Job summary
Are you looking for a role in NHS Finance, working as part of a fast paced, compassionate, and innovative team? An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Divisional Accountant within our Trust. We are looking for dedicated and highly motivated individual to join our finance team in providing a comprehensive Financial Management service to Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.
This role is part of a wider Financial Management team that provides advice and support to the Business Units within the Trust. Working closely with the wider team, this role will provide you with an opportunity to support a Business Unit which has a wide variety of interesting specialties.
The post holder will manage a section of the management accounts team and work as part of a wider, dynamic team in delivering an effective service supporting operational managers and staff across the business units to understand, plan and manage their financial position. This will include the production of monthly reports, forecasting, creation of annual budgets and liaising with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that risks and issues affecting financial performance are communicated clearly.
Candidates should therefore be confident in liaising with budget managers, have excellent communication skills and be able to use their initiative to solve problems and work as a supportive and efficient team member, with a good attention to detail.
Proposed interview date is 13th December 2024
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the Divisional Accountant include, but are not limited to:
1. Providing a high-quality financial management service and deputising when necessary for the Head of Financial Management.
2. Working closely with the Divisional Operational Management Team, providing timely and accurate financial and supporting information and advice to facilitate the effective monitoring of Divisional and Departmental financial
3. Working with the Senior Finance Team to ensure that annual I&E budgets are prepared in a timely manner ensuring that they meet the Trust's financial and clinical objectives.
4. Preparation of the monthly financial position, including budget monitoring, forecasting and variance analysis.
5. Representing the Finance department at key meetings and deputise as and when required.
6. Line management of the Deputy Divisional Accountant, Management Accountant and Assistant Accountant.
7. Responsibility for the investigation of, and response to, complex financial enquiries from both internal and external stakeholders.
8. Ensuring that financial controls are maintained within SFI's and governance
9. Assistance in the production of Budget Management Training and the delivering of training to budget holders.
10. Contribution to the general development of the Management Accounting and Finance function.
About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Agile Working:
All our staff have a work base. However, the Trust operates a flexible agile working policy and therefore the finance team will be based on site for a proportion of the week and have the ability to work from home, if preferred, for the rest of the week on a rota basis.
The Financial Management team work to a flexible working policy meaning flexible start and finish times and the ability to take back time owed.
For more information please see the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
11. A good level of education in a numerate subject.
12. Professional accountancy (CCAB) qualification (or equivalent experience).
13. A detailed understanding of accounting procedures.
14. Substantial experience in the Finance department of a complex organisation, including staff management / supervisory responsibilities.
15. Demonstratable experience in management accounting is essential, including the ability to provide detailed guidance and advice to finance and non-finance managers.
16. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Qualifications
Essential
17. NVQ level 5 or Association of Accounting Technician membership or foundation level of a professional accountancy (CCAB) qualification or equivalent experience
18. Good level of education in a numerate subject
19. Experience of managing staff
20. Evidence of continued professional development
21. Experience in the use of computerised general ledger
22. Excellent IT Skills with extensive experience in the use of spreadsheets and databases
Desirable
23. NHS finance experience
24. Specialist knowledge of NHS Foundation Trust financial regime
25. Use of Oracle
26. Knowledge of other finance systems for example, payroll, debtors and supplies