Associate Care Group Accountant

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; Darlington; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for an Associate Care Group Accountant at a leading healthcare provider in the UK. This role involves delivering high-quality financial management services and supporting the financial strategy within a collaborative team environment. The candidate will enjoy career development prospects in a supportive culture and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Agile working policy

Developmental and career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• CCAB passed finalist or equivalent NHS financial management experience.
• Excellent numerical and analytical skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial management and business advice service to Clinical Care Groups.
• Supervise, manage and motivate the financial management team.
• Oversee monthly reporting processes and ensure financial systems are maintained.

Skills

Financial management

Analytical skills

Leadership

Education

CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification

NHS Financial Management Experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

General Ledger Accounting Software

Job description

Recruiter County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a suitablyexperienced and motivated Associate Care Group Accountant to join oursuccessful team, award winning Financial Management function at County Durhamand Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

The role is a key part of our finance team providingfinancial support and guidance to the organisation and supporting the financialstrategy of the department. We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who ispassionate about what they do in order to support delivering the best care forpatients.

In return we will offer you a warm and welcoming environmentwhere you will be fully supported.

We operate an agile working policy, whereby, the team arebased on site for a proportion of the week and have the option to work at home,for 2 days per week, on a rota basis.

We are an ACCA approved employer, CIMA premier partner and aMember of the AAT Employer Scheme.Alongside this, department is One NHS Finance Future Focussed FinanceLevel 2 accredited.

This role is positioned to enable excellentdevelopmental and career progression opportunities.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will work alongside the Care GroupAccountant, within a smaller team of 5 or 6 people, to provide a comprehensivefinancial management and business advice service to Clinical Care Groups.

The role will support the Care Group Accountant, AssociateDirector of Financial Management and Care Group budget managers to meet theiroverall service and business objectives within the resources allocated to themand to ensure corporate finance responsibilities are delivered.

To supervise, manage and motivate the financial managementteam to ensure delivery of high quality and timely financial advice &information.

To participate in the continuous improvement of thefinancial management team.

In order to apply, you should be CCAB passed finalist orhave significant equivalent NHS financial management experience. You will haveexcellent numerical and analytical skills and possess the ability to workautonomously, achieve deadlines and prioritise workloads of yourself and theteam.

Significant experience in Microsoft Excel and agood understanding of general ledger accounting software would be an advantage

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance onAI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances ofsuccess

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provideadvice to the Care Group Managers, Care Group Accountant, Department Heads andother staff in the Care Group, on the financial and economic implications ofmanagement policy and action, suggesting and implementing financial policiesand procedures as required in line with the Trusts constitution, standingfinancial instructions and scheme of delegation.

Tooversee the monthly reporting process and ensure relevant deadlines are metincluding ensuring financial systems and processes are maintained to a highstandard e.g. procedure notes are in place and monitored on a regular basis

To workalongside other Associate Care Group Accountants to review, develop andmaintain systems of reporting financial performance ensuring a culture ofcontinuous improvement exists at all levels in the department contributing toincreased productivity, quality and usefulness of financial & businessadvice & information to divisional teams.

Day-to-daymanagement of the financial management team, taking a lead with theirappointment, development, training and education. This will involve carrying out annualappraisals giving advice and guidance on their career development, other issuesincluding professional training.

To attendregular meetings with Care Group staff as required, including deputising forthe Care Group Accountant.

Toregularly monitor, report and advise on the current & forecast financialperformance of the Care Group, challenging and influencing Care Group Managerswhen required, to ensure the achievement of financial targets through thedevelopment & implementation of agreed action plans.

Toprovide financial support, during the Care Groups business planning andcontracting process. This will involve analysing and interpreting financialdata and making judgements on the financial and economic effects ofdevelopments - both revenue, capital and advising on any potential efficienciesand risks.

To leadthe Care Groups annual budget setting process, supporting the Care Group Accountantin ensuring that Divisional plans andobjectives are achievable within resources allocated, including theidentification of necessary improvement in levels of efficiency and that theseare reflected in well-developed cost improvement action plans.

