Job Overview University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for the detailed job description of the role. This post is only open to internal applicants Main duties of the job We currently have a new opportunity for a qualified Accountant to join our fast-paced and dynamic Finance Team which supports a £1bn Acute Foundation Trust. This role is a key part of the senior finance team at UHS, providing overall leadership to the organisation, Wessex Cancer Alliance (WCA), and supporting the achievement of the finance team vision. We are supportive, flexible and collaborative and are committed to your career development with us. We are looking to encourage a diversity of talent at UHS, so if you are working in the public or private sector, we would love to hear from you. Working for our organisation University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations. Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast. We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information. At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients. At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute. Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities To provide financial and commercial analysis of WCA clinical and non-clinical activities, including NHS and non-NHS contracts and partnerships. Undertake financial performance monitoring on the WCA’s third-party and NHS contracts. To oversee the preparation and delivery of the monthly management accounts for WCA, working with the Senior Finance Manager on Strategic projects on the monthly reporting, trend, and variance analysis. To manage the financial governance system for the WCA, including the staff recruitment approval process, new third-party arrangements, and contracts. Support the Senior Finance Manager in developing the financial models and scenario appraisals within Business Cases for new services or investments. To monitor the WCA Programme and projects and report regularly to WCA, ICB and NHS England on performance against the programme. Support WCA budget and financial plans, financially challenging Budget Managers to optimise the WCA’s financial, contractual, and commercial position, working with the Senior Finance Manager, Strategic Projects, to produce the annual and longer-term financial plans for WCA as required. To work as part of the Strategic Finance team, ensuring clear, concise, and professional communication always. Main Responsibilities Oversee the preparation and delivery of WCA monthly management accounts in line with the month-end timetable. To manage the financial performance and monitoring of WCA NHS and third-party contracts and partnerships Managing reporting of WCA Projects and Programmes to WCA, ICB and NHS England, including production of Quarterly monitoring reports. Manage the financial governance within the WCA, ensuring material financial commitments are made in line with the Trust’s SFIs and other financial policies. This will include the recruitment of new staff, the financial commitment to new third-party arrangements and leases. Supporting Senior Finance Manage,r Strategic Projects in the costing and financial modelling of new Business Cases for investment. This will include highly complex financial modelling, ensuring accuracy and completeness of calculations and stress testing alternate scenarios for consideration and financial appraisal. Providing a clear and concise supporting narrative for the financial aspects of the Business Case to inform the financial decision-making process. This will include analysing highly complex financial information and will require sound judgement regarding allocation of finances and financial decisions and risks, often where there is no precedent and where other leading opinions may conflict. Contribute to the budget setting and financial planning process within WC,A advisingthe WCA leadership team on financial envelopes, strategy, and risks. Support Senior Finance Manager Strategic Projects in developing the annual and three-year balanced financial plan and provide clear written deliverables that sets out the plan and business planning assumptions for WCA. Support the year-end preparation for WCA reviewing accruals, prepayments, provisions, and stock balances to ensure statutory/NHS accounts and returns are accurate and meet financial timescales and legal requirements. Establish and proactively maintain constructive relationships with a broad range of diverse internal and external stakeholders and groups. Specifically collaborate effectively with colleagues in other finance teams such as the period end team, income management and the education, training, and workforce team to maximise efficiency and accuracy of each other’s work and objectives. Communications within this role will involve the provision and receipt of contentious and/or highly complex information where co-operation or agreement from service managers and clinicians will be required. This communication will include the explanation of complex financial concepts. Working with WCA Leadership Team to ensure that WCA budget holders and budget managers are aware of their responsibilities to comply with standing financial instructions and receive sufficient ongoing training to allow them to discharge their responsibilities for the budgets. This should include creating and maintaining a culture of ongoing systematic review of the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of service provision within WCA to maximise the resources available for patient care. Person specification Qualifications / Training Required Essential criteria Professional qualification (CCAB) in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA) or exceptional finalist with strong first degree and professional examination results. Current / recent experience in a finance environment Desirable criteria Current / recent knowledge and understanding of the NHS financial environment. Previous or relevant experience necessary Essential criteria Knowledge of designing and working with spreadsheets. Detailed understanding of budgetary control processes and budget setting / financial planning. Broad understanding of financial accounting and control issues. Understanding of financial information systems and with the ability to extract relevant information. Advanced analytical skills with the ability to clearly communicate the results of such analysis Excellent communicator both verbally and in writing. Experience of Financial project management/Financial appraisal and forecasting. Desirable criteria Ability to make use of systems (e.g., Excel, Word) to prepare and present accurate, clear information and reports. Experience of working within an NHS management accounts team. Previous experience of working with Oracle Finance systems. Record of improving processes and reporting in previous roles. Values and behaviours Essential criteria Patients First Always Improving Working Together