Deputy Project Accountant, Band 7

Health Jobs UK; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Cheltenham seeks a Project Accountant to support financial activities related to its capital programme. The role involves financial reporting, business case development, and ensuring compliance with standards. The ideal candidate will possess CCAB Part Qualified status, have strong analytical and communication skills, and experience in NHS finance. This role supports collaborative project work and offers an opportunity to shape financial strategies in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to analyze, interpret and report large complex data.
• Experience in NHS capital accounting.
• Experience of dealing with conflict and prioritizing demands.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the financial reporting of the Trust’s capital programme.
• Investigate and refine ledger entries for compliance.
• Provide complex financial support for business cases.

Skills

Analytical skills

Numeracy and accuracy

Advanced MS Excel

Understanding NHS policies

Communication skills

Education

CCAB Part Qualified

Job description

Job summary

A fantastic 6‑month fixed‑term opportunity to support the Project Accountant in providing financial support for the Trust’s capital programme. Responsibilities include financial and non‑financial reporting, business case production, and the financial impact of major projects within monthly reporting, forecasting and long‑term planning processes. The role will help shape the vision of growing and developing financial support for projects at the Trust.

Main duties of the job

Work with the Project Accountant and Capital Accountant to lead on the financial reporting of the Trust’s capital programme, including monthly project progress reports and circulation of budget statements.

Review the financial ledger to ensure accuracy, investigate, correct and refine any discrepancies, and maintain compliance with accounting standards and Trust policies.

Establish quick relationships with team members and project leads to investigate, summarise, challenge and escalated variances to plan or forecasts.

Analyse spend and add assets to the register within the applicable periods, ensuring a smooth external audit.

About us

The Project Accounts team works in a supportive, collaborative environment and is led by a Director of Finance who balances strength with compassion. The team values resilience, development and well‑being.

Job responsibilities

Project Accounting

• Lead on the financial reporting of the Trust’s capital programme, including monthly project progress reports and budget statements to project leads.
• Investigate, correct and refine ledger entries to ensure accurate financial position and compliance with standards.
• Work closely with project leads to summarise and challenge variances, identifying causes.
• Support applications for additional capital funding, ensuring timely draw‑down communicated to the Head of Financial Services.
• Provide information to project leads and assist in internal and external reporting.

Business Case Development

• Record business cases and capital budgetary approvals accurately, uploading them onto the finance system with designated project leads.
• Provide complex financial support for capital business plans, investment cases and options appraisals, ensuring robust financial input.
• Participate in financial appraisals (e.g., Net Present Value calculations) to support proposal assessment.
• Collaborate with managers to construct and review business cases covering all capital, revenue and operational aspects.
• Promote the Better Business Cases™ agenda to align processes with its principles.
• Maintain efficient capture and logging of business cases and investment decisions.

Long Term Planning

• Coordinate, develop, manage and report multi‑year capital plans, integrating all funding streams and prioritisation frameworks.
• Support wider financial reporting models linking capital, revenue, activity and workforce data.

Asset Management

• Share capital expenditure data with the Capital Accountant to maintain an up‑to‑date asset register.
• Provide expenditure forecasts to support cash position monitoring and capital charge calculations.

Financial Governance

• Deliver professional financial advice to Senior Managers, Budget Holders, Project Leads and Finance staff.
• Ensure adherence to Trust Financial Policies, standing instructions and orders, securing value for money and financial stability.
• Respond to internal and external audit requirements promptly.

Professional Leadership & Management

• Prioritise own work and that of any delegated staff, including line‑management duties.
• Provide timely expert support and leadership on project accounting.
• Agree Personal Objectives, a Personal Development Plan and keep up to date with required training.
• Participate in policy, procedure and service developments, and support line management in service improvement initiatives.

Communications and Relationships

• Communicate financial and analytical advice clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships at all levels of the Trust.
• Actively participate in meetings, presenting capital financial positions where required.
• Promote a supportive, honest and compassionate culture within the Project Accounting team.

Other Duties

• Deputise for the Project Accountant at key Trust project meetings when appropriate.
• Support Directors of Finance and Operational Finance with ad‑hoc duties.
• Suggest and contribute to financial improvements across the department.
• Assist in providing finance training programmes to Budget Holders and non‑finance staff.
• Keep up to date with capital accounting standards and policies.
• Carry out other ad‑hoc duties in line with the project finance team’s demands.

Contact Details

Craig Marshall (Project Accountant)
[e-mail]
07894 429785
Available for calls between 9am and 5pm – please email or message first to arrange a suitable time.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• CCAB Part Qualified or equivalent, and working towards completing the CCAB qualification.

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to analyse, interpret and report large complex data.
• High level of numeracy and accuracy.
• Advanced skills in MS Excel.
• Good knowledge of financial and accounting procedures, NHS legislation and policies.
• Understanding of strategic and operational planning, budgeting, performance monitoring, project accounting and business case development.
• Report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to present information with high accuracy to varied audiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including negotiation and facilitation.

Experience

• Substantial finance experience within the NHS or a large finance department.
• Appropriate finance experience within NHS capital accounting.
• Experience of working to tight deadlines.
• Experience of dealing with conflict and prioritising demands.
• Desirable – experience with data modelling, complex analysis, options analysis and business cases.

Personal Attributes

• Maintain confidentiality and comply with the Data Protection Act.
• Empathetic and assertive when dealing with stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Accepts constructive feedback and develops high quality work.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to prioritise work to meet tight deadlines.
• Consistent professionalism and objectivity.
• Work independently, remotely or as part of a team.
• Strong willingness to grow and change as needed.
• Ability to maintain standards and work under pressure.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Riverside House, Cheltenham
College Baths Road
Cheltenham
GL53 7QU