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Job overview
Help shape the future of healthcare finance at UHP NHS Trust
We have two exciting opportunities for Senior Management Accountants to join our Finance Team and help support the delivery of outstanding patient care.
You will provide high-quality financial advice, analysis and support to Divisions covering a range of clinical and corporate services. Working closely with operational and clinical colleagues, you will help drive informed decision-making, support service improvement and ensure resources are used effectively.
This is a rewarding and influential role with exposure to senior leaders across one of the SW's largest NHS organisations. We are looking for accountants with strong analytical and communication skills, and a proactive approach.
Why join us?
- Make a real difference to patient care.• Work within a supportive and experienced finance team.• Access excellent development opportunities.• Benefit from hybrid and flexible working arrangements.• Be part of the future of NHS finance as UHP joins the One Devon Shared Business Services (SBS) Finance Intelligence Hub in 2027, creating opportunities for enhanced reporting, analytics and system-wide collaboration.
For an informal discussion, please contact Steve Cavendish (steven.cavendish@nhs.net) or Jacqueline Judd (jackie.judd1@nhs.net).
***Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome. ***
Main duties of the job
To provide the lead accounting expertise and financial analysis to Divisional and Operational teams within them.
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is a dynamic and challenging environment, which provides acute healthcare for people in Plymouth, South West Devon and South East Cornwall. We are the largest teaching hospital in the South West and have an active commitment to developing and supporting our staff.
Our services include Emergency and Acute Assessment units, General Medical and Surgical Services, Cancer Care, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Dentistry, Ear Nose and Throat, Neurosciences and Renal services. We offer a full range of general hospital services to around 450,000 people in Plymouth, North and East Cornwall and South and West Devon.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide the lead accounting expertise and financial analysis the Management Accounting service to the Division and Operational teams within them.
Utilising specialist knowledge of complex NHS/Trust accounting systems, processes, regulations, financial techniques and relevant legislation, for individual Service lines to:
- Provide a comprehensive and high standard of management accounting service to the Operational Managers, Clinical Directors, Budget Holders, and Support Managers within their respective Directorates and Divisions / Operational Teams in a way that both supports improving patient care and balances Trust financial objectives.
- To lead on the management accounting reporting for the Division to the Divisional Finance Manager / Head of Financial Management. Ensuring Divisional management account functions such as monthly reports and forecasts are completed.
- Apply best accounting practices to ensure an accurate representation of the Directorates’ financial performance.
- Use persuasion, motivation and negotiation skills to encourage and influence Directorate Management Team Budget Holders within the Service Lines to ensure cost-effective decision making by management.
- Lead the budget setting process for Directorates ensuring that budgets are reflective of the resources required to deliver services.
- Provide financial support for complex business cases as appropriate describing the financial implications of the business case and investment appraisal techniques.
- Be able to use the Trust accounting packages to a high standard, thereby ensuring maximum information is available to the Directorates and Trust.
- Analyse variances by comparing actual income and expenditure versus budget and/or trend analysis techniques, to take account of the complex interaction between activity and income and expenditure and highlight areas of concern.
For further information please see attached job description
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A levels and 5 x GCSE Grade C or above or equivalent, including Mathematics and English Language at GCSE level.
- Either: a) Fully qualified Professional Accountant or studying towards qualification or b) Proven equivalent knowledge and demonstrable experience in a similar role
- Commitment to continuing professional development in line with relevant Institute requirements
Aptitute & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent level of numeracy
- Able to deduce key points from large/highly complex volumes of data analysing several aspects of data.
- Advanced Analytical skills.
- Proven ability to resolve highly complex problems including integration of financial and operational aspects into Strategic and operational plans.
- Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
- Able to communicate highly complex/sensitive and contentious information effectively to large groups of staff.
- Good inter-personal skills including negotiation and presentation skills. Able to overcome barriers to acceptance
- Proven ability to represent Finance at internal and external meetings.
- Excellent attention to detail
- Proficient with modern “Office” Packages pref. Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint. Aptitude for IT.
- Advanced keyboard skills to ensure highest level of accuracy at all times.
- Able to prioritise own work and that of others effectively within ever changing priorities and tight deadlines.
- Able to plan and organise complex activities and programmes within the Finance Directorate.
- Proven ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service depending on monthly, quarterly and annual cycles.
- Proven ability to work under intense pressure and to concentrate on highly complex accounting information for prolonged periods of time on a frequent basis.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Proven ability to demonstrate developed theoretical and practical proven knowledge at an advanced level and experience and expertise in financial management, accounting procedures, relevant legislation and finance policies.
- Proven ability to demonstrate recent Continuing Professional Development including specialist training and demonstrable experience relating to Finance as well as national accounting standards.
- Awareness of the current “Agenda”, national directives and all Governance aspects.
Desirable
- Management Accounting demonstrable experience
- Proven knowledge of NHS finance regime including tariff arrangements
Disposition / Attitude / Motivation
Essential
- Proven ability to interpret policies and procedures and act on own initiative without reference to line manager.
- Leads by example and instils a team approach to workload.
- Proven ability to challenge and deal with highly sensitive and contentious situations.
- Able to handle & convey sensitive information in an appropriate and discreet manner.
- Proven ability to bring about change and embed a continuous process improvement culture within staff.
- Proactive, flexible, enthusiastic, confident and highly motivated individual who demonstrates a commitment to Trust objectives and the NHS as a whole
Desirable
- Proven ability to contribute to overall strategic plans (both operationally and financially) of the Directorates.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Senior Management Accountant with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Derriford. It is listed as a Band 7 Administrative and IT role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 Per Annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 25 Aug 2026.
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