Management Accountant

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS organization is seeking a Senior Management Accountant to provide management and financial information to support decision-making. The successful candidate will oversee operational financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis within a Directorate. Qualifications include CCAB qualification and a minimum of 3 years experience in management accounting, ideally within the NHS sector. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential for this role, along with proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience in management accounts support, preferably in the NHS.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial data.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior management.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive management accounting service.
• Prepare budgets and forecasts including commentary.
• Investigate variances against budget and provide analysis.

Skills

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Microsoft Excel

Negotiation skills

Education

CCAB finalist or equivalent experience

CCAB Qualified

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The primary purpose of the Senior Management Accountant is to provide management and financial information and support to their assigned Directorates and ensure that their financial requirements are understood and delivered by themself and/or by other members of the financial management team.

The Senior Management Accountant is responsible for the delivery of all aspects of operational financial management within a Directorate area, providing advice, information, analysis and interpretation to Directors and budget holders to underpin effective decision making and meaningful performance management. The role involves maintaining financial control, delivering finance reporting, supporting budget setting, cost improvement and productivity schemes.

Key responsibilities

• Ensure the effective provision of a comprehensive management accounting service.
• Prepare annual budgets and quarterly forecasts, including supporting scenarios and commentary.
• Coordinate and produce accurate and timely in‑month forecasting.
• Investigate and challenge variances against budget and forecast, providing analysis and commentary where appropriate.
• Undertake regular meetings with budget holders (without supervision) to review accounts and support their understanding of the financial position.
• Finance & Business Planning – produce summary financial plans for services, identify financial risks, lead annual and periodic detailed budget setting processes, and provide financial input to business cases.
• Reporting – produce accurate and timely monthly finance reports, monitor budget performance and analyse variances, produce accurate financial forecasts, assist with financial returns and questionnaires.
• Productivity & Efficiency – assist the Directorate with the Cost Improvement Programme, develop cost awareness, quantify key cost drivers and model implications of activity changes.
• Engagement – promote a modern collaborative approach to engaging clinicians, work positively with the finance team to ensure requirements are understood, and deliver standardisation of processes.
• Other – act as a representative for the Finance Directorate and perform ad‑hoc duties as required.

Personal specification (Qualifications)

• CCAB finalist or equivalent experience.
• CCAB Qualified.
• Understanding of key operational and financial challenges facing the NHS.
• Minimum of 3 years experience working in a large organisation providing management accounts support, preferably in an NHS setting.
• Ability to analyse, compare and interpret highly complex financial and performance data using sound judgement.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office packages, including Excel, and able to manipulate and interrogate large databases or datasets.
• Able to assess workload and manage resources to meet overlapping targets and objectives.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to express highly complex, sensitive or contentious issues clearly, and to influence, persuade and negotiate at senior management level.
• Excellent presentation and negotiation skills.
• Experience of investigation and analysis of financial issues, including evidence of detailed and precise report writing.
• Able to work autonomously and make complex decisions independently.

Working for our organisation

The South East London Finance Academy is committed to fostering professional development and career growth for all, with a particular aim of enhancing opportunities for under‑represented groups and improving the diversity of our finance community. The role may include a potential secondment opportunity, subject to agreement between the host and receiving organisations.

Equal Opportunities

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is a Disability Confident Employer, welcomes applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics, and is committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity. The Trust embeds its commitment to tackling inequality and eliminating discrimination, harassment and promotes equality of opportunity throughout its services and staff.