Tocontribute to the development of the financial skills and business awareness ofclinical staff in order to maximise the potential for improvement in clinicalquality, operational efficiency & financial performance resulting fromdecisions made at divisional level.

Tosupport the information requirements of key financial returns such ascompletion of statutory returns, final accounts, Monitor plans and returns,freedom of information requests, liaison with internal/external audit etc.

To providesupport to the Contracting and Development team in the annual costingsubmission(s) and to effectively utilise and improve the trusts patient levelcosting tool by supporting the caregroup in identifying variation to explore efficiencies.

Toperform any other duties as may be delegated from time to time

Job description
Job responsibilities

To provideadvice to the Care Group Managers, Care Group Accountant, Department Heads andother staff in the Care Group, on the financial and economic implications ofmanagement policy and action, suggesting and implementing financial policiesand procedures as required in line with the Trusts constitution, standingfinancial instructions and scheme of delegation.

Tooversee the monthly reporting process and ensure relevant deadlines are metincluding ensuring financial systems and processes are maintained to a highstandard e.g. procedure notes are in place and monitored on a regular basis

To workalongside other Associate Care Group Accountants to review, develop andmaintain systems of reporting financial performance ensuring a culture ofcontinuous improvement exists at all levels in the department contributing toincreased productivity, quality and usefulness of financial & businessadvice & information to divisional teams.

Day-to-daymanagement of the financial management team, taking a lead with theirappointment, development, training and education. This will involve carrying out annualappraisals giving advice and guidance on their career development, other issuesincluding professional training.

To attendregular meetings with Care Group staff as required, including deputising forthe Care Group Accountant.

Toregularly monitor, report and advise on the current & forecast financialperformance of the Care Group, challenging and influencing Care Group Managerswhen required, to ensure the achievement of financial targets through thedevelopment & implementation of agreed action plans.

Toprovide financial support, during the Care Groups business planning andcontracting process. This will involve analysing and interpreting financialdata and making judgements on the financial and economic effects ofdevelopments - both revenue, capital and advising on any potential efficienciesand risks.

To leadthe Care Groups annual budget setting process, supporting the Care Group Accountantin ensuring that Divisional plans andobjectives are achievable within resources allocated, including theidentification of necessary improvement in levels of efficiency and that theseare reflected in well-developed cost improvement action plans.

Tocontribute to the development of the financial skills and business awareness ofclinical staff in order to maximise the potential for improvement in clinicalquality, operational efficiency & financial performance resulting fromdecisions made at divisional level.

Tosupport the information requirements of key financial returns such ascompletion of statutory returns, final accounts, Monitor plans and returns,freedom of information requests, liaison with internal/external audit etc.

To providesupport to the Contracting and Development team in the annual costingsubmission(s) and to effectively utilise and improve the trusts patient levelcosting tool by supporting the caregroup in identifying variation to explore efficiencies.

Toperform any other duties as may be delegated from time to time

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a finance function
• Experience of using computerised finance systems; General Ledger & report writing software.
• Experience of Microsoft Office software applications
• Experience in advising finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
• Knowledge, experience and expertise in finance management and staff management.

Desirable

• Exposure to working mid- management level
• Experience of working within NHS finance
• Good understanding of the performance management and financial framework within the NHS.
• Experience/Knowledge of the NHS Financial regime, including capital accounting, the payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
• Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
• Experience of using Oracle General Ledger and Discoverer

Qualifications

Essential

• CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist or significant equivalent NHS Financial Management Experience

Desirable

• CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist.
• Clear Plan of working towards CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or evidence of continued professional development

