The post holder is a key member of the team whose overarching goal is to enable, promote and support the effective use of financial data, information, knowledge and technology to improve, inform and support a portfolio of projects, services, and initiatives. They will be a creative and innovative individual who will provide specialist knowledge and have the ability to work autonomously within clearly defined professional policies. The post holder is required to undertake complex financial reporting: amending budgets, calculating income and expenditure accruals and maintaining the integrity of the financial ledger. The post holder will be required to investigate specialist complex financial enquiries, providing assistance and advice as required with internal and external service users and providers. They will also be required to lead on the provision of specialist financial advice and support for relevant area under matrix working arrangements. The post holder will also be expected to prepare and assist in the completion and production of statutory and NHS returns, such as IFR, AoB exercises, and benchmarking as part of the monthly. Quarterly and annual reporting cycle. Key Relationships Key relationships will be with the following teams, departments and organisations: Colleagues within Sub System, Portfolios and across the ICB Sub-contractors e.g. Commissioning Support Budget holders, Senior Leadership and other staff members and teams within the portfolio and sub-system, and other ICBs Colleagues in both NHS & Non NHS Provider organisation and other ICBs Colleagues in NHS England and NHS networks Colleagues from the Local Authority and other local stakeholders Primary Care including GPs, Primary Care Networks, GP Federations and Practices Contracting / Business Intelligence teams/leads both internal and external Specialist advisors, for example, HMRC, legal, financial, procurement Professional bodies Internal and External Auditors Core Functions In accordance with monthly timetables, the post holder will prepare accurate monthly financial reports including management accounts, year-end forecasts, variance analysis, commentary and staffing / pay reports. Prepare and post complex financial ledger entries each month, including accruals and prepayments, ensuring that these are support by comprehensive working papers. Be responsible for invoice co-ordination, coding, checking and comparing to the budget set to ensure they can be sent to relevant manager/director for authorisation. Preparation of ad hoc reports and analysis of complex financial information as required. Discuss and resolve financial queries with Senior Managers/Directors which are often complex, including reasons for variances and other sensitive issues. This may include difficult conversations related to complicated queries and may require negotiation with suppliers and providers. Analysis of data from multiple sources and provides advice on complex financial issues such as effective budget management within a forecast deficit and other areas which may be contentious. Liaise with the contracting team to ensure that accurate contract positions are included within financial reports and work with contracting to investigate variances from plan where necessary. Monitor the financial impacts of developments within the nominated programme area (including efficiency schemes), providing robust data to evidence these impacts. Continuous monitoring of financial conduct to ensure full adherence to standing orders, standing financial instructions and the required standards of probity. Work effectively with the rest of the finance team to contribute to the production of the annual accounts The post holder will be required to produce key documents and working papers for the External Auditors as well as respond to queries, throughout the accounting year and particularly at the yearend. This will require a well developed understanding of accounting standards, an ability to handle sensitive issues, negotiation and persuasion skills often where there are conflicting and complex views to gain the agreement and ensure that there are a minimal number of Audit recommendations. The post holder will deputise for their line manager, as required. This will be particularly relevant in respect of management accountants and budget review. Maintain an active role in improving and strengthening the functions and processes of the finance team, and in particular the management accounting function, in order to provide the ICB with a strong and resilient finance service. This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. It describes the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It may be subject to change in accordance with developing organisational and service needs and wherever necessary, will follow appropriate consultation with the post holder. The post holder may be directed to complete other duties according to organisational requirements. These duties will always be reasonable and commensurate with the skills of the post holder and level of the post.