Senior Financial Controller

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London is seeking a Senior Financial Controller to enhance financial governance and reporting. The ideal candidate will have CCAB qualifications, proven NHS finance experience, and strong leadership skills. Responsibilities include managing annual accounts and working with auditors. Competitive compensation and a commitment to continuous professional development are offered.

Benefits

Commitment to professional development

Dynamic team environment

Qualifications

• Must be CCAB qualified.
• At least two years' experience supervising financial staff.
• Demonstrable experience in NHS Finance sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production of the Trust's statutory annual accounts.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards (GAAP/IFRS).
• Manage cash flow and financial forecasting.

Skills

Financial Accounting

Treasury Management

Analytical Skills

Verbal Communication

Education

CCAB qualified

Related degree

Tools

Microsoft Office (including macros, SQL)

e-financials system

Job description

Overview

Job Summary
An exciting new opportunity has arisen for an experienced financial accountant/controller looking to enhance their career. The post holder will be one of two Senior Financial Controllers supporting the Head of Financial Services to ensure that all internal and external reporting is completed in an accurate and timely manner. The post holder will be an important leader within the Finance Directorate and in the wider organisation, responsible for Financial Accounts, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Treasury Management & Cashiers, Capital Accounting/Planning, Charitable Funds and Financial Systems. The post holder will gain a variety of experience including the opportunity to influence change and strengthen financial control at a leading Mental Health provider within the NHS. We are a dynamic team with the objective of delivering a right first time service, with a customer focus. We are committed to the Trust's values of being Respectful, Open, Collaborative, Compassionate and Consistent. There is a commitment to embedding automation to improve reporting times and support operational managers to deliver services and improve patient care and value for money.

Main duties

Responsibilities

• Lead the production of the Trust's statutory annual accounts, including comprehensive procedure notes, high quality working papers and a detailed plan and timetable to all finance and appropriate non-finance staff to ensure completion of the accounts in line with local and national deadlines.
• Produce the year end timetable and procedures to enable production of annual accounts within the Department of Health and Social Care timetable, in accordance with statutory and accounting requirements (GAAP/IFRS), and ensuring compliance with the General Accounting Manual (GAM) during year end and changes to accounting standards.
• Ensure all finance staff have up to date knowledge of current accounting standards and that the Trust's accounts are compiled accordingly.
• Be responsible for the quarterly Agreement of Balances exercise, including submission of templates to national deadlines, organising statements to be sent out and reconciliation of values to the ledger.
• Be responsible for month end and year end processes across a broad range of financial accounting tasks, producing schedules for external statutory accounts and returns to the DHSC, NHS England, ICB, etc.
• Work with external auditors during audits and ensure timely responses to queries.
• Lead on analytical review of the SOFP/SOCF and Capital areas, communicating complex information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Explain complex auditor queries to non-finance staff involved in the audit to ensure timely responses.
• Liaise with counter fraud, internal and external audit to implement best practice and ensure audit actions are communicated and implemented within the Finance Department and across the Trust.
• Prepare and manage balance sheet, cash flow, working capital and capital financial metrics, including risk identification and mitigation, and convey complex information clearly.
• Support the Head of Financial Services in monitoring cash flow with forecasts and ensuring sufficient cash.
• Manage cash and balance sheet with Deputy Director of Finance to meet internal solvency ratios.
• Lead on administration of Public Dividend Capital (PDC) / New Business Loans for capital schemes with correct accounting.
• Lead treasury management procedures with accurate cashflow reporting and support treasury activities with the Senior Accountant Treasury.
• Build stakeholder relationships with banks, debtors, creditors and VAT consultants; manage payment runs, bank mandates, and bank account administration.
• Develop and review detailed financial policies and procedures for financial accounting in line with Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions, ensuring dissemination Trust-wide.

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• CCAB qualified
• Related degree or equivalent qualification
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Financial Accounting experience or equivalent
• Demonstrable NHS Finance sector experience
• Knowledge of IFRS and VAT
• At least two years' experience supervising/managing and developing staff
• Experience creating new/improved systems and procedures to streamline duties

Desirable

• Interest in developing personal and technical skills for career development
• Experience producing annual NHS accounts
• Knowledge of e-financials system, ESR payroll system and CARS fixed asset system
• HFMA member
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including macros, SQL

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

• Experience with computerised financial systems and reporting tools
• Treasury management with positive cashflow and good banking relationships
• Ability to read, interpret and implement national policy and guidance
• Able to concentrate under pressure and manage interruptions
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to influence, persuade and motivate staff
• Ability to make reasoned judgments on financial risks
• Ability to identify risks, anticipate issues and develop solutions
• Neat and precise working methods and complete, accurate working papers

Desirable

• Understanding of capital investment decision-making techniques
• HFMA member
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (macros, SQL, etc.)

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require an DBS disclosure.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship will be considered. For details see UK Visas and Immigration.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Employer: South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust
Address: Tolworth Hospital, Red Lion Road, London, KT6 7QU
Employer's website: https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/