Financial Accountant

NHS; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A national public health agency in the UK is seeking an experienced Financial Accountant to manage Accounts Receivable and VAT functions. The role involves supporting year-end processes and delivering quality financial reporting. Ideal candidates will have CCAB or CIMA qualifications, significant finance department experience, and proficiency in financial management. The position fosters a culture of continuous improvement and is open to Welsh speakers.

Qualifications

• Expertise in financial management and business planning.
• Demonstrated understanding of NHS VAT regime and financial controls.
• Significant experience in a finance department.

Responsibilities

• Lead Accounts Receivable and VAT functions.
• Support production of Annual Accounts and audit working papers.
• Conduct continuous improvement in financial processes.

Skills

Proficient in Microsoft software

Excellent communication skills

Strong numeracy skills

Ability to analyze for continuous improvement

Negotiation skills

Education

Appropriate degree in a relevant discipline

CCAB / CIMA Qualified

Tools

Oracle Financials

Microsoft Excel

Business Intelligence software

Job description

Are you an experienced finance professional looking for a short‑term opportunity to make a real impact?

Public Health Wales is seeking a Financial Accountant to join our Finance team on a six‑month fixed‑term contract or secondment within NHS Wales. This role is critical in supporting our year‑end processes and ensuring the delivery of high‑quality financial reporting.

About the Role

As Financial Accountant, you will:

Lead and manage the Accounts Receivable and VAT functions, ensuring compliance and efficiency.

Support the production of Annual Accounts, statutory returns, and audit working papers.

Maintain robust internal controls and drive continuous improvement in financial processes.

Act as the organisation's lead VAT officer, providing expert guidance.

Represent Public Health Wales at technical accounting groups and liaise with auditors.

Line manage and develop team members, fostering a culture of excellence.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for managing and improving the Trust's Accounts Receivable and VAT functions, ensuring efficient service delivery and aiming for best‑in‑class performance to support full assurance in financial systems audits.

Assists in interpreting and applying financial reporting standards (e.g., IFRS), contributing to the production of statutory accounts and returns, and ensuring compliance with internal controls and external audit requirements.

Deputises for senior finance roles, represents the Trust in technical groups, manages financial accounting staff, and drives continuous improvement in financial processes, including month‑end and debt recovery.

About us

We are Public Health Wales — the national public health agency in Wales. Our purpose is "Working together for a healthier Wales". We exist to help everyone in Wales live longer, healthier, happier lives. Together with our partners, we work to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well‑being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.

Our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the leading source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. In a world facing complex health challenges, our work has never been so important.

We are guided by our Values, "Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference". We are committed to building an inclusive workplace that values equality and diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and are supportive of flexible working arrangements, including part‑time roles and job sharing.

To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/

For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/

Job responsibilities

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Appropriate degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualification or level of knowledge and skills (e.g., Accounting, Finance, or Business).
• CCAB / CIMA Qualified & Member of Professional body.
• Up to date on Latest Accounting Standards and recommendations.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

Experience

• Significant experience working in a finance department.
• Experience of using Oracle Financials and iProcurement system (or similar).
• Able to demonstrate experience of working in a customer‑focused manner.
• Knowledge of finance and procurement processes.
• Advanced specialised knowledge and experience of financial management and business planning.
• Awareness of audit requirements.
• Recruitment, management, supervision, setting workload, appraising and development of staff.
• Management of large complex income and expenditure budgets.
• In‑depth understanding of NHS Financial Controls.
• Demonstrable understanding of the NHS VAT regime, including the treatment of contracted‑out services, partial exemption rules, and VAT recovery processes.

Skills and Attributes

• Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft software, such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and sensitively.
• Strong numeracy skills, with the ability to interpret and present financial data accurately.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all aspects of work.
• Ability to work independently, using initiative to solve problems and manage tasks effectively.
• Ability to analyse areas of work to identify areas which would benefit from continuous improvement.
• Exercise excellent negotiating skills.
• Ability to demonstrate understanding and application of our workplace values, together with the underpinning behaviours identified for success in this role.
• Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn.
• Advanced O365 and Business Intelligence software experience.

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.