Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a suitably experienced and motivated Care Group Accountant to join our successful team within the award-winning Financial Management function at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
The role is a key part of our finance team providing financial support and guidance to the organisation and supporting the financial strategy of the department. We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who is passionate about what they do in order to support delivering the best care for patients.
In return, we will offer you a warm and welcoming environment where you will be fully supported.
We operate an agile working policy, whereby the team is based on-site for a proportion of the week and has the option to work at home, where preferred, for the remainder. We are also Future Focussed Finance Accredited, CIMA Premier Partners, and ACCA Approved Employers (GOLD).
Main Duties of the Job
To provide a high-quality and responsive financial management service to the care group encompassing:
1. Business Advice and Planning
2. Financial Control
3. Efficiency & Productivity Improvement
4. Management of the Finance Team
5. Other Corporate Finance Responsibilities
The scope of the role, specifically in terms of financial planning and control and financial performance and reporting covers the entire turnover of the care group, which will be c£60m.
The post holder will be responsible for the management and performance of the Care Group Financial Management Team (5.00 WTE) in the provision of a high-quality and responsive service to the care group and will lead on the setting, maintenance, and development of financial standards of performance and service delivery within the team.
In the discharge of his/her duties, the post holder will be expected to communicate closely and effectively with clinical directors, lead clinicians, care group & other service managers and will represent the finance department at sub-committees of the care group and the Trust at meetings with external agencies.
Job Responsibilities
Business Advice and Planning
Through the provision of expert, high-quality, timely financial and business advice, the Care Group Accountant will take lead responsibility for the Clinical Care Group's use of financial resources and the achievement of the Care Group's financial objectives, thereby assisting the Care Groups in the achievement of their activity, access, quality, and workforce targets as set by the Trust Board through the operational planning framework.
More specifically, this will include advising on:
1. The financial and economic implications of national and local policies, targets, and procedures
2. The development and implementation of longer-term operational & financial planning consistent with current spending review settlements for the NHS
3. Development of schemes to support delivery of their Improving Quality Eliminating Waste targets (IQEW)
4. Supporting the care group in the active pursuit of opportunities to increase and protect income & market share, including the accurate assessment of income and expenditure implications of such proposed service developments / growth
Financial Control
The Care Group Accountant will maintain the Trust's financial performance framework, ensuring financial control is maintained at Care Group and Departmental level through:
1. Ensuring the care group is aware, adequately trained, and adheres to the Standing Financial Instructions of the trust
2. Monitoring actual performance against income, expenditure, and cost reduction targets
3. Forecasting future performance and assessment of associated financial risk
4. Concise and accurate reporting of financial performance to Care Group Management and the Trust Board, to assist decision-making at all levels
5. Disseminating key messages to Care Group and Departmental staff, including challenging relevant individuals when required
6. Development and implementation of action plans to address poor performance
7. Escalation to senior management where performance does not improve or where financial risk is increasing despite these measures being put in place
Efficiency and Productivity Improvement
The Care Group Accountant will actively seek opportunities to drive the improvements expected by the Trust Board in clinical efficiency and productivity, and will assist Care Groups in developing and implementing strategies to achieve these aims, for example through:
1. The continued development and usage of Patient Level information and Costing (PLICS) through clinical engagement to provide robust financial intelligence at granular service level and at individual patient level
2. Identification of areas of waste and inefficiency
3. Benchmarking against best practice
4. Development of care group scorecards
Management of the Finance Team
The Care Group Accountant will supervise, manage, and motivate the financial management team to ensure delivery of high-quality and timely financial advice & information. More specifically, this will include:
1. Leading on staff appointment, development, training, and education including annual appraisals, giving advice and guidance on career development, and contributing to the professional training of team members via the Financial Management Training Scheme
2. Leading, alongside the other Care Group & Corporate Accountants, a process of continuous improvement at all levels in the department, which will contribute to increased productivity within the team, and to improving the quality and usefulness of financial and business advice and information provided to the Clinical Care Groups and Corporate Divisional teams
Other Corporate Finance Responsibilities
To lead the annual budget-setting process for their areas of responsibility, ensuring that budgets reflect service requirements whilst at the same time staying within the Trust's projected resources.
To ensure compliance with the requirements and deadlines for key financial returns such as Annual Accounts, Monitor plans and returns, Reference Costs, Tariff Road Testing, freedom of information requests, liaison with internal/external audit, etc.
To contribute to the development of Service Line Management, through Service Line Reporting, care group and departmental P&Ls, and patient-level costing.
To contribute to the development of the financial skills and business awareness of clinical staff in order to maximize the potential for improvement in clinical quality, operational efficiency & financial performance resulting from decisions made at care group level.
To perform any other duties as may be delegated from time to time.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
* Minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience at middle management level
* In-depth knowledge of the NHS financial regime, including capital accounting, the Payment by Results process, costing & information processes within the NHS
* Able to advise finance and non-finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance
* Knowledge, experience, and expertise in finance management and staff management
* Good understanding of the performance management and financial framework within the NHS
Desirable
* Exposure to working at senior management level
Special Requirements
Essential
* A commitment to the continuous development of the finance department to be innovative and to constantly seek new ways of working/improving performance
* Ability to meet the travel requirements of this post
Qualifications
Essential
* CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience
* Evidence of continuing personal and professional development
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