Job overview
The post holder will support the Divisional Finance Manager in providing comprehensive financial management and support service to the nominated Division, providing a full range of advice to the Divisional General Manager on Divisional, Specialty and Departmental budgets and will be expected to lead on numerous ad-hoc projects.
Providing support and assistance into the Financial Management team, Financial Accounts, Income & Costing teams within Finance.
The role is wide ranging, encompassing financial performance management and business planning matters which are integral to the achievement of the Division’s financial targets. A proactive approach is essential to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently.
Main duties of the job
⮚⬝Producing and assisting in the development of accurate monthly budgetary and associated information
⮚⬝ Reporting to the Divisional Finance Manager upon the monthly performance of a range of designated budgets highlighting any significant movements.
⮚⬝ Advising, supporting and being a point of contact to budget managers within the Trust.
⮚⬝ Support Innovation and the Finance ‘Continuous Improvement’ Agenda in day to day working.
⮚⬝ Will act as a senior staff member to ensure the efficient and effective running of the Financial Management department
Working for our organisation
The Finance Department has been at the forefront of change and continual improvement and has won a national HFMA award for embracing technology as well as the Public Sector Finance award for Training & Development. The Department is both FSD and FFF level 3 accredited so there is no better time to join this inspiring team.
We actively participate in mentoring and coaching programmes and all staff have opportunities for protected learning time.
Joining our inclusive and innovative team comes with a range of benefits including flexible working arrangements, training e.g. apprenticeship options, a generous pension scheme and annual leave allowance.
The Trust is committed to the continuous improvement of services and has adopted a lean-based improvement practice to support this. Participation in improvement initiatives is positively encouraged with opportunity to access training to support improvement work.
Future Focused Finance
At ELHT, the finance team are committed to embedding the Four Strengths Framework. This covers the four key attributes the NHS Finance Leadership Council have created to ensure NHS finance departments are capable of playing their part in a modern, patient-centred NHS. All applicants for ELHT finance roles will be assessed against the four strengths as part of the interview and assessment process.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Financial Planning & Budgeting
· Support the Senior Divisional Finance Manager in delivering accurate, costed budgets aligned with service plans and efficiency targets.
· Provide financial advice, analysis, and reporting for the Division’s Waste Reduction Programme (WRP), ensuring mandates and reconciliations are completed.
· Guide Finance staff during annual budget setting, ensuring outputs reflect true financial requirements.
· Maintain and reconcile recurring and non-recurring financial and staffing budgets monthly.
Performance Management & Reporting
· Deliver expert financial advice on budgets, expenditure, income, PLICS, and procurement to help achieve financial objectives.
· Lead month-end processes, ensuring accurate Divisional and Directorate positions. Provide timely budget reports and meet with budget holders to address issues early.
· Produce monthly written and verbal reports highlighting overspends, variances, and corrective actions for Trust Board inclusion.
· Prepare detailed monthly forecasts, identifying emerging pressures and mitigation plans.
· Develop reporting systems linking variances to activity, manpower, and quality targets. Coordinate income, activity, and cost analysis.
· Identify efficiency opportunities and monitor delivery of savings. Maximise income opportunities across Divisions and Trust.
· Attend performance meetings, providing financial input and participating in strategic discussions.
· Explain reference costs and PLICS for specialties and review overhead allocation methods.
Business Planning
· Contribute to Divisional and Directorate Business Plans aligned with Trust objectives.
· Support preparation of business cases and funding bids, ensuring robust costing and financial appraisal.
· Quantify and incorporate service changes into budgets and create frameworks to measure benefits.
Income & Activity
· Assist operational managers in maximising service performance through income and activity analysis.
· Support Trust-wide systems for Payment by Results and improve HRG costing methodology using accurate data.
Internal Financial Control
· Ensure compliance with Trust Standing Orders, Financial Instructions, and procedures.
· Maintain authorised signature lists and schemes of delegation for exchequer and charitable funds.
· Review and improve business processes for efficiency and control, e.g., stock routines.
· Liaise with internal and external auditors, implementing recommendations promptly.
Staff Management
· Manage Financial Management support staff, identifying training needs and ensuring Personal Development Plans.
· Oversee recruitment and selection in line with Trust policies.
· Engage in annual reviews and personal development planning. Promote equality and diversity.
· Support Finance Staff Development agenda, maintain Level 3 accreditation, and participate in Future Focused Finance initiatives.
Finance Continuous Improvement
· Lead projects to improve finance operations and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Communication
· Use motivational and influencing skills to encourage collaboration and overcome resistance to change.
· Communicate effectively on sensitive issues, promote innovation, and build team ethos.
Training & Development
· Ensure mandatory and professional training compliance.
· Provide coaching to finance staff and train non-finance managers on financial responsibilities.
· Enable learning and development and participate in Future Focused Finance.
Professional Responsibilities
· Maintain professional registration or student status with a UK-recognised accounting body and adhere to its code of conduct.
Compliance & Governance
· Comply with employment legislation, equality and diversity standards, Health & Safety, infection control, sustainability, and safeguarding requirements.
· Adhere to Data Protection Act and Trust policies, including Standing Orders and Financial Instructions.
· Follow Research Governance Framework when undertaking research.
· Attend mandatory training and declare outside interests to avoid conflicts.
· Contribute to annual development reviews and maintain high standards of conduct aligned with Trust values: respect, integrity, patient focus, positive change, and community service.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Finalist or Qualified CCAB/ CIMA accountant with evidence of continued professional development
Desirable criteria
* Degree (Honours) or equivalent qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
* Evidence of management accounts experience
Personal Skills & Communication
Essential criteria
* Have the ability to communicate complex financial information effectively, using verbal, written, or presentational skills, required to inform decision making.
* Proven negotiation skills with the ability to secure co-operation and agreement with budget holders
* Have the ability to speak in a professional manner to all levels of personnel
* Organisational Self-motivated and able to manage time effectively, prioritise and organise short, medium and long term agenda and deliver to agreed deadlines
* Consistent professionalism and objectivity
* Decisive and able to use own judgement
* Ability to work either autonomously or as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Self-confident and able to maintain composure under pressure.
* Honest and acts with integrity
* Proven ability to keep information confidential
Desirable criteria
* Ability to delegate to the correct level of staff to ensure work is completed accurately whilst sharing own skills and knowledge
* Completer/Finisher
* Enthusiastic and creative
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
* Highly developed analytical and problem solving skills
* Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft office products
* Competent of computerised ledger systems
* Have a robust understanding, and the ability to apply financial management and financial accounting principle in practice
* Have the ability to analyse, interpret and present complex financial information
* Demonstrate appropriate skills to practice as a competent Assistant Divisional Accountant
* Interpret information in a broader context of finance and non-finance information
* Have a thorough knowledge of all accounting standards
* Knowledge of budgetary control and business planning processes
Desirable criteria
* Have a robust understanding of the NHS finance regime and regulations
* Able to demonstrate a sound working knowledge of costing methodology