Finance Business Partner

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; West Kirby; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced finance professional to provide high-level financial leadership, advice, and management within the division. The post involves coordinating budgeting, strategic financial planning, and governance across departments to support organisational decision-making.

The role emphasises development of business cases, costings, and effective management of a finance team, with responsibilities across reporting, forecasting, and stakeholder

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant with post qualification experience in financial management.
• Experience in development of business cases and financial evaluation.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate annual budget setting across divisions and monitor expenditure within allocated resources.
• Lead financial and economic appraisal of business cases and ensure value for money.
• Ensure statutory accounting compliance, governance, and liaison with auditors.
• Provide expert financial advice to service managers and clinicians; manage planning and reporting.
• Deputise for Head of Financial Management and lead a finance team to develop staff.

Skills

Financial leadership

Budgeting

Strategic financial analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Chartered Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Job description

Job summary

JOB SUMMARY Reporting directly to the Head of Financial Management and having close workingrelationships with the Associate Director of Operations, and responsible for: o Responsibility for providing high level financial support and leadership inrelation to complex financial issues o Required to provide leadership to the finance team and to ensure that allmembers of that team develop to their full potential o To support the Head of Financial Management and Financial Controller in thesubmission of statutory returns to external organisations o Provide expert financial and commercial advice to support to the organisation o To support the Head of Financial Management in the development andpreparation of finance reports to assist the organisation in makingmanagement decisions This job is intended as a guide to the scope of the duties and responsibilities of thepost and not meant as an inflexible specification. The post holder may be asked, andis expected to, undertake any other duties commensurate to the grade of the post.The Job Description will be reviewed and updated from time-to-time in consultationwith the post holder in line with changing circumstances within the organisation. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION Qualified Accountant with post qualification experience of working in a financialmanagement environment, and experience in the development of Business Cases

Main duties of the job

Please see detailed job description and person specification below for the main duties of the role you are applying for.

About us

Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust delivers the highest standards of care for women, babies and families. Each year we deliver over 7,500 babies, carry out over 49,000 gynaecological inpatient and outpatient procedures, care for over 1,000 poorly & preterm newborns, perform around 1,000 IVF cycles and have over 4,000 genetic appointments taking place. We believe that this along with a strong dedication to research & innovation makes usthe specialist health provider of choice in Europe for women, babies and families.

We have some of the leading experts in their field, which has been showcased on national TV and news, making our teams famous across the world for professionalism, skill & compassion.

The Trust is constantly innovating and evolving it's services to provide the most cutting edge and modern care possible. As well as developing services on our current site we have long-term aspirations for the future. We have recently launched a number of new strategies which provide a detailed long-term plan for our services.

Job description

Job responsibilities

CORE JOB ACTIVITIES 1. Financial Management Coordination of the annual budget setting process across the Divisionsupporting the wider management team with the identification and appropriatemanagement of financial pressures. Integrating clinical, workforce and otherplans and subsequently works with them to control expenditure withinallocated resources. To plan, coordinate and be responsible for the production of detailed financialinformation in accordance with agreed monthly timetables. Liaising withmembers of the finance team to ensure tasks required, ad hoc financialanalysis and activities to support monthly closedown are completed to timeand required standards. Undertaking review and analysis of the Trusts financial position providingbriefing to the Head of Financial Management and Associate Director ofFinance on key financial issues on potential risks and opportunities includingthe maintenance of rolling forecasts of divisional financial performance andwhen required establishment and monitoring of financial recovery plans. Provision of accurate and timely complex information to various internal andexternal key stakeholders such as NHS Improvement. This may take form ofboth standard financial returns and also ad-hoc queries but will always haveaccuracy and quality at its core. Assists in the development of operational plans assessing the implications onboth income and costs to facilitate the development of service operationalplans and medium term plans. Advise Clinical Directors and the wider management teams on the implicationof financial strategy and policy. Advising, influencing and educating proactivelyin relation to business and financial objectives to include the delivery ofsavings plans while always acknowledging our wider responsibilities as aFoundation Trust. Provision of professional financial advice and leadership to the Division so thatservices are delivered and developed within the overall financial targets set bythe Trust and that financial risks within the Division are managed appropriatelyto maintain financial balance. Proactively supporting budget holders in the ongoing identification andevidencing of the cost effectiveness of services including the identification andmonitoring of Cost Improvement Programmes, and the financial implications ofproposals. To communicate with all levels of staff both within the Finance Departmentand the wider Trust. Such communication will be in the form of written reports,spreadsheet analysis, formal presentation, meetings, verbally (face to faceand by other electronic means) up to Executive Director level. This mayinvolve communicating with large groups. Supports Divisional Managers in the identification of capital equipmentreplacement needs and in the development of proposals for capitalexpenditure including the associated revenue implications. Undertakes tender evaluations advising of the financial implications to thedivisional management team and the trust board as appropriate. Maintain Trust establishment control in ESR Utilises information systems to create standard and ad hoc reports to facilitatethe understanding of the divisional budget holders of their financial positionand its correlation or otherwise with the activities undertaken. Review business processes and where appropriate identify and implementimprovements to efficiency and internal control, for example, stock controlroutines. Seek a process of continuous improvement and develop innovative financialand business improvement techniques and solutions that will enhance boththe clinical services and Trusts financial controls and policies and businessperformance.

