An exciting, senior level opportunity has arisen for a candidate with real NHS finance expertise to support the transformative development of this unique organisation.
Its purpose is to deliver benefits over and above what could be achieved as individual organisations. Furthermore, working in conjunction with both the University of Leicester and the University of Northampton brings additional advantages through cutting edge research and treatments.
The Deputy Head of Group Financial Services is a member of the Finance and Procurement leadership team and will support the overall management, performance and development of Financial Services, including leadership across financial control systems, processes and policies, across the Group.
Main areas of portfolio include day-to-day leadership across financial governance, technical and transactional finance, financial governance, financial system and process compliance across the Group.
Working autonomously, and reporting to the Head of Group Financial Services, the post will operate across both Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
The role will manage all areas of transactional finance, namely Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Financial Systems, as well as be the day-to-day contact and lead for delivery across Internal Audit and Anti-Crime. It will also support the Head of Group Financial Services.
Main duties of the job
The role is to identify and implement decisions to increase collaboration, and where appropriate integration, of teams across the Group to ensure resilience, consistency, and value.
The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with significant post qualification experience, operating at a corporate level in a complex organisational environment, preferably an NHS provider, or close equivalent. In addition to substantial professional finance experience, an expert knowledge of NHS financial governance arrangements, transactional finance and systems, as well as the delivery of audit recommendations and year end accounts, within a healthcare environment will be important.
You will possess strong technical, influencing and communication skills in addition to accomplished people management skills.
For the right candidate this role offers an excellent chance to step into a group position and help the organisation develop consistency, closer working and systems that support their collaboration. This, in turn, will lay the key foundations for the organisational resilience that will ultimately benefit the community across Northamptonshire.
Job responsibilities
Corporate Responsibilities
* Provide technical and systems operational leadership for finance across the Group and help strengthen its contribution to each Trust's activities.
* Manage technical and transactional finance, financial governance, system and process compliance across the Group.
* Support the development of options and implement the further collaboration and integration of Financial Services across the Group.
* Support the technical implementation of financial controls and processes, overseeing delivery of the accurate production of statutory financial reporting in line with best practice requirements.
* Support the Head of Group Financial Services in their role supporting relevant Board Committees (in particular Audit Committee), internal and external meetings, preparing papers and actioning relevant recommendations as delegated.
* Provide day-to-day oversight, ensuring that financial policies, processes and systems are maintained and developed, so as to be fit for purpose and deliver high levels of assurance of financial stewardship and robust internal control.
* Maximise the efficiency and timeliness of processing transactions within Financial Accounting, Accounts Receivable, Treasury Management and Cashiers, across the Group.
* Manage the reporting of the Group/Trusts financial position to Board, external stakeholders and regulators, and internal stakeholders as required for scope of portfolio.
Operational Finance
* Supporting the Group-wide coordination, management and reporting of treasury management, financial services, preparation, delivery of annual audited accounts.
* Manage any relevant technical accounting matters, on behalf of the Head of Group Financial Services, including advising on options, risks and making recommendations for action as directed.
* Manage the process for the delivery of the annual accounts across the Group, meeting all guidance and audit requirements in line with national timescales for delivery.
* Support contribution to the development and maintenance of the Group/Trusts/Systems Long Term Financial Model (LTFM) and financial plans, providing insights and analyses linked to areas of expertise.
* Be a day-to-day contact for internal and external audit teams, regulators and inspectors on all matters within scope and responsibility.
* Lead and provide a point of escalation for debtors where cash collection is an issue including the management of debt collection agency contracts.
* Support the development and management of efficient and effective financial services across the Group, ensuring effective supply chain accounting, timely invoice payment and collection of income and proactive debt management processes.
Person Specification
Education
* Educated to Masters level education or equivalent level or equivalent experience working at a senior level in a complex organisation in a healthcare setting (e.g. NHS Trust, NHS Commissioning, NHS England and Improvement)
* Professionally qualified accountant (e.g. CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA, ACA)
* Evidence of continuing professional development
Knowledge & Experience
* Significant post qualification experience at a senior level in a complex organisation in a healthcare setting (e.g. NHS Trust, NHS Commissioner, NHS England and Improvement)
* Expert relevant experience in financial accountancy including management of financial services, treasury management and capital
* Ability to implement policy relating to finance which impacts on the whole organisation
* Ability to interpret health service policy on finance and apply to the development and change management of services in the Trust
* A record of achievement in managing and improving NHS financial services departments
* Ability to apply judgement to develop solutions to complex problems where there are conflicting priorities and there is no precedent
* Specialist knowledge of NHS technical finance and attendance at structured training events, covering the preparation of accounts, financial plans and the preparation of business cases in particular relating to capital investment
* A proven track record of strong leadership of financial services across an organisation
* Specialist knowledge of financial and accounting procedures including current legislation and NHS accounting policies
* Working across organisational boundaries in pursuit of shared objectives
Skills
* Highly developed verbal and written communication skills
* Ability to present information clearly to a range of audiences including the public
* Able to influence and persuade others and inspire and motivate staff
* Diplomacy, assertiveness and tact in presenting complex, sensitive or contentious information
* Ability to adopt an adaptive leadership style in a politically sensitive and complex environment.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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