Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the new Financial Accounts team at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust as Senior Financial Accountant.
The post holder is responsible providing financial advice and support to Trust managers and staff on balance sheet financial control and reporting, and maintaining monthly balance sheet control reconciliations.
Produce accurate and effective financial reports in accordance with agreed reporting cycles and in response to ad-hoc requests. Have oversight of the salary sacrifice schemes which need to be checked before being approved.
Aid in the preparation of year end audit working papers and audit queries for the Trust.
We offer the opportunity for a hybrid work pattern based on 3 days office based (at our Chichester or Brighton site) and 2 days working from home.
Main duties of the job
This post will:
- Promote an environment of strong financial control within the Trust and challenge non-compliance and/or behaviour that disregards the Trust's financial principles, procedures and policies
- Support the creation of a culture of performance management within the Finance Division that seeks and finds solutions to financial problems and maximises financial opportunities.
- Ensure that appropriate financial systems and controls are in place to support the accurate reporting of the Trust's financial position.
- Support the development of financial reporting to ensure that this provides accurate, timely and easily understandable information to stakeholders and supports the overall Trust Financial Strategy.
- Support the Trust by building positive relationships with stakeholders, providing accurate and timely financial information, guidance, support and challenge as and when necessary.
- Support the preparation of the annual statutory accounts, and any relevant notes ensuring relevant working papers are in place to ensure audit compliance and assist with the provision and explanation of accounting information to internal and external audit as required.
- Support the provision of appropriate financial information which is prepared for the submission of regulatory returns as required. This will include but not be limited to the monthly NHSE/I and ICS monitoring returns and any other returns that are required to be submitted to NHSE/I or DHSC.
About us
Join us atUHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better neverstops
AtUHSussexwe're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of theUK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Improving lives:We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put ourPatient First.Our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and no matter the role atUHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourwellbeing programmefor staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need itbecausewe know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
Build a career with us: As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide advice to non-finance staff on technical financial issues including. budgeting, financial reporting and accounting policies
- Liaise with staff, managers and representatives of external organisations, including auditors, to respond to queries and present information supporting the position in respect of specific financial issues, some may be of a complex nature.
- Negotiate with and influence managers to ensure business decisions are value for money and commercially sustainable
- Explain and present financial results to senior staff and non-finance manager
- Communicate Trust policy and/or HMRC litigation, to stakeholders for salary sacrifices
- Develop standard and ad-hoc financial reports using spreadsheet, database and bespoke reporting tools
- Analyse and explain financial data, financial reports and financial forecasts to identify trends and/or anomalies in the data
- Investigate and resolve queries in relation to financial data, some of these may be of a complex nature.
- Assist the Year End audit by answering any queries directed to you by the external audit
- Understand and report on the movements on the Trust Balance Sheet
- Liaise with other departments to ensure the Trusts financial controls are maintained and reviewed regularly
- Produce accurate and effective financial reports in accordance with monthly and annual reporting cycles
- Contribute to financial planning and budget setting through the development of financial forecasts, which can sometimes be complex.
- Prepare, and reconcile, the control accounts for the Trust on a monthly basis. Ensuring the health of the Balance Sheet by clearing away transactions which should not be there.
- Plan and manage specific financial projects e.g. service tenders, audit reviews etc that involve input from other departments, adjusting these plans as necessary.
- Ensure that financial processes and financial reports reflect changes in financial policy, accounting policies and statutory legislation
- Contribute to the review, development and implementation of financial policies and procedures for the whole Trust
- Provide financial advice and support to Trust managers and staff on financial control and reporting
- Regularly review financial information/accounts to ensure that they are consistent with guidelines and predetermined budgetary limits
- Provide cover for other members of the Finance Directorate, at a level commensurate with your grade, as directed by your line manager or supervisor, including deputising for the Senior Finance Manager as required
- Oversight of the salary sacrifice schemes which need to be checked before being approved.
- Ensure that accurate data is entered into all data collection systems, manual or electronic.
- Download large amounts of data and then transfer this to different systems to allow the monthly reporting to be completed.
- Report non-compliance with the Data Quality Policy, erroneous production of data and any factors affecting the production of valid data to the Data Quality Manager.
- Propose innovations to procedures by making suggestions for changes and adapting processes in your own work area.
- Conduct audits and surveys.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide advice to non-finance staff on technical financial issues including. budgeting, financial reporting and accounting policies
- Liaise with staff, managers and representatives of external organisations, including auditors, to respond to queries and present information supporting the position in respect of specific financial issues, some may be of a complex nature.
- Negotiate with and influence managers to ensure business decisions are value for money and commercially sustainable
- Explain and present financial results to senior staff and non-finance manager
- Communicate Trust policy and/or HMRC litigation, to stakeholders for salary sacrifices
- Develop standard and ad-hoc financial reports using spreadsheet, database and bespoke reporting tools
- Analyse and explain financial data, financial reports and financial forecasts to identify trends and/or anomalies in the data
- Investigate and resolve queries in relation to financial data, some of these may be of a complex nature.