2. Service Developments/Disinvestments and Costing To lead the financial and economic appraisal of business cases by the Division at the same time as challenging the Division to ensure Value forMoney is delivered. Ensure that financial risks within the cases are fullyunderstood, and that benefits realisation and performance are monitored oncethe case is operational. Promotes in association with the Income Accountant the understanding ofservice costs by actively participating in the analysis and review of allocationof costs to product or service lines to support reference cost submissions andservice line reporting liaising with Managers, and Information staff in theirformulation and review. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Trust and Department of Health policiesand proactively undertaking ad hoc costing so as to be able to inform thedivisional management teams and wider Trust of any financial implications. To support the Contracting team on contracting negotiations for the Trustensuring payment for service provision as appropriate.

3. Statutory Accounting and Governance Promotes within the Division and Corporate departments an understanding ofand compliance with Trust Standing Orders and Standing FinancialInstructions and Scheme of Delegation. Ensure that the finance team advise clinical managers on the correctinterpretation and implementation of all relevant internal and external policyguidelines, e.g. Standing Financial Instructions, NHS Improvement guidelinesetc. Work with Trusts internal and external auditors ensuring the clearance of anyaudit issues and implementing agreed recommendations in a timely manner. Contributes to the production of the statutory accounts through ensuringaccounting transactions supporting the reporting of Divisional positions complywith recognised professional standards and guidance including IFRS andundertaking specific tasks to the required timescales and quality specified bythe Financial Controller. To maintain a keen working understanding of the Foundation Trust regime andthe key aspects that are relevant or may become relevant to the organisation.To engage with this high level of understanding when conducting all aspectsof the role e.g. supporting the Head of Financial Management with the AnnualPlan submission, Ensuring that the organisation has the correct processes inplace to adhere to NHS Improvement rules and providing financial and/orbusiness advice etc. Liaises with the Financial Controller on the performance of financial servicesas it relates to the Division and vice versa agreeing mutually beneficial actionto enhance services provided.

4. Training and Development The post holder will need to provide and lead their team with the provision offirst class expert financial advice to the service managers and clinicians thatthey support. This will include the understanding and interpretation of financialforecasts and the uncertainties that exist within them. Responsible for leading the management accounting function and beresponsible for a team providing an effective, efficient and business focussedfinancial management service covering the Trusts budget. Responsible for the professional development of all members of staff withinthe team through appraisal and development sessions. Maintains and evidences CPD requirements of professional body with whompost holder is registered. Develops, delivers and facilitates training sessions for non-finance staff withinthe Division so as to develop understanding of the financial framework andissues within which services operate. To communicate with all levels of staff both within the Finance Departmentand the wider Trust. Such communication will be in the form of written reports,spreadsheet analysis, formal presentation, meetings, verbally (face to faceand by other electronic means) up to Executive Director level. This mayinvolve communicating with large groups. To take a proactive approach in your own personal development whilst actingas the FSD Lead for the Trust

5. Other Responsibilities for day to day management of a finance team. Includingrecruitment, appraisal, discipline, training and development. The post holderwill provide leadership to their finance team to ensure that they develop theirfull potential. Deputises for the Head of Financial Management at internal and externalmeetings. Participates on behalf of finance department in ad hoc multi-disciplinaryproject groups involving Clinicians, Directors, and Service Managers. To undertake any other duties commensurate with grade as requested. To ensure that all information is treated in a secure and confidential manner.

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties of the post. Otherduties will be required of the post from time to time.

