Divisional Accountant

Job overview

This post is one of two Divisional Accountant roles in our Financial Management Team, that play a key tactical position to support Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust to respond appropriately to a dynamic and complex financial environment.  The post holder will report to a Head of Divisional Finance, working as part of a wider, dynamic team in delivering an effective Financial Management service supporting operational managers and staff across our clinical divisions.

Main duties of the job

The main duties of the Divisional Accountant include, but are not limited to:

To act as Junior Business Partner to the Divisions, providing numbers and expert advice at Divisional Review meetings and to Divisional Managers and to the Trust Executive Team as and when required

To work closely with the Core Team to produce monthly management accounts which have integrity and support Divisions individually, and consequently the Trust as a whole, in achieving their financial objectives

To support Divisions with the preparation of annual budgets

To produce ongoing advice to budget holders on managing and understanding their expenditure variances

To ensure compliance with Trust and NHS policies and procedures

To provide financial input into business plans, investment proposals and options appraisals

To propose and design modifications to financial processes to suit changes in business patterns and organisational structures

To ensure by persuasion, negotiation and effective process management that corrective actions agreed by Divisions and individuals are delivered within the agreed timescales

To provide training in financial management to non-financial managers

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Financial Management

Act as a financial adviser to the Division/s to which the postholder is aligned, including making a very significant contribution to the Divisions business planning and financial monitoring processes

Ensure that relevant regulations and standards are met

Support Finance Business Partners (FBPs) and Heads of Divisional Finance (HoDF) on system and process enhancement projects

Supporting in the devising and implementation of strategies to enable the financial management service to keep in step with business developments, thereby ensuring the continued production of high-quality financial management information to Trust deadlines.

Collation and presentation of financial reports to the Board, Management Executive and Divisional teams

Working with members of these groups to define their particular reporting requirements and to work with colleagues in other areas to deliver acceptable solutions to those requirements

Providing briefing papers for senior management on specific issues Leading on the follow up of actions points arising from those reviews and chasing delivery of agreed actions, including exercising judgement on relative priorities

Developing and implementing improved internal reports designed to deliver advanced cost and activity information whilst ensuring that appropriate authorisation controls are implemented

Identifying, and sharing with colleagues, areas of good practice

Developing and refining the systems and processes used within the department

Deputising for FBPs and HoDF as and when required

Designing and delivering training geared towards achieving a customer focus Devising means of cultivating a customer focussed culture within the department

Interpreting national standards and guidance and preparing briefing notes for finance staff

Developing and maintaining procedures for the department

Financial Governance

Plan, implement, monitor and review the development of financial systems used for financial management ensuring they deliver value for money, efficiency and quality

Ensure internal audit reports are responded to in a timely manner.

Promote all matters of corporate governance (including development and improvement of arrangements) throughout the Trust.

Ensure the Directorate’s policies, procedures and Trust’s Standing Financial Instructions are strictly adhered to.

Contribute to the development of systems, control processes and risk management that ensure full compliance with internal and external governance and best practice requirements relating to contracting, commissioning, financial projects and costing processes.