Senior Management Accountant

NHS; Grays; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Grays is looking for a Senior Management Accountant to provide financial management services and support to budget holders. The role involves producing monthly budget reports, preparing forecasts, and advising on financial issues. Candidates should have membership of AAT, experience in NHS finance, and strong IT skills. This position requires excellent communication and analytical abilities.

Qualifications

• Membership of AAT, relevant degree or equivalent qualification, or extensive experience.
• Engaged in study for CCAB or willing to commence training.
• Literate in IT/Computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Produce monthly budget reports.
• Meet with budget holders to discuss financial performance.
• Support managers to develop an annual budget.

Skills

Proficient in IT software including spreadsheets

Good oral communication skills in English

Experience working in NHS finance department

Ability to present complex financial information

High degree of accuracy

Education

Membership of AAT or relevant degree

Evidence of commitment to ongoing professional development

GCSE level or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

To provide a comprehensive financial management service to corporate managers within one or more directorates. This involves working closely with budget managers to provide financial management advice and support using information produced by the management accounting team. The role requires producing timely and accurate management information and combines technical accounting knowledge with an understanding of the operational business of the Trust. The Senior Management Accountant is part of a team supporting one or more Executive Directors and, within the team, works with a management accountant to provide financial management information and advice to a defined group of budget holders.

Main duties of the job

• Produce monthly budget reports for services within one or more directorates, ensuring the monthly reporting timetable is met, data is accurate, and appropriate accruals and pre-payments are accounted for. Reconcile budget movements, monitor savings plans, and investigate variances.
• Understand key drivers of the financial position and communicate them effectively to budget holders. Prepare robust forecast income and expenditure estimates to feed organisational monitoring returns and performance reports.
• Meet regularly with budget holders to discuss financial performance, understand reasons for variances, provide challenge and advice to ensure financial control is maintained.
• Identify areas of concern and communicate to budget holders and, where appropriate, the senior finance team and service directors. Advise on corrective action and identify opportunities for cost reduction or income generation. Follow through on agreements and provide appropriate challenge if performance does not improve.
• Attend Directorate Senior Management Team meetings with senior management and clinical staff and present financial information clearly. Explain and discuss financial performance in detail and respond to queries.
• Undertake costings for new developments and service enhancements. Attend relevant meetings with operational managers and commissioners as required.
• Provide support and advice on the revenue implications of business cases, service developments, and proposed service changes.
• Support managers to develop an annual budget that reflects available resources and the expected cost of the service, including costing an approved staffing establishment and understanding income flows and cost pressures.
• Assist budget holders in identifying Cost Improvement Programmes (CIPs) and monitor delivery and achievement of CIP targets.
• Provide support to the Senior Finance Manager in monitoring contract income, ensuring contract variations are recorded promptly and that monthly block invoices are raised and income reconciled.
• Ensure that all directorate income is invoiced correctly and regularly, providing clear supporting information for charges and liaising with debtor organisations to resolve queries.
• Provide training and advice to budget holders on trust financial and purchasing systems and interpretation of financial statements; ensure compliance with Trust Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions, and purchasing procedures.
• Contribute to the production of the Trust Annual Accounts, completing working papers, analyses, and returns as directed. Responsible for the management, development and training of the Management.

Job description

The post holder will perform the duties listed under the responsibilities above and contribute to the overall financial management and reporting framework of the service area.

Person Specification

Educational Qualifications

• Membership of AAT, relevant degree or equivalent qualification, or equivalent knowledge gained through extensive experience in a similar role.
• Engaged in study for CCAB or equivalent qualification or willing to commence training.
• Evidence of commitment to continuing and ongoing personal and professional development.
• GCSE level or equivalent.

Desirable

• Willing to learn new skills.

Knowledge

• Proficient in IT software including spreadsheets and word processing.
• Knowledge of NHS finance regime and awareness of current NHS issues and challenges.

Skills / Experience

• Literate in IT/Computer Skills.
• Good oral communication skills in English.
• Experience working in NHS finance department using computerised financial information systems.
• Ability to clearly present and explain complex financial information to non-financial managers.
• High degree of accuracy and excellent attention to detail.

Other

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and requires a DBS disclosure. UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information see the NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Thameside House, Thurrock Community Hospital, Long Lane, Grays, RM16 2PX