Financial Accountant

Health Jobs UK; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A health organization in Wales is seeking a Financial Accountant to join their Finance team on a six-month fixed-term contract. The role involves managing Accounts Receivable and VAT functions, supporting high-quality financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards. Applicants should have significant finance department experience and relevant qualifications. This position offers an opportunity to make a real impact within NHS Wales.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Opportunity for professional development

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a finance department.
• Knowledge of finance and procurement processes.
• Experience managing and developing staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage Accounts Receivable and VAT functions.
• Support production of Annual Accounts and compliance.
• Deputize for senior finance roles and manage staff.

Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong numeracy skills

High level of accuracy and attention to detail

Analytical skills for continuous improvement

Negotiation skills

Education

Appropriate degree in a relevant discipline

CCAB / CIMA Qualified

Tools

Oracle Financials

iProcurement

Advanced O365

Job description

Welcome to Public Health Wales, the national public health organisation for Wales

Job overview

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.

Working for our organisation

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.

Person specification

Qualifications and Knowledge – Essential criteria

• 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 – Essential criteria

• 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.
• In depth understanding of NHS Financial Controls.

Desirable criteria

• Management of large complex income and expenditure budgets.
• Demonstrable understanding of the NHS VAT regime, including the treatment of contracted-out services, partial exemption rules, and VAT recovery processes.

Skills and Attributes – Essential criteria

• 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.

Desirable criteria

• Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn.
• Advanced O365 and Business Intelligence software experience.

Public Health Wales reserves the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage early applications.

Priority is given to staff awaiting redeployment. We therefore reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any stage.

If you have a disability and have any particular requirements to enable you to participate in the application process, please contact [e-mail].

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

• If you require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Visa routes, please ensure you self-assess your eligibility for sponsorship for this role before applying.
• Check the Skilled Worker visa guidance or Health and Care visa guidance for details on job eligibility, salary, English language, and sponsorship requirements.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification - Welsh (PDF, 544.3 KB)
• Job Description English (PDF, 464.4 KB)
• Occupational Health - Functional Requirements Form (PDF, 656.5 KB)
• Disability Confident Employer (PDF, 180.8 KB)
• Guidance Notes for Applicants (PDF, 278.7 KB)
• Our Diversity Networks | Ein Rhwydweithiau Amrywiaeth (PDF, 330.6 KB)
• Privacy Notice (PDF, 696.3 KB)