Financial Accounting Officer – Technical Accounts

Job overview

Reporting to the Financial Accountant – Technical Accounts, the post holder will have responsibilities across the Financial Accounts function. This post requires a combination of accounting and organisational skills and is expected to work to tight deadlines to achieve the reporting and financial governance requirements of the department.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be playing a key role in helping to deliver the financial accounting and reporting agenda for the Trust, by providing dedicated support to the Financial Accountant – Technical Accounts in the production of data and information from which the monthly reports and accounts can be produced. They will also have responsibility for completion of designated (SoFP) control accounts reconciliations.

There is a requirement of this post to liaise with internal colleagues and occasionally, external stakeholders, including the Trust’s auditors, and NHS Shared Business Services (SBS), and is expected to provide accurate and timely information as and when requested. Organisation skills, planning ability and time management is required. As part of continuous improvement, the post will work alongside the Financial Accounting Officer – AI and Robotics, and will be responsible for the subsequent administration of systems developed and implemented (expected to include salary sacrifice / lease car schemes), liaising with non-finance colleagues as necessary (e.g. payroll). To source and provide information relating to Freedom of Information requests for review by the Financial Accountant – Technical Accounts and maintain a log of requests to ascertain items that should be shared routinely via the Trusts website, and update as necessary.

The post holder will be based at City Hospital Campus but will work flexibly from home.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide operational support to the Financial Accountant – Technical Accounts in the delivery of all statutory / NHS accounts and monthly returns (including Provider Financial Returns (PFR’s), Statutory Accounts and detailed working papers) which represent a true and fair view of the Trust position and meet financial timescales and legal requirements. To assist in the comprehensive production of all necessary detailed working papers for the monthly / annual accounts. To maintain the integrity of the trial balance (TB), properly coding transactions to ensure that production of the key reports and statements can be derived from the General Ledger with minimal manual intervention. To follow the agreed timetable relating to Trust control accounts and suspense accounts, ensuring that all procedures are followed in a timely manner. Work alongside the Financial Accounting Officer – AI and Robotics and be responsible for the day-to-day operation / update of systems developed including salary sacrifice / lease car schemes, liaising with non-finance colleagues as necessary (e.g. payroll) and identify and resolve any problems. Input to the annual accounts and audit as required, responding to audit queries as directed by the Financial Accountants. Act on advice from the Financial Accountant - Technical Accounts to correctly comply with new or updated accounting standards as adopted by the NHS and adapt existing processes as necessary, ensuring that information is devolved as widely as necessary, acting as a focal point for subsequent queries. Accounting for injury cost recovery transactions including bad debt calculations. Reconcile reserve movements relating to Public Dividend Capital, Revaluation and Retained Earnings. Attend periodical stock takes, transact movements into the general ledger and prepare reports for the Financial Accountant – Technical Accounts. Ensure information is stored at an appropriate level in the GL to ensure both internal and external reporting requirements are met and that the balances can be easily reconciled to external sources. Update payroll mapping tables to ensure the Electronic Staff Record (ESR) feeder system updates the ledger codes appropriately for each of the pay elements and reconcile the ‘gross to net’ reports to the control accounts. Work with the Transactional Services Manager to ensure the Trust has coverage in terms of its bad/doubtful debt provision ensuring the position is re-evaluated, transacted and reported on a timely basis to Management Accounts. Ensure statutory reporting of private and overseas patients is reconciled to departmental records, ensuring accuracy of reporting of the monthly cash recovery, reported income and any write-offs. Responsibility for the performance management and development of the Financial Accounts Assistant. Undertake performance reviews, appraisals and regular 1:1 meetings. Comply with Trust values and behaviours within the Department. Adapt to new ways of working, including automation and artificial intelligence in Finance. Ensure compliance with Corporate Governance (financial controls), Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and other standards, working with colleagues across the Finance function and in the wider Trust to promote good governance practice and the highest standards of business conduct. Any other duties as determined appropriate by the Financial Accountant – Technical Accounts and provision of cross-cover for the Financial Accounting Officer – Group Accounting and Cash.