Assistant Business Unit Accountant

Job overview

As part of the Financial Management section, the post holder will be responsible for supporting the Business Unit Accountant on the monthly financial reporting for the specific Clinical Groups - ensuring that financial information is meaningful, accurate and timely.

Support the Business Unit Accountant in appraising and providing financial advice to budget managers on complex issues. This includes the interpretation and investigation of complex budget variances, and production of complex financial forecasts and trend analysis.

To support the Business Unit Accountant in working with the Directorates in the production of the annual budgets, monthly budgetary control and in the development and monitoring of Divisional savings plans.

Responsible for ensuring that information within supporting financial systems (i.e. general ledger, budget setting system, SLR, ESR) is accurate and up to date.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key budget managers, ensuring that financial policies and procedures become an integral part of the way Group teams function.

Main duties of the job

• To support the Business Unit Accountant on the monthly financial reporting for the Clinical Groups. This includes the production of timely and accurate variance analysis, forecasts and trend analysis.
• To provide effective communication and financial advice/guidance to budget managers and clinical teams on the causes of current income and expenditure trends and implications of proposed management plans.
• To support the Business Unit Accountant on setting the annual budgets for specific Clinical Groups within available financial resources. Ensure budgets are set in line with the budget setting timetable and methodology. Ensure budgets are kept up to date during the financial year through authorised budgets virements and budget changes monitored via the production of the monthly budget control schedules.
• Responsible for ensuring that any Clinical Group financial information within supporting financial systems is accurate and timely. This includes both the monthly budgetary and actual positions within the general ledger, ensuring monthly feeder systems and accruals provide an accurate financial position.
• Provide accurate and timely service costings for budget managers.
• Responsible for ensuring all Clinical Group income is captured, invoiced and reported upon in a timely manner.
• Support and deputise for the Business Unit Accountant in discussions and negotiations with budgets managers, clinicians, and other organisations - including the Trust's commissioners.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This vacancy is only open at this stage to internal employees of the following organisations within the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System:

• Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
• North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
• University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, inclusive of Black Country Procurement Group and North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service.
• Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board

Job responsibilities

Please find attached Job Description and Person Specification to obtain a detailed job description and understand the main responsibilities of this role

What we can offer you:

• An annual salary of up to £34,581 (37.5 hours per week) depending on experience
• 35-41 days annual leave including bank holidays (depending on length of service)
• Ongoing career development training
• NHS Pension Scheme one of the most comprehensive and generous schemes in the UK
• Wellbeing support, such as MPFT Staff Psychology Service, and additional wellbeing days, along with activities throughout the year
• Annual recognition event recognising our employees who live and breathe our values
• Flexible working opportunities

There is also a range of other benefits including retail discounts and special offers, a cycle to work scheme, an annual leave purchase scheme, and much more!

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified AAT/AAT Member or equivalent experience to degree level

Desirable

• Degree of equivalent Higher level of education
• Member of HFMA

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in working in a finance environment alongside accounting experience equivalent to NVQ level 5.
• Experience and expertise in financial reporting, reconciliations, control accounts, coding structures, budget setting, financial forecasting and variance reporting.
• Experience and expertise in finance computer systems and ledgers.
• Experience and expertise in Budget Setting and Financial Forecasting systems.
• Experience of liaising with budget managers and external organisations.

Desirable

• NHS / Public sector experience.
• Supervisory and training experience of junior members of staff.
• Use of NHS financial ledger systems and Business Objects reporting package.

Skills

Essential

• Good understanding of the NHS financial regime and associated NHS finance policies.
• Advanced Computing / Keyboard skills including the use of Microsoft office software packages.
• Excellent interpersonal skills /ability to communicate clearly to finance and non-finance staff in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to prioritise own work in an organised and accurate manner within deadlines.
• Analyse and make judgements upon a range of financial information including complex issues.
• Effective team member skills.
• Understanding of control accounts, reconciliations and budgeting processes.
• Understanding of professional accounting standards and legislation
• Detailed understanding of a range of financial procedures and practices.

Desirable

• PowerPoint and Presentational skills.
• Excel and Word intermediate level.
• Understanding of NHS financial regime.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn

Previous applicants need not reapply