- Assist the Year End audit by answering any queries directed to you by the external audit
- Understand and report on the movements on the Trust Balance Sheet
- Liaise with other departments to ensure the Trusts financial controls are maintained and reviewed regularly
- Produce accurate and effective financial reports in accordance with monthly and annual reporting cycles
- Contribute to financial planning and budget setting through the development of financial forecasts, which can sometimes be complex.
- Prepare, and reconcile, the control accounts for the Trust on a monthly basis. Ensuring the health of the Balance Sheet by clearing away transactions which should not be there.
- Plan and manage specific financial projects e.g. service tenders, audit reviews etc that involve input from other departments, adjusting these plans as necessary.
- Ensure that financial processes and financial reports reflect changes in financial policy, accounting policies and statutory legislation
- Contribute to the review, development and implementation of financial policies and procedures for the whole Trust
- Provide financial advice and support to Trust managers and staff on financial control and reporting
- Regularly review financial information/accounts to ensure that they are consistent with guidelines and predetermined budgetary limits
- Provide cover for other members of the Finance Directorate, at a level commensurate with your grade, as directed by your line manager or supervisor, including deputising for the Senior Finance Manager as required
- Oversight of the salary sacrifice schemes which need to be checked before being approved.
- Ensure that accurate data is entered into all data collection systems, manual or electronic.
- Download large amounts of data and then transfer this to different systems to allow the monthly reporting to be completed.
- Report non-compliance with the Data Quality Policy, erroneous production of data and any factors affecting the production of valid data to the Data Quality Manager.
- Propose innovations to procedures by making suggestions for changes and adapting processes in your own work area.
- Conduct audits and surveys.
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Personal presentation must be of a professional standard and to ensure that junior members of the team are also. Physically fit to undertake the duties of the role. Able to travel between sites.
Freedom to Act
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously, liaise and coordinate the Team on a day to day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary. Identify and adhere to best practice. Responsible for own professional actions and have sufficient autonomy for the delivery of the role. Broad occupational policies Works to achieve agreed objectives and is given freedom to do this in own way, working within broad professional policies; acts without reference to manager; acts as lead specialist in a particular financial area.
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential
- Intermediary level professional accountancy qualification (As per study policy) Commitment to Continuing Professional Development to the level required of a Professional Accountancy Body Educated to at least degree level or experience equivalent to an honours degree or NVQ Level 5.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Thorough understanding of accounting principles o Accruals and provisions o Costing o Variance Analysis and forecasting o Budgeting and financial planning Understand the relationship between the Balance Sheet, I&E and Cashflow. The principles of Standing Financial Instructions Specialist knowledge across work procedures underpinned by theory
Communication and Interpersonal
Essential
- Experience effectively communicating complex financial information to non-finance managers Confidence presenting financial information to a senior audience Ability to coach budget holders Professional telephone manner
Analytical and Judgemental
Essential
- Analyses financial data. Analyses, investigates and resolves financial queries and discrepancies/ complex financial queries and discrepancies Complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of a range of options
Planning and Organisational
Essential
- Discuss financial queries with staff, suppliers, customers, which are often complex, including reasons for delays in payment and other sensitive issues; discusses financial issues with customers, which may be contentious; provides advice on complex financial and corporate issues to non- financial managers; negotiates with NHS, external organisations over cost, service issues
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Personal presentation must be of a professional standard and to ensure that junior members of the team are also. Physically fit to undertake the duties of the role. Able to travel between sites.
Freedom to Act
Essential
- Ability to work autonomously, liaise and coordinate the Team on a day to day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary. Identify and adhere to best practice. Responsible for own professional actions and have sufficient autonomy for the delivery of the role. Broad occupational policies Works to achieve agreed objectives and is given freedom to do this in own way, working within broad professional policies; acts without reference to manager; acts as lead specialist in a particular financial area.
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential
- Intermediary level professional accountancy qualification (As per study policy) Commitment to Continuing Professional Development to the level required of a Professional Accountancy Body Educated to at least degree level or experience equivalent to an honours degree or NVQ Level 5.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Thorough understanding of accounting principles o Accruals and provisions o Costing o Variance Analysis and forecasting o Budgeting and financial planning Understand the relationship between the Balance Sheet, I&E and Cashflow. The principles of Standing Financial Instructions Specialist knowledge across work procedures underpinned by theory
Communication and Interpersonal
Essential
- Experience effectively communicating complex financial information to non-finance managers Confidence presenting financial information to a senior audience Ability to coach budget holders Professional telephone manner
Analytical and Judgemental
Essential
- Analyses financial data. Analyses, investigates and resolves financial queries and discrepancies/ complex financial queries and discrepancies Complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of a range of options
Planning and Organisational
Essential
- Discuss financial queries with staff, suppliers, customers, which are often complex, including reasons for delays in payment and other sensitive issues; discusses financial issues with customers, which may be contentious; provides advice on complex financial and corporate issues to non- financial managers; negotiates with NHS, external organisations over cost, service issues
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Address
St Richards Hospital, Worthing Hospital or Royal Sussex County Hospital
Chichester, Worthing or Brighton
PO19 6SE
Employer's website
https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
