supporting the Head of Financial Services to ensure that all internal and external reporting is completed in an accurate and timely manner.
The post holder will be an important leader within the Finance Directorate and in the wider organisation, responsible for Financial Accounts, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Treasury Management & Cashiers, Capital Accounting/Planning, Charitable Funds and Financial Systems. The role offers exposure to influencing change and strengthening financial control within a leading Mental Health provider within the NHS. The team aims to deliver a "right first time" service with a customer focus, aligned to the Trust values of Respectful, Open, Collaborative, Compassionate and Consistent. The department is transforming to operate more efficiently, embedding automation to improve reporting times and support operational service managers to deliver patient care and value for money.
Main duties of the job
The postholder is responsible for all aspects of financial control within the financial services team to ensure a quality financial service for the Trust, including:
* monthly and annual NHS financial reporting requirements including statutory financial returns
* internal control procedures, including reconciliations
* timely and accurate processing of transactions and completion of control checks to enable variance analysis on trends and forecasts
* day to day management of the financial services function including Accounts Payable, Treasury, Financial Accounts and Financial Systems teams
* managing and developing staff
* delivering world class financial systems
* supporting annual budget and long-term financial planning
Technical accountancy, IT literacy and staff management skills are essential. The candidate should be CCAB qualified (finalist/qualified), preferably with NHS experience. Strong leadership, communication, presentation and analytical skills are required, with experience handling difficult situations professionally.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti-racist. We aim to co-produce and involve local communities in all we do. We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment for our people and their careers.
We are transforming to support our mission of Making Life Better Together and have opened two new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital with further developments planned.
Job description
Job responsibilities
* Lead the production of the Trust’s statutory annual accounts, providing comprehensive procedure notes, high quality working papers and a detailed plan and timetable to all finance and appropriate non-finance staff to ensure completion of the accounts in line with local and national deadlines.
* Produce the year-end timetable and procedures to enable the production of annual accounts within the Department of Health and Social Care timetable and in accordance with statutory and accounting (GAAP/IFRS) requirements; ensure compliance with GAM for year-end and any in-year changes to accounting standards.
* Ensure all finance staff have up-to-date knowledge of current accounting standards and that the Trust’s accounts are compiled accordingly.
* Be responsible for the quarterly Agreement of Balances exercise, including submission of templates to national deadlines, issuing statements and reconciling values to the ledger.
* Be responsible for month-end and year-end processes across a broad range of financial accounting tasks, producing schedules for external statutory accounts and returns to DHSC, NHS England, ICB, etc.
* Work with external auditors during audits and respond to auditor queries in a timely manner.
* Lead analytical review of the SOFP/SOCF and Capital areas, interpreting complex information for internal and external stakeholders.
* Explain complex auditor queries to non-finance staff to ensure timely responses.
* Liaise with counter fraud, internal and external audit to implement best practice and ensure audit actions are communicated and implemented across the Trust.
* Prepare and manage the balance sheet, cash flow, working capital and capital financial metrics; identify risks and mitigating strategies and convey information clearly.
* Support the Head of Financial Services in cash flow monitoring and forecasting to ensure sufficient liquidity.
* Manage cash and balance sheet with the Head of Financial Services and Deputy Director of Finance to meet internal solvency ratios.
* Lead on administration, authorisation and receipt of PDC/New Business Loans for capital schemes.
* Lead treasury management procedures, ensuring accurate cashflow reports and supporting treasury activities with the Senior Accountant Treasury.
* Develop stakeholder relationships with banks, debtors, creditors and VAT consultants; ensure bank account controls, up-to-date bank mandates and payment processing cover.
* Develop and review detailed financial policies and procedures for the financial accounting functions, ensuring updates align with Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions, and are communicated across the Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* CCAB qualified
* Related degree or equivalent qualification
* Commitment and evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
* Interest in developing personal and technical skills to support further career development
Experience
Essential
* Financial Accounting experience or equivalent
* Demonstrable experience in the NHS Finance sector
* Knowledge of IFRS and VAT
* At least two years’ experience supervising/managing and developing staff
* Creating new/improved systems and procedures to streamline duties
Desirable
* Experience of producing annual NHS accounts
* Knowledge of e-financials system, ESR payroll system and CARS fixed asset system
Knowledge
Essential
* Experience of using computerised financial systems and reporting tools
* Treasury Management - maintaining positive cashflow position and ensuring good banking relationships
Desirable
* Ability to interpret health service policy on finance, cash and capital and apply to the development of policies and processes in the Trust.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
* Ability to read, interpret and implement national policy and guidance
* Able to concentrate for prolonged periods, manage interruptions and work under pressure
* Strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing; clear, concise and courteous interaction with all levels of staff with adaptable communication style
* Ability to influence, persuade and motivate staff
* Ability to make reasoned judgments on financial risks where opinions may differ
* Ability to identify risks, anticipate issues and create solutions for project or service delivery
* Neat and precise working methods; maintain complete and accurate working papers and filing structures
Desirable
* Capital investment decision-making techniques
* HFMA Member
* Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including macros, SQL
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the DBS may be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details
Employer name
South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Address
Tolworth Hospital, Red Lion Road, London, KT6 7QU
Employer's website
#J-18808-Ljbffr