Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Finance Assistant - Planned Care

The closing date is 02 February 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Finance Assistant to join the Finance Team supporting Planned Care services at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.

The role is ideal for someone with strong numerical skills, attention to detail and an interest in developing an career in NHS Finance. You will place a key role in supporting the production of management accounts, monthly reporting and budgetary control, working with both clinical and operational teams, to help the Trust deliver high quality patient care.

Main duties of the job

Please refer to full Job Description but in summary:

Support the preparation of monthly management accounts

Assist with budget monitoring, forecasting and variance analysis

Work closely with budget holders to provide accurate and timely financial information

Assist with adhoc costings, income analysis and reporting

Support annual processes including budgeting and year end closedown, along with some audit requirements

Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Finance Directorate and Planned Care Teams

About us

Diversity makes us interesting... Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Date posted

27 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-7749434COR

Job locations

Royal Berkshire Hospital

Care Group Offices - Level 3, Craven Road

Reading

RG1 5AN

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for supporting the Care Group Finance Team in the provision of professional analysis of financial and business information to contribute to operational management and decision making within designated areas of the Trust.

To assist in the provision of financial support and advice to Directorates

To be responsible for a specified workload, with the support of the Finance Manager, in the production of monthly management accounts and performance information

Helping to maintain the accuracy of Finance General ledger, including requesting invoices, monthly accruals & prepayments, plus any changes required to budgets

Provide support to the Finance Manager in responding to enquiries from budget holders and managers and assisting them on all operation finance and performance issues

Support the Finance Manager in the training of new budget holders

Meet budget holders unaccompanied where appropriate

Assist in the formulation of annual budgets and periodic forecasts, using appropriate spreadsheets and software packages to calculate pay and non-pay expenditure projections and correctly input into the financial system

Produce ad hoc reports, including spreadsheets and graphs, as required

Be responsible for requisitions and invoicing queries related to centrally managed services within the Care Group

Manage own workload

Responsible for reconciliation of ESR to the budgeted establishment and processing changes to the both ESR and the ledger in line with the Budget Virement process

Responsible for checking payroll data and the production of code correction journals

Raise all accruals and prepayment journals as appropriate and then be responsible for the input of them onto the financial ledger

Be responsible for the raising of invoices to ensure the correct level of income is received and cash flow maintained

Ensure that all work is completed in line with Care Group and Trust deadlines

To undertake all work within Trust financial procedures, policies, guidelines and best accounting practices

Be responsible for planning own work to meet monthly and periodic Care Group and Trust timetable deadlines

Investigate and analyse monthly variances

Investigation and analysis of initial budget variances, performance management and expenditure trends, with guidance/direction from Finance Manager

Monitoring of computer generated accounting information, comparisons with budget and correction of errors

Raise and input budget variations and accrual journals as necessary

Assist in providing information for statutory and regulatory returns

Assist in providing information to support the production of annual accounts, external audit and Monitor returns, as guided by Finance Manager

Other duties and responsibilities

Support the Finance Manager as required

Cover the duties of the Finance Manager in the event of short term absence

Undertake other ad hoc duties as and when required by Finance Manager and Care Group Director of Finance

Provide support to cover other Care Group finance needs during periods of absence

Professional/Technical

Become an expert user on Excel/Jedox, and a user of Oracle and any other internal financial systems

Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist in the provision of financial support and advice to Directorates

To be responsible for a specified workload, with the support of the Finance Manager, in the production of monthly management accounts and performance information

Helping to maintain the accuracy of Finance General ledger, including requesting invoices, monthly accruals & prepayments, plus any changes required to budgets

Provide support to the Finance Manager in responding to enquiries from budget holders and managers and assisting them on all operation finance and performance issues

Support the Finance Manager in the training of new budget holders

Meet budget holders unaccompanied where appropriate

Produce ad hoc reports, including spreadsheets and graphs, as required

Be responsible for requisitions and invoicing queries related to centrally managed services within the Care Group

Manage own workload

Responsible for reconciliation of ESR to the budgeted establishment and processing changes to the both ESR and the ledger in line with the Budget Virement process

Responsible for checking payroll data and the production of code correction journals

Raise all accruals and prepayment journals as appropriate and then be responsible for the input of them onto the financial ledger

Be responsible for the raising of invoices to ensure the correct level of income is received and cash flow maintained

Ensure that all work is completed in line with Care Group and Trust deadlines

To undertake all work within Trust financial procedures, policies, guidelines and best accounting practices

Be responsible for planning own work to meet monthly and periodic Care Group and Trust timetable deadlines

Investigate and analyse monthly variances

Investigation and analysis of initial budget variances, performance management and expenditure trends, with guidance/direction from Finance Manager

Monitoring of computer generated accounting information, comparisons with budget and correction of errors

Raise and input budget variations and accrual journals as necessary

Assist in providing information for statutory and regulatory returns

Assist in providing information to support the production of annual accounts, external audit and Monitor returns, as guided by Finance Manager

Other duties and responsibilities

Support the Finance Manager as required

Cover the duties of the Finance Manager in the event of short term absence

Undertake other ad hoc duties as and when required by Finance Manager and Care Group Director of Finance

Provide support to cover other Care Group finance needs during periods of absence

Professional/Technical

Become an expert user on Excel/Jedox, and a user of Oracle and any other internal financial systems

Person Specification

Education and Experience

Essential

Experience of using accounting ledger systems
AAT Intermediate level or equivalent experience

Desirable

Management accounts experience
Actively Studying for a full professional qualification

Skills, Knowledge & Attributes

Essential

IT literacy: proficient in use of MS Office systems including Excel & Word
Pro-active and good inter-personal skills.
Has a results orientated perspective and problem solving approach

Desirable

Experience of working with a range of finance and non financial colleagues

Skills, Knowledge & Attributes

Essential

Assertive, self-confident and self-motivated
Accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work on own initiative.

Person Specification

Education and Experience

Essential

Experience of using accounting ledger systems
AAT Intermediate level or equivalent experience

Desirable

Management accounts experience
Actively Studying for a full professional qualification

Skills, Knowledge & Attributes

Essential

IT literacy: proficient in use of MS Office systems including Excel & Word
Pro-active and good inter-personal skills.
Has a results orientated perspective and problem solving approach

Desirable

Experience of working with a range of finance and non financial colleagues

Skills, Knowledge & Attributes

Essential

Assertive, self-confident and self-motivated
Accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work on own initiative.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire Hospital

Care Group Offices - Level 3, Craven Road

Reading

RG1 5AN

Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire Hospital

Care Group Offices - Level 3, Craven Road

Reading

RG1 5AN

Employer's website

https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)