Financial Accountant

Job overview

The Postholder will be responsible for assisting the Head of Financial Accounting in all aspects of the systems, processes and controls involved in the day to day management of Cash and Financial Accounting.

This is a challenging and multi-faceted role which combines a requirement for the highest standards of technical competence in managing the outputs of a finance team and enabling service colleagues and producing high quality reports.

Within a framework established by the Head of Financial Accounting, the Financial Accountant will have autonomy to direct their own workload and relationships with the finance team and other colleagues.

Main duties of the job

As a qualified accountant, the postholder will have autonomy to interpret policies, guidance and accounting standards and to apply specialist technical accounting knowledge to discharge their duties.  The key result areas for this aspect of the role are accurate, insightful and timely information and reports.  You will support the Head of Financial Accounting to ensure that timely submissions are made for the monthly and year-end returns and statutory accounts. You will work with the Head of Financial Accounting and other members of the team in the completion of the Trust’s Annual Accounts.  You will lead on maintaining accurate and detailed working papers for audit purposes.

The postholder will supervise, and line manage staff within the Financial Accounting Team. This will include managing the Team workload and work stream allocation. Staff management duties to include recruitment, training, conducting appraisals, staff career development, and the stages of the disciplinary process.

The postholder will report to the Head of Financial Accounting and will be expected to uphold and promote the Finance Department’s policies and principles throughout the course of their work. You will have a fundamental role in ensuring financial governance and tight financial controls are in place throughout the organisation as part of the organisations Financial Framework Improvement Plan.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Financial Accounting

• 1.    Report to and deputise for the Head of Financial Accounting 2. Enhance the day-to-day management of the Financial Accounting department, including the development of the process for producing the Trust's monthly and quarterly financial returns and Annual Financial Statements. 3.  Assist the Financial Accounting team in responding to Internal and External Audit reports and in implementing agreed recommendations. 4.    Lead on all aspects of the Charitable Fund accounting, preparation of papers for the Trustees meetings, completion of the Annual Charitable Funds Accounts including liaising directly with the Auditors. 5.    To support the Head of Financial Accounting in leading and managing the relationship with outsourced service providers for the financial services function, ensuring that the Trust receives services that are value for money, fit for purpose, and in line with agreed contractual obligations. 6. Ensure that internal financial controls support an effective system of financial governance in line with the Trust's Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and Financial Procedures and Protocols, statutory and best practice requirements. 7.  Input into the production of monthly finance accounts to ensure deadlines are met. 8.    Review all applicable guidance (as issued on NHS Improvement website and portal) and perform due diligence ensuring relevant officers are notified of any key issues. 9.  Manage Cash and Agreement of Balances procedures of the annual accounts, and ensure production of the statutory returns for these areas. 1.   Support any other aspects of the year end accounts (including Charitable Funds) process as required, including the overall timetable, production of relevant working papers, liaison with internal and external stakeholders, and key members of staff – both in and out of finance - at all levels. 1.   Review all appropriate working papers and ensure a good audit trail of all workings are in place to enable external auditors to access relevant information during the audit process. Liaise with both internal and external auditors as required to resolve any queries they may have. During submission of the accounts there will be a requirement to work for longer periods of time at a high level of concentration. 1.  Ensure full review of all control accounts are reconciled on a monthly basis and that issues identified are communicated and resolved promptly. 1. Work autonomously to complete tasks outlined in the monthly Finance Timetable in a timely and accurate manner and manage staff to complete their duties. 1. Review all relevant local financial systems and procedures on an annual basis and update them as required. 1. Liaise with the Trust’s shared service for day to day management and assist the Head of Financial Accounting in the implementation of service developments. 1.  Liaise with external agencies and professional advisors including HMT, HMRC and VAT advisors. 1. Ensure that the development, documentation and regular review of updates of all procedures within the team are carried out to ensure maximum efficiency and effectives of the available staff resources.

Cash Management

• 1.    Manage the production of the weekly cash flow forecast, and the annual cash flow forecast. 2.    Support completion of the cash flow plan for the Trust. 3.    Support the Head of Financial Accounting and other members of staff in identifying cash support requirements and in presenting business cases to the NHS England for the drawdown of cash support 4.    Review daily bank statements and the cash management schedules. 5.    Reconcile the cash flow management processes to the Trusts statutory External Financing Limit (EFL) and produces monthly performance reports on EFL performance. 6.    Manage and be responsible for all the cash and bank accounts of the Trust, including maintenance of bank signatories and access to electronic banking. 7.    Ensure that available funds are sufficient for the payment of suppliers in line with the Better Payment Practice Code. 8.    Ensure that funds are available for the payment of the monthly salaries and statutory payments.