Assistant Financial Accountant

Great Ormond Street Hospital; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Great Ormond Street Hospital is seeking an Assistant Financial Accountant who is working towards an accountancy qualification. The role supports the Head of Financial Accounts in delivering accurate financial reporting and statutory returns.

You will assist with monthly/quarterly/annual accounts, VAT/CIS/NI/NHS Pension returns, and TfL congestion charge claims while maintaining appropriate control accounts and journals. NHS-specific knowledge is beneficial.

Qualifications

• Part qualified CCAB accountant (first level) or AAT; NHS exposure preferred.
• Strong English and Maths skills (GCSE/grades C or equivalent).
• Experience in a finance department and understanding of double entry principles.
• Knowledge of year end procedures and statutory requirements.
• Understanding of IFRS and use of computerised accounting systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist in producing monthly, quarterly and annual accounts.
• Assist with VAT, CIS, Income tax, National Insurance and NHS Pension returns.
• Prepare claims for Transport for London Congestion Charges and maintain Losses and Special Payments register.
• Contribute to the production of statutory accounts and periodic NHS/ DHSC/HMRC returns.
• Reconcile control accounts, post journals, and support year-end stock takes.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Time management

Numeracy

Education

Part qualified CCAB accountant (first level) or AAT

Tools

IFRS knowledge

e-financials system

Microsoft Excel

General accounting software

Job description

Job overview

The postholder will be required to have working knowledge of Finance and Finance systems and actively studying towards an accountancy qualification.

Reporting into the Head of Financial Accounts, the Assistant Financial Accountant will have a range of financial accounting responsibilities, including reconciliation of General Ledger control accounts, assisting with production of VAT, CIS, Income tax, National Insurance and NHS Pension returns, preparing claims for submission to Transport for London Congestion Charges and maintenance of Losses and Special Payments register.

As a key part of the Financial Accounting team, the Assistant Financial Accountant will assist with the production of the statutory accounts and periodic returns in accordance with NHS Improvement, Department of Health and Social Care and HMRC deadlines. They will also produce regular and ad hoc reports as required by the Head of Financial Accounts.

Main duties of the job

• To assist in the production of the monthly, quarterly and annual accounts by completing an assigned portfolio of responsibilities.
• To assist in producing financial reports, returns to NHS Improvement, Department of Health and Social Care, VAT returns and various monthly and annual statements on a rotational basis as required.
• To reconcile a specified range of control accounts relating to the Trust’s Statement of Financial Position and ensuring discrepancies are resolved and journals are produced for reconciling items accurately and on a timely basis.
• To assist in reviewing Income contracts and agree applicable Financial Reporting Standard against each new contract.
• To co-ordinate interim and year-end stock takes and prepare stock adjustment journals for review.
• To reconcile and prepare monthly CIS return for review.
• To reconcile and prepare Congestion Charge reimbursement claims from TFL for review.
• To ensure that staff payroll deductions on behalf of third parties made via the payroll system are paid over to relevant organisations on a timely basis

Working for our organisation

We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination.

We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.

We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history.

We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women’s Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues.

Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

GOSH Culture and Values

Essential criteria

• GOSH values

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential criteria

• Part qualified CCAB accountant (first level) or AAT
• Good standard of general education to include English and Maths (or equivalent) grade C or above

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Previous experience within a finance department
• Understanding of double entry principles
• Understanding of double entry principles
• General understanding of accounting procedures
• General understanding of year end procedures
• General understanding/knowledge of a computerised accounting system
• Working knowledge of IFRS and other statutory legislation as applicable to the role

Desirable criteria

• Previous accounts experience in an NHS setting
• Understanding of basic VAT rules
• Knowledge of the e-financials system
• Knowledge of NHS procedures

Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Good communication skills both written and verbal
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good IT skills including the use of Word, Excel and e-mail
• Good time management skills
• Accurate and speedy data inputting skills (attention to detail)
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
• Flexible approach to working tasks
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as working on own
• Analytical and problem solving skills with attention to detail, methodical and thorough approach
• Able to concentrate frequently for sustained periods on complex calculations with accurate results
• Ability to explain finance information to non-finance managers

Desirable criteria

• Good organisational and planning skills
• Creative approach to problem solving
• Ability to work without supervision and use initiative