Assistant Finance Business Partner

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a finance professional to support the Finance Business Partner and Deputy Finance Business Partner in producing timely and accurate income, expenditure and activity reports, and to maintain the general ledger and related financial systems. You will assist with budget setting and monitoring, variance analysis and responding to FoI requests.

The role involves liaison with Care Group management, staff and external bodies, and requires strong numeracy,

Qualifications

• AAT membership or equivalent level/experience is required.
• Experience with NHS Trust financial processes and reporting is desirable.
• Experience with the Trust's General Ledger Financial System is desirable.
• Strong numeracy and ability to interpret data is needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide information and senior support to the Finance Partner for income, expenditure and activity reports and analyses.
• Develop the general ledger and monthly reporting tasks, including system maintenance and reconciliations.
• Monitor budget performance and investigate variances between budget and actual figures.

Skills

AAT member or equivalent level/exp

Numeracy and data interpretation

Time management and attention to detai

Ability to work under pressure

Education

AAT/CCAB related qualificatio

ECDL or equivalent qualification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

General Ledger / Financial System experience

Job description

To provide information and senior support to the Finance Business Partner/Deputy Finance Business Partner to ensure that timely, accurate and relevant income, expenditure and activity reports and ad hoc analyses are produced. To develop the general ledger and other financial reporting systems, carrying out set monthly tasks, systems maintenance and ad hoc problem solving to ensure smooth and accurate running of the ledger system.,

• Provide senior support to the FBP/DFBP in the production of income, expenditure and activity information and forecasts and support to staff and managers in the respective Care Groups including budget setting, budget monitoring, variance analysis and early identification of deviations from plan.
• Regular communication with Care Group management teams, budget holders, staff and managers within specific Care Group(s). There is also occasional contact with external organisations, including other NHS bodies, non-NHS organizations and external audit.
• Responsible for the dealing with Freedom of Information requests, ensuring the information is collated and sent as per the Trusts internal timetable
• Working in conjunction with the relevant FBP/DFBP, the post-holder is required to use their initiative to manage their workload and carry out the general maintenance and monthly tasks and reconciliations associated with the Trust's General Ledger Financial Systems by agreed deadlines.
• Monitor performance against budget, investigating and explaining variances between budget and actual and correcting errors where required, using own initiative or obtaining advice from appropriate manager where necessary.
• AAT member or equivalent level / experience

Desirable criteria

• Actively studying towards CCAB qualification
• ECDL or equivalent qualification, General accounting experience and adherence to deadlines
• Experience of the financial management process
• Experience of the Trust's General Ledger Financial System

Desirable criteria

• Management Accounts experience within the NHS, Detailed knowledge of the functions and operation of accounting ledgers
• Strong computer literacy
• The interpersonal skills to deal with managers and other members of the finance team
• Sound written and verbal communication skills
• Extensive ability for numeric interpretation and manipulation of data
• Effective time management skills
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail, whilst working under pressure
• Ability to balance conflicting priorities, seeking advice where appropriate, and work methodically to meet deadlines
• Ability to develop good working relationships with budget holders

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of all basic functions of the Financial Management Division
• Advanced knowledge of the use of Microsoft Excel
• An appreciation of the overall working of the Finance Department
• Ability to design and delivery training package
• Car driver, Enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Ability to use own initiative and work well within a team
• Ability to plan own time and task management and prioritisation in order to meet agreed deadlines
• High levels of concentration needed to achieve required level of accuracy
• Understand and accept the need to maintain confidentiality
• Confidential and conscientious
• Flexible and adaptable within the working environment
• Positive approach to change and the ability to be proactive in finding improved ways of working

Desirable criteria

• Committed to personal development

Lancashire and South Cumbria Provider Collaborative (OneLsc)

The five provider NHS trusts in Lancashire and South Cumbria are working together as partners, delivering joint priorities to improve health and healthcare. Together, we aim to drive up quality by sharing skills and best practice, pooling our resources and standardising the way we work to reduce variation and duplication. We want to ensure patients have equal access to the same high-quality care wherever they live. We also want our colleagues to have the same high-quality experience wherever they work. One Lancashire and South Cumbria (One LSC) and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay has a firm commitment to strengthening the diversity of our workforce, and therefore welcome and encourage applications from likeminded people who can support our ambition to become effortlessly inclusive. We are particularly keen to hear from protected groups - including BAME, LGBT+ and people with a disability., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

Why Choose OneLSC and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust:

• A vibrant, diverse, and inclusive healthcare community
• Cutting-edge facilities and technology
• Opportunities for continuous professional development
• A culture that values and recognizes your contributions

We operate from three main hospitals-Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre. FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services. WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses. All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.

Disclosures and Barring Scheme (DBS) If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained. The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38.