Capital Accountant, Band 8a

Job overview

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to work in an ambitious team to help deliver an exciting yet challenging £60m Capital Programme for the Trust.

This post will work with the Project Accountant and manage others in the project accounts team to deliver financial support to key Trust capital projects, the development of the long-term capital financial plan and to undertake financial reporting in respect of capital assets.

We are seeking someone who will work with the Project Accountant in shaping the vision shared by the Director of Finance in growing and developing the financial support for projects at the Trust in order to set a benchmark to which other NHS organisations will aspire.

If you have energy, positivity and motivation as well as experience of capital financial management and accounting standards then you could well be suited for this role within a very welcoming and supportive finance team and we would be delighted to receive your application.

Main duties of the job

This role will be responsible for financial and non-financial reporting of the capital position, this will include business case production as well as reporting and forecasting the financial impact of major projects within the monthly reporting cycle.

You will lead the annual and long-term planning processes as well as all aspects of completion of the Trust’s Annual Accounts related to capital ensuring that accurate and detailed working papers are maintained for audit.

The post holder will manage and report on the fixed asset position of the Trust to include maintenance and reconciliation of the Fixed Asset Register and Lease Register used for IFRS16 reporting ensuring that these reflect the assets and lease liabilities of the Trust.  You will also organise revaluation exercises per DHSC guidance. The post holder will deputise for the Project Accountant in key meetings as required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Oversee financial monitoring and reporting of the Trust's capital programme expenditure and the status of projects so that the Trust can maintain an accurate and up-to-date asset register.

Ensures that capital charges are calculated accurately and that monthly journals for depreciation are completed in accordance with the monthly closedown timetable and forecasts produced.

Completes the documentation and audit trail working papers for fixed assets for the Trust’s annual accounts to the deadlines required.

Liaising with the Trust’s valuers, providing them with the information required in order for them to assess the value of the Trust’s estate on an annual basis and accounting for this valuation with the Trust’s accounts and asset register.

Responsible for leading on the maintenance of the Trust’s fixed asset register including right of use assets to ensure that it is as accurate and complete as possible (including additions, disposals, revaluations, impairments etc.) as well as leading on developing policies and procedures in relation to capital.

Lead the annual asset verification exercise for the Trust.

Lead on the financial reporting of the Trust’s capital programme, monitors performance against capital budgets and produces monthly project progress reports and budget statements to project leads.

Review the financial ledger to ensure that the financial position for capital projects is accurately reflected within the monthly reported position. Investigating and correcting where this is not the case.

Review the financial ledger to ensure that the expenditure that is against capital projects is in line with accounting standards and Trust accounting policies, to include responsibility for supervising the Finance Manager & Finance Analyst in their month end responsibilities for entering journals to the agreed timetable.

To work closely with the project leads to investigate, summarise and challenge any variances to plan or latest forecasts, identifying the causes. Provide support to the Project Accountant on any applications for additional capital funding and ensuring that the timely draw down of the funding is informed to the Head of Financial Services.

Provide information and support to project leads in response to particular queries or requirements.

Assist and sometimes lead on the provision of information to support internal and external reports.

To work with the Project Accountant in the co-ordination, development, management and reporting of multi-year capital plans incorporating all capital funding streams, in line with Trust and System prioritisation frameworks and guidance.

To support the Project Accountant, where appropriate, in developing a wider Trust wide financial reporting model which links in capital, revenue, activity and workforce.

Oversee the monitoring and provision of capital information on the timing of capital payments and receipts to support the monitoring of the Trust’s cash position and timely drawing of external fund

Lead on the accurate recording of business case and capital budgetary approvals and ensure that they are uploaded onto the Finance system and each have a designated project lead responsible for delivery.

Provide, often highly complex financial support particularly around capital accounting business plans, investment business cases and options appraisals, where driven by national or local initiatives, to ensure that all major developments are fully supported and developed with reliable and robust financial input and advice.

Where required, participate and undertake any financial appraisals (such as: Net Present Value calculations) to support the financial assessment of business proposals.

Work with financial and non-financial managers to support the construction of business cases and the review of business cases ensuring all aspects of capital and revenue finance are included and all areas to be impacted are covered.

Work with the team to develop and maintain an efficient capture and logging of business cases and investment decisions.

Provision of professional complex, sensitive or contentious financial advice and support to Senior Managers, Budget Holders/Project Leads and Finance staff, including information on accounting treatment and governance processes. Be the Trust expert in IFRS16 accounting.

To promote and challenge to ensure that the Trust’s Financial Policies including Trust Standing Financial Instructions and Standing Orders are adhered to, value for money secured and financial stability achieved.

Escalating incidences where appropriate.

In conjunction with the Project Accountant, oversee internal and external audit requests relating to capital expenditure, assets and lease liabilities ensuring they are responded to in a timely manner. Respond to any areas requiring improvement in ISA260 or Management Findings where appropriate.

Responsible for the members of staff designated to report to this post. This will include line management, appraisals, training and development, sickness absence, disciplinary matters, recruitment and selection decisions, personal and career development and workload allocations.

Contact Details

Tom Devitt (Project Accountant)

[email protected]

Available between 9am and 5pm.  Worth emailing first with contact details to arrange a suitable time for a call.