Reporting Accountant

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Finance Team at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust as a Reporting Accountant.

This post has become available following the internal promotion of the current post holder, reflecting the strong development opportunities available within our Finance Department. We are looking for a motivated and technically capable finance professional who is keen to develop their NHS finance career within a supportive, high-performing team.

We are seeking someone with:

• Strong technical accounting knowledge and analytical skills.
• Experience working within a finance environment, ideally within the NHS or wider public sector.
• Excellent Excel and financial systems skills.
• An understanding of governance, financial controls and financial reporting.
• The ability to interpret and communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively.
• A proactive approach to improving processes and reporting.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious finance professional who is AAT qualified, part-qualified ACCA/CIMA, or qualified by experience and looking to broaden their experience across financial reporting, planning and costing.

Main duties of the job

As Reporting Accountant, you will play a key role in the Trust's financial reporting processes, supporting the production of monthly finance returns, Board reporting, financial planning, costing and budget-setting activities. You will work closely with senior finance colleagues, supporting important organisational decision-making and ensuring that financial information is accurate, robust and delivered to demanding deadlines.

Oxford Health is committed to developing finance professionals and helping colleagues achieve their career ambitions. We are proud to be an accredited employer for AAT, ACCA and CIMA, providing a supportive environment for professional study and development.

Our Finance Department has a strong track record of investing in staff, with many colleagues progressing into more senior roles across the organisation. The promotion of the current post holder demonstrates the opportunities available for career progression within the team.

If you are looking for a role that will challenge and develop you while making a meaningful contribution to healthcare services across Oxfordshire and beyond, we would love to hear from you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Responsibilities

Financial Reporting

You will take a lead role in the preparation and submission of the Trust's monthly national finance returns (PFR), ensuring regulatory deadlines are met and reporting is completed accurately. You will support the production of financial reports, performance dashboards and Board reports, providing clear analysis and commentary to support the Trust's financial governance arrangements.

The post holder will be responsible for:

• Completion of monthly national finance returns (PFR) and supporting regulatory submissions.
• Producing financial analysis, reports, graphs and dashboards for senior management and Board reporting.
• Supporting Trust-wide Cost Improvement Programme (CIP) reporting and analysis.
• Producing temporary staffing reports and performance analysis.
• Maintaining reserves reporting and budget reconciliations.
• Supporting month-end processes, including completion of journals and review of reporting templates.
• Responding to financial information requests, including Freedom of Information enquiries.
• Providing financial insight and analysis to support organisational decision-making.

Budget Setting and Financial Planning

The role will support the annual budget-setting process and long-term financial planning activities across the Trust. You will assist in translating approved financial plans into operational budgets and ensure changes are properly reflected within financial systems.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting the development and maintenance of annual, medium-term and long-term financial plans.
• Completing budget journals and adjustments to reflect agreed plans and funding allocations.
• Supporting the allocation and monitoring of Cost Improvement Programme targets.
• Maintaining accurate records of reserve allocations and budget movements.
• Producing planning reports, reconciliations and workforce planning information.
• Supporting the completion of annual planning returns and external submissions.

Costing and Financial Analysis

You will contribute to the Trust's costing and benchmarking activities, helping ensure robust financial information is available to support service and operational decision-making. This area of work provides an excellent opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in NHS costing methodologies and performance analysis.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the production and submission of the National Cost Collection.
• Assisting with the preparation and analysis of patient-level costing information.
• Reviewing complex financial data to ensure accuracy and integrity.
• Supporting national and local benchmarking exercises.
• Working collaboratively with finance colleagues to improve the quality and usefulness of financial reporting information.

Stakeholder Engagement and Service Improvement

The successful candidate will work with colleagues across Finance, Operational Services, Workforce and Corporate Departments, building strong relationships to support effective financial management across the organisation. The role requires someone who can confidently communicate financial information to both finance and non-finance audiences.

You will:

• Provide financial advice and support to colleagues across the Trust.
• Attend meetings on behalf of senior finance colleagues where required.
• Support the development of reporting processes and systems.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the finance function.
• Ensure robust governance, internal control and data quality standards are maintained.

About You

This role would suit an ambitious finance professional with strong technical accounting skills, excellent analytical ability and a keen eye for detail. You will have experience of working in a finance environment and be comfortable managing multiple priorities within a fast-paced setting. An understanding of financial reporting, governance, budgeting and internal controls is essential, while NHS finance experience would be advantageous.

The role provides an excellent opportunity to develop a broad range of NHS finance skills while working within a supportive team that actively invests in professional development and career progression.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.