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Communication & Relationship Skills
• Able to advise finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
• The ability to advise, influence and negotiate with staff at all levels within and outside the Trust. This will include the presentation of complex financial and non financial information to non financial managers, occasionally in large groups.
• Understands, and can effectively convey current financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Analytical & Judgement Skills
• Ability to produce and analyse business cases, including the development and appraisal of options, to optimise the allocation of resources.
• Planning & Organisation Skills
• Ability to plan and manage the workload of own team, to ensure workload is delivered to a high quality within deadlines.
• Governance and Risk Management
• Advises others on compliance with the Corporate Governance Manual (e.g. Standing Financial Instructions, Scheme of Delegation, Standing Orders) and applies the principes of accountability, transparency, integrity and the public good to all activitied eithin own area
• Supervises others in their compliance with financial policies and procedures
• Support and promotes strong financial management culture and develops finance skills and knowledge of governance issues
• Customer Focused Business Advice
• Has a wider awareness of the organisation and its position in the marketplace and uses this to challende processes and data in order to make improvements.
• Supports in the generation and interpretation of financial information to assist the Care Group understand itself more fully
• Identifies and implements opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services provided within own role/team and finance department as a whole.
• Using Information Technology
• Uses IT to gather, interpret and manipulate information to meet the needs of the Care Group
• Mental & Physical Attributes
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to cope with rapid and sustained change
• Capable of working independently
• Able to work under pressure and deliver high quality work within challenging deadlines
• Interpersonal Skills
• Clear and effective communication and presentation skills.
• Good people management skills team working, motivation & delegation.
• Good influencing, analytical and negotiation skills
• Good written communication skills

Desirable

• Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
• Experience/knowledge of the NHS financial regime, including capital accounting, payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
• Experience of Oracle general ledger and Microsoft Office

Special Requirements

Essential

• A commitment to the continuous development of the finance department to be innovative and to constantly seek new ways of working / improving performance.
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of this post

Person Specification
Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a finance function
• Experience of using computerised finance systems; General Ledger & report writing software.
• Experience of Microsoft Office software applications
• Experience in advising finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
• Knowledge, experience and expertise in finance management and staff management.

Desirable

• Exposure to working mid- management level
• Experience of working within NHS finance
• Good understanding of the performance management and financial framework within the NHS.
• Experience/Knowledge of the NHS Financial regime, including capital accounting, the payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
• Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
• Experience of using Oracle General Ledger and Discoverer

Qualifications

Essential

• CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist or significant equivalent NHS Financial Management Experience

Desirable

• CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist.
• Clear Plan of working towards CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or evidence of continued professional development

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Communication & Relationship Skills
• Able to advise finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
• The ability to advise, influence and negotiate with staff at all levels within and outside the Trust. This will include the presentation of complex financial and non financial information to non financial managers, occasionally in large groups.
• Understands, and can effectively convey current financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Analytical & Judgement Skills
• Ability to produce and analyse business cases, including the development and appraisal of options, to optimise the allocation of resources.
• Planning & Organisation Skills
• Ability to plan and manage the workload of own team, to ensure workload is delivered to a high quality within deadlines.
• Governance and Risk Management
• Advises others on compliance with the Corporate Governance Manual (e.g. Standing Financial Instructions, Scheme of Delegation, Standing Orders) and applies the principes of accountability, transparency, integrity and the public good to all activitied eithin own area
• Supervises others in their compliance with financial policies and procedures
• Support and promotes strong financial management culture and develops finance skills and knowledge of governance issues
• Customer Focused Business Advice
• Has a wider awareness of the organisation and its position in the marketplace and uses this to challende processes and data in order to make improvements.
• Supports in the generation and interpretation of financial information to assist the Care Group understand itself more fully
• Identifies and implements opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services provided within own role/team and finance department as a whole.
• Using Information Technology
• Uses IT to gather, interpret and manipulate information to meet the needs of the Care Group
• Mental & Physical Attributes
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to cope with rapid and sustained change
• Capable of working independently
• Able to work under pressure and deliver high quality work within challenging deadlines
• Interpersonal Skills
• Clear and effective communication and presentation skills.
• Good people management skills team working, motivation & delegation.
• Good influencing, analytical and negotiation skills
• Good written communication skills

Desirable

• Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
• Experience/knowledge of the NHS financial regime, including capital accounting, payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
• Experience of Oracle general ledger and Microsoft Office

Special Requirements

Essential

• A commitment to the continuous development of the finance department to be innovative and to constantly seek new ways of working / improving performance.
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of this post

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) 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. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .

Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) 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. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX

Employer's website