Job description

Job responsibilities

CORE JOB ACTIVITIES 1. Financial Management Coordination of the annual budget setting process across the Divisionsupporting the wider management team with the identification and appropriatemanagement of financial pressures. Integrating clinical, workforce and otherplans and subsequently works with them to control expenditure withinallocated resources. To plan, coordinate and be responsible for the production of detailed financialinformation in accordance with agreed monthly timetables. Liaising withmembers of the finance team to ensure tasks required, ad hoc financialanalysis and activities to support monthly closedown are completed to timeand required standards. Undertaking review and analysis of the Trusts financial position providingbriefing to the Head of Financial Management and Associate Director ofFinance on key financial issues on potential risks and opportunities includingthe maintenance of rolling forecasts of divisional financial performance andwhen required establishment and monitoring of financial recovery plans. Provision of accurate and timely complex information to various internal andexternal key stakeholders such as NHS Improvement. This may take form ofboth standard financial returns and also ad-hoc queries but will always haveaccuracy and quality at its core. Assists in the development of operational plans assessing the implications onboth income and costs to facilitate the development of service operationalplans and medium term plans. Advise Clinical Directors and the wider management teams on the implicationof financial strategy and policy. Advising, influencing and educating proactivelyin relation to business and financial objectives to include the delivery ofsavings plans while always acknowledging our wider responsibilities as aFoundation Trust. Provision of professional financial advice and leadership to the Division so thatservices are delivered and developed within the overall financial targets set bythe Trust and that financial risks within the Division are managed appropriatelyto maintain financial balance. Proactively supporting budget holders in the ongoing identification andevidencing of the cost effectiveness of services including the identification andmonitoring of Cost Improvement Programmes, and the financial implications ofproposals. To communicate with all levels of staff both within the Finance Departmentand the wider Trust. Such communication will be in the form of written reports,spreadsheet analysis, formal presentation, meetings, verbally (face to faceand by other electronic means) up to Executive Director level. This mayinvolve communicating with large groups. Supports Divisional Managers in the identification of capital equipmentreplacement needs and in the development of proposals for capitalexpenditure including the associated revenue implications. Undertakes tender evaluations advising of the financial implications to thedivisional management team and the trust board as appropriate. Maintain Trust establishment control in ESR Utilises information systems to create standard and ad hoc reports to facilitatethe understanding of the divisional budget holders of their financial positionand its correlation or otherwise with the activities undertaken. Review business processes and where appropriate identify and implementimprovements to efficiency and internal control, for example, stock controlroutines. Seek a process of continuous improvement and develop innovative financialand business improvement techniques and solutions that will enhance boththe clinical services and Trusts financial controls and policies and businessperformance.

2. Service Developments/Disinvestments and Costing To lead the financial and economic appraisal of business cases by the Division at the same time as challenging the Division to ensure Value forMoney is delivered. Ensure that financial risks within the cases are fullyunderstood, and that benefits realisation and performance are monitored oncethe case is operational. Promotes in association with the Income Accountant the understanding ofservice costs by actively participating in the analysis and review of allocationof costs to product or service lines to support reference cost submissions andservice line reporting liaising with Managers, and Information staff in theirformulation and review. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Trust and Department of Health policiesand proactively undertaking ad hoc costing so as to be able to inform thedivisional management teams and wider Trust of any financial implications. To support the Contracting team on contracting negotiations for the Trustensuring payment for service provision as appropriate.

3. Statutory Accounting and Governance Promotes within the Division and Corporate departments an understanding ofand compliance with Trust Standing Orders and Standing FinancialInstructions and Scheme of Delegation. Ensure that the finance team advise clinical managers on the correctinterpretation and implementation of all relevant internal and external policyguidelines, e.g. Standing Financial Instructions, NHS Improvement guidelinesetc. Work with Trusts internal and external auditors ensuring the clearance of anyaudit issues and implementing agreed recommendations in a timely manner. Contributes to the production of the statutory accounts through ensuringaccounting transactions supporting the reporting of Divisional positions complywith recognised professional standards and guidance including IFRS andundertaking specific tasks to the required timescales and quality specified bythe Financial Controller. To maintain a keen working understanding of the Foundation Trust regime andthe key aspects that are relevant or may become relevant to the organisation.To engage with this high level of understanding when conducting all aspectsof the role e.g. supporting the Head of Financial Management with the AnnualPlan submission, Ensuring that the organisation has the correct processes inplace to adhere to NHS Improvement rules and providing financial and/orbusiness advice etc. Liaises with the Financial Controller on the performance of financial servicesas it relates to the Division and vice versa agreeing mutually beneficial actionto enhance services provided.

4. Training and Development The post holder will need to provide and lead their team with the provision offirst class expert financial advice to the service managers and clinicians thatthey support. This will include the understanding and interpretation of financialforecasts and the uncertainties that exist within them. Responsible for leading the management accounting function and beresponsible for a team providing an effective, efficient and business focussedfinancial management service covering the Trusts budget. Responsible for the professional development of all members of staff withinthe team through appraisal and development sessions. Maintains and evidences CPD requirements of professional body with whompost holder is registered. Develops, delivers and facilitates training sessions for non-finance staff withinthe Division so as to develop understanding of the financial framework andissues within which services operate. To communicate with all levels of staff both within the Finance Departmentand the wider Trust. Such communication will be in the form of written reports,spreadsheet analysis, formal presentation, meetings, verbally (face to faceand by other electronic means) up to Executive Director level. This mayinvolve communicating with large groups. To take a proactive approach in your own personal development whilst actingas the FSD Lead for the Trust

5. Other Responsibilities for day to day management of a finance team. Includingrecruitment, appraisal, discipline, training and development. The post holderwill provide leadership to their finance team to ensure that they develop theirfull potential. Deputises for the Head of Financial Management at internal and externalmeetings. Participates on behalf of finance department in ad hoc multi-disciplinaryproject groups involving Clinicians, Directors, and Service Managers. To undertake any other duties commensurate with grade as requested. To ensure that all information is treated in a secure and confidential manner.

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties of the post. Otherduties will be required of the post from time to time.

Person Specification

Qualifications