Principal Financial Accountant

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a finance professional to support the Head of Financial Reporting & Control, ensuring accurate income, capex and balance sheet entries. You will prepare statutory accounts and provide timely reporting to the Board and NHSE.

The role requires extensive NHS finance knowledge, autonomy, and ability to work with senior stakeholders to meet deadlines.

Qualifications

• Financial qualification with accountability body or equivalent.
• Evidence of CPD compliance and ongoing learning.
• Honours degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting for the Trust and stakeholders.
• Financial Accounts/Annual Financial Statement preparation.
• Capital Accounting including Asset Management.
• Contract Income management and reporting.
• Treasury management and cash flow oversight.
• Make judgements and decisions within policy and procedures.
• Communicate with committees and senior managers.

Skills

Financial Management

NHS Finance

Accounting Standards

IT Proficiency

Education

Part Qualified Accountant

Honours Degree

CPD Compliance

Tools

MS Excel

Integrated Ledger

CPD Tracking System

Job description

The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of individuals from BME backgrounds and welcomes applicants from these communities. DCHS is also an LGBT inclusive employer. Selection will be on a basis of merit. The Trust has achieved the status of a Disability Confident Leader and guarantees to invite to assessment applicants who meet the criteria for the job vacancy. To ensure the diversity of the workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.

Be outstanding - join an outstanding team!

Job overview

The role will be an integral part of the Finance Team providing support to the Head of Financial Reporting & Control and providing a reliable and responsive financial accounting service to ensure the provision of high-quality financial advice and information to Senior Managers, Committees, and other stakeholders.

The post holder will ensure the integrity and accuracy of all income, capital expenditure and balance sheet transactions recorded in the Trust's General Ledger and adherence to the requirements of the Trust's Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions & Scheme of Delegation.

The role will facilitate production of timely and relevant information for the completion of monitoring reports to the Board, Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS England (NHSE) including capital reporting. Prepare and complete statutory accounts in line with Department of Health & Social Care, interpreting these when necessary, ensuring local and national timetables are met.

Main duties of the job

• Financial Reporting
• Financial Accounts/Annual Financial Statement
• Capital Accounting including Asset Management
• Contract Income
• Treasury Management
• Decisions & Judgements
• Communication & Relationships

Working for our organisation

Our purpose is to provide community health services to a patient population of over one million people in Derbyshire and Derby, as part of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.

We employ around 4,200 substantive staff, caring for patients in 11 community hospitals and more than 30 health centres, as well as in clinics, GP practices, schools, care homes and, increasingly, in people's own homes and via virtual consultations.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Financial Qualification with an Accountancy Body - minimum Part Qualified or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of compliance with institute CPD requirements.
• Honours degree or equivalent level of qualification and/or equivalent experience.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant finance experience, working in an NHS or similar organisation to understand complexities of processes.
• Extensive specialist knowledge over more than one Financial Services function acquired through experience.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS financial environment and regime.
• Ability to work autonomously and knowledge of accounting standards, manuals, procedures, systems, policies, financial governance matters, relevant legislation and audit requirements.
• Staff management experience including finance staff development
• Extensive understanding of the financial (and other) requirements/duties of NHS providers
• Experience of preparing the statutory annual accounts

Knowledge & Skills

Essential criteria

• Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate complex financial data to nonfinance managers;
• Communicate contentious information to an audience that may not be receptive;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, including the production of Committee papers.
• Confidence in using IT e.g. Microsoft e.g. Microsoft Office, integrated financial ledger system, databases with accurate output.
• Highly developed negotiating and influencing skills.
• Ability to form judgements and make autonomous decisions guided by policies and procedures.
• Effective critical thinking skills, especially for new issues where no precedent to follow.
• Ability to set clear and concise objectives, prioritise and monitor progress and take appropriate action to achieve outcomes by required deadlines.
• Experience of planning at both operational and strategic levels.

Desirable criteria

• The ability to negotiate effectively with a wide range of people and professionals up to Board Level, both internally and externally.
• Experience of finance systems development.

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust (DCHS) is one of the largest providers of specialist community healthcare in England and we currently employ around 4,500 staff. We deliver a variety of services across Derbyshire, caring for nearly 1.8 million patients each year.

We deliver patient care through 11 community hospitals, 4 minor injury units, 29 health centres and a learning disability centre. Another key part of our service is out in the community where we care for people in their own homes via therapists, health visitors and district nurses, and promoting public health in the wider community. As a Trust we care for patients of all ages with a special focus on the needs of elderly people and the very young.

DCHS has been recognised as a top 10 NHS organisation to work for in the UK by the Health Service Journal and NHS Employers in their Best Places to Work 2015 campaign. The Trust is also the runner-up in the category for the best NHS community trust employer.

TWITTER/FACEBOOK - DCHS has its own Social Media accounts for recruitment. Follow us/like us via @dchsjobs

Our vision is to see the health of local communities improve through partnership working, putting people at the centre and looking to the future.

Our values:

1) To get the basics right - For each other, local people and communities

2) To act with compassion and respect - For each other, local people and communities

3) To make a positive difference - For each other, local people and communities

4) To value and develop teamwork - With our partners and within DCHS

5) To value diversity and inclusivity - Of each other, local people and communities.

• The majority of our locations offer free parking facilities for staff.

We will communicate with you regarding your application via email so please check your email account on a regular basis. If using hotmail, MSN or yahoo email accounts please check your 'junk/spam' mail regularly.

If you require any support in completing the application form please do not hesitate to contact the Recruitment Team, 01332 564856, option 1, option 1 or [e-mail] and we will be happy to provide assistance.

Please note - if we receive a high number of applications for this position we reserve the right to withdraw the post before the closing date, therefore it is advisable that you apply as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for our service and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that's job share, part time or another flexible pattern.