Financial Accountant

NHS; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust is seeking a Financial Accountant to support the Finance Department and the Technical Team, providing robust control over accounts, VAT, and monthly reporting. The role combines technical accounting with internal control, working to deadlines and contributing to continuous improvement.

The role involves reconciling control accounts, supporting month-end and year-end processes, and preparing CIS and VAT returns in a busy NHS finance environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in NHS finance environment and year-end accounts.
• Ability to interpret complex information and system outputs.
• Experience within a Finance Department and familiarity with NHS year-end financial accounts.
• Strong data handling and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Complete and reconcile control accounts.
• Support the monthly, quarterly and annual reporting cycles.
• Prepare, upload and post journals to the General Ledger for month end and year end.
• Assist with statutory VAT and CIS payments and returns.
• Support the processing of external feeds into the general ledger and ensure ledger integrity.
• Communicate enquiries with internal and external colleagues.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of Financial Services.

Skills

Control accounts

VAT

Financial reporting

Month end

Data analysis

Excel

Education

NVQ Level 4 / AAT / NEBS Level 3

Tools

NHS finance systems

Job description

Go back University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Financial Accountant

The closing date is 24 September 2026

To support the effective and efficient operation of the Finance Department by supporting the Technical Team who provides a technical financial accounting and VAT function to the Trust.

Main duties of the job

• Complete and reconcile control accounts
• Support the Annual Trust reporting cycles
• Support the month end and year end accounting processes
• Preparation of the statutory monthly Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) payments and online return
• Support the Technical Services Team in managing the process for the collection and pay over of statutory payments such as Tax and National Insurance

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

Job responsibilities

• To complete and reconcile control accounts ensuring balances shown in the Trusts ledgers are correct, resolving any queries either by telephone, email or face to face with Payroll, finance and other Trust departments.
• To support the Technical Services Team with the monthly, quarterly and annual Trust reporting cycles including the creation and maintenance of accurate spread sheets to support control account balances and as working papers for audit purposes.
• To run timely transaction listings and use the results to support various reporting processes.
• To prepare, upload and post journals to the General Ledger to support the month end and year end accounting processes.
• To assist with reporting requirements of the Trusts subsidiaries as required.
• To assist with the controlled input of external feeds into the general ledger in accordance with the closedown timetable to ensure integrity of the ledger balances.
• To support the Technical Services Team in managing the process for the collection and pay over of statutory payments such as Tax and National Insurance within the set deadlines.
• To assist with the preparation of the statutory monthly VAT return in accordance with the detailed HMRC guidelines, including reconciliation of the VAT control codes and review of transactions.
• To assist with the preparation of the statutory monthly Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) payments and online return.
• Communicate by both verbal and written methods in responding to enquiries from internal and external colleagues.
• To provide cover within the team as and when required.
• To prioritise and plan own workloads.
• Routinely process sensitive information and communicate this to relevant third parties whilst observing confidentiality.
• To work in accordance with Trust Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions, and to contribute towards the continuous improvement of the Financial Services Department.
• Maintain up to date knowledge in the department by attending relevant formal training, financial updates and networking events.
• The post holder will support the development, maintenance and review of financial procedures and policies. These procedures are co-ordinated in the Trusts Finance Manual which the post holder will help to ensure is understood and complied with across the Trust.
• The post holder will support the development and review of financial systems to ensure that the financial planning function can provide a comprehensive and effective service to the Trust.
• The post holder will be expected to take part, and in some instances lead, on a number of NHS modernisation initiatives.
• The post holder will work within a rotational programme, which may mean a change in responsibility periodically.
• To participate in Trust committees and meetings as appropriate.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

• NVQ Level 4/AAT Technical Level/NEBS Level 3 or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continual professional development and a commitment to ongoing personal development
• Evidence of a commitment to personal development and continual professional development

Experience

• Fully conversant with information management and technology to a high standard
• Able to interpret complex information and system outputs
• Knowledge of NHS finance systems
• Experience of working within a Finance Department and be familiar with NHS year-end financial accounts

Communication and relationship skills

• Able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels both internally and externally, orally and in writing
• Able to communicate statutory financial regulations and NHS rules in a simplified form to non-finance people
• Strong interpersonal skills, proven ability to develop and sustain productive relationships with team members and colleagues.

Analytical and Judgement skills

• Strong analytical and interpretative skills
• Able to analyse and interpret complex financial data & resolve queries and anomalies
• Able to carry out complex calculations and make decisions on how to resolve problems from a range of options

Skills

• Able to input financial data into computer databases and spread sheets, where speed and accuracy is necessary
• Able to design, format and maintain spread sheets for specific purposes
• Potential to develop and change within the changing NHS

Planning and organisation skills

• Ability to work under pressure, to prioritise and work to tight deadlines
• Able to work independently towards expected results within defined operating policies
• Able to plan own workload to ensure weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial timetables are met

Other requirements specific to the role

• Have a flexible approach to working and be available to work outside normal hours as and when required

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Able to demonstrate a commitment and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
• All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others

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.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust