Senior Management Accountant

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust is seeking a Senior Management Accountant to deliver timely management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting within a complex NHS environment.

You will lead financial analysis, challenge cost improvement plans, supervise junior staff and deputise for the Senior Finance Business Partner as required. This role supports patient care through robust financial management and strong financial controls.

Qualifications

• Experience in NHS financial management and business partnering.
• Proven ability to lead management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and cost reporting.
• Ability to supervise junior finance staff and provide financial advice to non-finance managers.
• Experience of year-end accounts and Trust financial returns.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate monthly financial performance reports, forecasts, variance analysis and commentary for designated services and senior stakeholders.
• Ensure robust treatment of accruals, deferrals, commitments and run-rates across income, pay and non-pay.
• Monitor budgets and establishments; assist with annual budget setting and in-year adjustments.
• Lead monthly budget-review meetings with budget holders and translate complex data into clear recommendations.
• Develop relationships with managers and clinicians, providing constructive challenge and practical financial guidance.
• Undertake complex modelling and costings for service developments and business cases.

Job description

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

Senior Management Accountant

The closing date is 23 November 2026

Are you an ambitious finance professional looking to develop your career in NHS financial management and business partnering? South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust is seeking a proactive Finance Business Partner to provide high-quality financial advice, reporting and challenge to designated services.

Working under the direction of a Senior Finance Business Partner, you will help managers and clinicians understand their financial position, make informed decisions and deliver services within available resources. This is an excellent opportunity for a part-qualified or finalist accountant to broaden their experience in a complex NHS environment and make a visible contribution to patient care.

Main duties of the job

You will lead the delivery of accurate and timely management accounts for your areas, including month-end close, budget management, forecasting, variance analysis and clear financial reporting. You will meet regularly with budget holders to explain performance, identify risks and opportunities, agree corrective action and support delivery of cost improvement plans.

You will provide constructive financial advice and challenge on service developments, costings and business cases; undertake complex modelling using sometimes incomplete information; and ensure financial implications, affordability and risks are understood at an early stage. You will also supervise junior finance staff, support year-end and Trust returns, promote strong financial control and deputise for the Senior Finance Business Partner when required

About us

Unless expressly stated in the job advert this role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK.

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Job responsibilities

Prepare accurate, timely monthly financial performance reports, forecasts, variance analysis and commentary for designated services and senior stakeholders.

Ensure income, pay and non-pay positions are complete and robust, with appropriate treatment of accruals, deferrals, commitments and expected run-rates.

Monitor budgets and establishments throughout the year and support annual budget setting and in-year budget adjustments.

Lead monthly review meetings with budget holders, translating complex information into clear advice and agreeing actions to address variances.

Build effective working relationships with managers, clinicians and multidisciplinary teams, offering constructive challenge and practical recommendations.

Identify financial risks, opportunities and pressures, and integrate financial, activity and workforce information into planning assumptions.

Undertake complex modelling and costings for service developments, investments and business cases, including scenarios based on incomplete or evolving data.

Ensure compliance with Standing Financial Instructions, Trust policies, audit requirements and management accounting procedures.

Line manage and support junior finance staff, setting objectives, reviewing performance and developing their skills.

Support year-end accounts, Trust financial returns and timely invoicing, and deputise for the Senior Finance Business Partner as required.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• Working towards CCAB (or professionally recognised equivalent) Accountant (passed stage 2 ACCA or passed / exempt 9 papers for CIMA, or equivalent of other accountancy bodies.)
• Evidence of active and successful studying.
• Qualified CCAB (or professionally recognised equivalent.
• Participation in a recognised Continued Professional Development programme.

Experience

• An understanding of the current challenges being faced by NHS Finance Departments.
• In depth knowledge of the current NHS financial regime
• An understanding of the inter relationships of the different sub departments within Finance
• To support in preparation of Business Cases and Service Developments.
• Experience of Management Accounts, producing monthly financial accounts and management reports.
• Delivering financial advice of a large and complex nature
• Involvement in year-end accounts
• Involvement in budget setting and monitoring
• Experience of meeting with non-finance managers, being the sole finance representative at these meetings. Being able to challenge and influence in a constructive way.
• The ability to undertake complex financial modelling from often incomplete data
• Staff Management

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

£55,524 to £62,652 a yearper annum inclusive of Outer London HCAs