Senior Accountant (Technical)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Personal & professional development

NHS employee benefits

NHS Pension Scheme

Job summary

NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB is seeking a Senior Accountant to lead the ICB’s statutory annual accounts, oversee monthly financial returns to NHS England, and liaise with audits. The role also includes managing the financial reporting team and advising on tax for complex arrangements.

Fit depends on a CCAB qualification and senior-level experience in a politically sensitive setting, with hybrid working options and strong governance responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Masters level qualification or equivalent senior experience in a specialist area.
• Qualified CCAB accountant, with membership of relevant professional bodies if applicable.
• Evidence of continued professional development.

Responsibilities

• Advise on tax implications of complex financial arrangements, including VAT and PAYE, and optimise the ICB's tax position.
• Ensure delivery of the ICB's statutory annual accounts, meeting audit requirements and accounting standards.
• Prepare monthly and ad hoc financial monitoring returns to NHS England by deadlines.
• Co-ordinate provider data into system financial returns and summarise the system financial position.
• Keep financial governance policies current and aligned with national guidance.
• Manage the financial reporting team, including staff wellbeing.
• Keep standing operating procedures up to date, reviewed annually.
• Act as primary interface with internal and external audit, ensuring access to records and drafting responses to audit matters.
• Lead CIP reporting and design/delivery for the relevant budget area.
• Coordinate CIP planning, delivery, measurement and reporting across teams.
• Manage the ICB's reported risk position and collaborate with other teams.
• Work in a matrix and flexible way across multiple teams to support business needs.

Skills

Healthcare policy

Budgeting

Stakeholder influence

NHS system knowledge

Risk management

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree or equivalent senior experience

CCAB qualification

CPD evidence

Job description

This Senior Accountant post sits in the Finance directorate of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, which works as one team with NHS Devon. The role leads the ICB's statutory annual accounts, monthly financial returns to NHS England, audit liaison and cost improvement programme reporting. It also manages the financial reporting team and advises on tax for complex arrangements. Fit depends on a CCAB qualification and senior-level experience in a politically sensitive setting.

What the job involves

• Advise on tax implications of complex financial arrangements, including VAT and PAYE, and optimise the ICB's tax position
• Ensure delivery of the ICB's statutory annual accounts, meeting audit requirements, accounting standards and a true and fair view
• Prepare monthly and ad hoc financial monitoring returns to NHS England by notified deadlines
• Co-ordinate provider data into system financial returns and summarise the system financial position
• Keep financial governance policies current, make recommendations and take account of national guidance
• Manage the financial reporting team, including staff wellbeing
• Keep standing operating procedures up to date, reviewed at least annually
• Act as prime interface with internal and external audit, ensuring access to records and drafting responses to audit matters
• Lead overall CIP reporting and lead design and delivery for the relevant budget area
• Co-ordinate planning, delivery, measurement and reporting of CIP across teams
• Manage the ICB's reported risk position, working with other teams
• Work in a matrix and flexible way across multiple teams to support business needs

What’s required

Qualifications

• Educated to masters level, or equivalent senior experience in a specialist area
• Qualified CCAB accountant, with membership of relevant professional bodies if applicable
• Evidence of continued professional development

Experience

• Significant experience operating in a politically sensitive environment
• Significant experience co-ordinating projects in highly complex environments, with efficient programme management and on‑time delivery
• Experience managing risk, reporting, budget monitoring and business planning
• Writing briefing papers and correspondence at SLT or chief officer level
• Identifying, interpreting and leading implementation of national policy, and researching best practice
• Managing complex situations and motivating a team, reviewing individual performance

Skills & knowledge

• Extensive specialist knowledge from postgraduate study or equivalent experience
• Understanding of current healthcare policy and its implications
• Ability to support budget setting across a directorate's teams and services
• Strong grasp of how NHS organisations relate to system, regional and national bodies
• Skilled at influencing, negotiating and presenting complex, sensitive information to senior and external stakeholders
• Ability to anticipate risks, create solutions and resolve project or service problems

Other

• Adaptability in high uncertainty and frequent change

What’s offered

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Opportunities for personal and professional development
• Access to NHS employee benefits and wellbeing support
• NHS Pension Scheme