Band 8a Finance manager

National health service; Manor Park; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Finance Lead for the RFLPS Chase Farm clinical consumables managed service. You will partner with RFLPS, RFL Finance and procurement, producing monthly directorate reports with variance commentary and year-end forecasts.

You will set annual budgets, prepare forecasts, and explain major variances to clinical divisions, helping inform management decisions. A track record of process improvement and staff development is essential.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification (CCAB) in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA)
• Evidence of having kept technically up to date since qualification
• Degree (desirable)
• Relevant post qualification experience or significant management accounting or equivalent experience in a similar role of managing and developing staff.
• Knowledge and understanding of the NHS financial environment (desirable).
• Experience of procurement, inventory / stock accounting or managed service contract finance, including VAT on contracted‑out services.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance for the RFLPS Chase Farm clinical consumables managed service
• Linking various finance and procurement functions
• Prepare monthly directorate reports with commentary on variances
• Ensure period-end figures, accruals and explanations for changes
• Set annual I&E budgets with clinical division and forecast variances
• Provide cost and income driver analysis and staff training on reports
• Manage team workload and drive process improvements
• Represent Finance at key meetings and inform managers and clinicians of financial position

Skills

Analytical skills

Excellent communicator

Deadline driven

Influencing staff

Education

CCAB professional qualification (CIMA ACA CIPFA ACCA)

Degree (desirable)

Tools

Excel

Access

Microsoft Word

Job description

Job summary

Managed service: Lead finance for the RFLPS Chase Farm clinical consumables managed service, linking RFLPS, RFL Finance, Partners Procurement Service and Chase Farm budget holders. Reporting: Produce monthly directorate reports to deadline, with commentary on over‑and underspends and the year‑end forecast. Contribute accurate analysis and variance commentary to Monthly Management Reports and Board briefings. Month‑end: Ensure period‑end figures are complete and accurate, with appropriate accruals, and explain any changes clearly. Budgets and forecasting: Set annual I&E budgets with the clinical division to agreed timelines, stretching but achievable and aligned to Trust objectives. Prepare regular forecasts and explain major variances. Business partnering: Act as lead finance contact and represent Finance at key meetings. Keep managers and clinicians informed of their I&E position, advise on complex issues and influence sound decisions. Explain cost and income drivers and train staff to use their reports. Team management: Manage team workload to meet deadlines to a high standard, allowing time for senior review. Process improvement: Shorten the period‑end timetable and recommend efficiencies to the Head of Finance (Reporting). Other: Any other duties appropriate to the role and grade.

Main duties of the job

Managed service: Lead finance for the RFLPS Chase Farm clinical consumables managed service, linking RFLPS, RFL Finance, Partners Procurement Service and Chase Farm budget holders. Reporting: Produce monthly directorate reports to deadline, with commentary on over‑and underspends and the year‑end forecast. Contribute accurate analysis and variance commentary to Monthly Management Reports and Board briefings. Month‑end: Ensure period‑end figures are complete and accurate, with appropriate accruals, and explain any changes clearly. Budgets and forecasting: Set annual I&E budgets with the clinical division to agreed timelines, stretching but achievable and aligned to Trust objectives. Prepare regular forecasts and explain major variances. Business partnering: Act as lead finance contact and represent Finance at key meetings. Keep managers and clinicians informed of their I&E position, advise on complex issues and influence sound decisions. Explain cost and income drivers and train staff to use their reports. Team management: Manage team workload to meet deadlines to a high standard, allowing time for senior review. Process improvement: Shorten the period‑end timetable and recommend efficiencies to the Head of Finance (Reporting). Other: Any other duties appropriate to the role and grade.

Person Specification

• Professional qualification (CCAB) in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA)
• Evidence of having kept technically up to date since qualification
• Degree (desirable)
• Relevant post qualification experience or significant management accounting or equivalent experience in a similar role of managing and developing staff.
• Knowledge and understanding of the NHS financial environment (desirable).
• Experience of procurement, inventory / stock accounting or managed service contract finance, including VAT on contracted‑out services.
• Analytical skills with the ability to communicate clearly the results of such analysis.
• Excellent communicator both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to present and explain financial information in a manner that can easily be understood by non‑finance managers.
• Ability to make use of systems (e.g. Excel, Access, Microsoft Word) to prepare and present accurate, clear information and to identify what can be produced from other financial systems.
• Record of delivering to tight deadlines.
• Record of improving processes and reporting in previous roles.
• Record of influencing staff, colleagues and budget holders to achieve positive outcomes.
• Record of analysing areas of work to identify and implement improvements.
• Record of successfully training and coaching staff.
• Team player who complies with policies set by senior management.
• Flexible and resilient.
• Supported by Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Recruitment and Visa Information

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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

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. 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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

• Employer name: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
• Address: ECC Enfield/London, EN1 3XA, United Kingdom
• Employer's website: (not provided)

About us

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6 million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17 million tests. Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a