Head of Financial Accounts

Eden Brown Synergy; Redhill; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Eden Brown Synergy is supporting an NHS Trust in Surrey to appoint an experienced Head of Financial Accounts for an initial 3-month period. The role is full-time, on-site three days per week in Redhill, paying £292.89 per day PAYE plus holiday entitlement.

You will lead statutory accounting, annual accounts, treasury, working capital and financial systems, ensuring robust controls and timely delivery of statutory returns.

Qualifications

• CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant with current professional membership.
• Master's degree or equivalent level of specialist knowledge across NHS finance leadership.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and leadership capability.
• Significant post-qualification experience in a senior finance leadership role within an NHS organisation.
• Experience leading a broad Financial Services or financial accounting function within a large and complex organisation, covering statutory reporting, treasury, working capital, capital accounting, financial control and financial systems.
• Significant experience of leading annual accounts, statutory reporting, technical accounting and audit processes within a complex NHS organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead statutory financial reporting and co-ordinate the preparation of annual statutory accounts and relevant financial sections of the Annual Report.
• Ensure the annual accounts present a true and fair view and comply with applicable IFRS, the DHSC Group Accounting Manual and other relevant requirements.
• Provide expert technical accounting advice to finance and non-finance colleagues and maintain robust audit trails.
• Lead and develop the Financial Services Team, promote continuous improvement and effective use of digital systems, deputising for the Deputy Chief Finance Officer as required.
• Maintain integrity of the general ledger, control accounts and balance sheet with timely reconciliations and issue resolution.

Skills

CCAB/CIMA qualified

Leadership

Financial reporting

NHS knowledge

Financial systems

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Eden Brown Synergy are working with an NHS Trust in Surrey who are looking for an experienced Head of Financial Accounts for 3 months initially.

The role is full time, to start ASAP and paying 292.89 PAYE per day + holiday pay. This role is direct engagement via the Trust.

You will need to be on site 3 days a week in Redhill, Surrey.

The role

• The Head of Financial Services is a senior finance leadership role responsible for the integrity, control and development of the Trust's financial accounting, statutory reporting, treasury, working capital, capital accounting, charitable funds accounting and core financial systems.
• The postholder will lead the preparation of the Trust's annual accounts and relevant statutory and regulatory returns, ensuring compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards, NHS accounting guidance, tax requirements, national timetables and audit expectations.
• The postholder will provide expert technical advice, professional leadership and constructive challenge to senior finance, operational and corporate colleagues. They will ensure that the Trust's ledger, balance sheet, cash, receivables, payables, fixed assets and associated financial controls are robust, transparent and supported by clear audit trails.
• The postholder will lead and develop the Financial Services Team, promote continuous improvement and effective use of digital systems, and deputise for the Deputy Chief Finance Officer as required.

Main duties and key responsibilities

Communication and professional leadership

1. Build trusted relationships across the Trust and provide clear, authoritative technical accounting advice to finance and non-finance colleagues.
2. Communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious financial information clearly, adapting style and content for Executive Directors, Board Committees, managers, clinicians, auditors and external bodies.

Statutory accounts, returns and technical accounting

1. Act as the Trust's specialist lead for statutory financial reporting, co-ordinating the preparation of the annual statutory accounts and relevant financial sections of the Annual Report.
2. Ensure the annual accounts present a true and fair view and comply with applicable International Financial Reporting Standards, the DHSC Group Accounting Manual and other relevant requirements.

Financial control, monitoring and reporting

1. Ensure the integrity of the Trust's general ledger, control accounts and statement of financial position through robust reconciliations, review, challenge and timely resolution of issues.
2. Ensure income, expenditure, assets and liabilities are recorded accurately and in the correct period, with appropriate scrutiny of working capital and other material balances.

Treasury, cash and working capital

1. Lead the effective management, monitoring and forecasting of cash, receivables and payables, ensuring the Trust maintains appropriate liquidity and complies with treasury policies.
2. Prepare and maintain robust annual and rolling cash forecasts, incorporating operational plans, working-capital movements, capital expenditure and known service developments.

Capital Planning, Accounting and Programme Management

1. Lead the financial planning, development, monitoring and reporting of the Trust's capital programme, ensuring capital investment is aligned with the Trust's strategic priorities, available funding and relevant NHS capital requirements.

Essential Criteria for the role:

• CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant with evidence of current professional membership.
• Master's degree or equivalent level of specialist knowledge acquired through substantial post-qualification experience, professional development and senior leadership experience across complex NHS financial services.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and commitment to maintaining professional knowledge and leadership capability.
• Significant post-qualification experience in a senior finance leadership role within an NHS organisation.
• Experience of leading a broad Financial Services or financial accounting function within a large and complex organisation, covering statutory reporting, treasury, working capital, capital accounting, financial control and financial systems.
• Significant experience of leading annual accounts, statutory reporting, technical accounting and audit processes within a complex NHS organisation.
• Significant experience of maintaining robust financial control, statement of financial position integrity and effective month-end and year-end closedown arrangements.
• Significant experience of leading medium and long-term capital financial planning, accounting, forecasting, monitoring and reporting, including capital investment appraisal and integration with cash, working capital and the statement of financial position.

Eden Brown Synergy is an equal opportunities employer.