Assistant CSU Accountant (XN05)

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake the role of Assistant CSU Accountant the post holder will need to complete tasks directly and also supervise and coordinate the delivery of tasks which will need input from a range of colleagues, ensuring that they are completed to the required quality standards in line with set policies and procedures and within set timescales.

The post holder will be expected to perform duties and responsibilities covering the following areas, which are described in greater detail within the job description.

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The purpose of the role is to support the team in the delivery of a financial management service as directed by the Assistant Director of Finance or the Finance Business Partner by:

Supporting the Senior CSU Accountant and/or the Finance Business Partner in providing financial support and advice to managers and clinicians in a number of business units.

Participating in the induction and ongoing training and development of finance officers, playing a key role in ensuring core standards are met.

Leading process improvement projects and developing procedures to ensure that work across the team is completed in a consistent way and to an agreed standard, there after providing assurance of compliance.

Coordinating of specific ad hoc and regular cross team tasks

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

The team is managed by an Assistant Director of Finance, supported by a Finance Business Partner, within each team there is a structure designed to best support the needs of the service and the needs of the business units it is aligned to.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

a) Clinical Service Unit (CSU) financial support

To work with the Finance Business Partner (or other nominated Senior Accountant) to help them:

Support the provision of accurate, timely and comprehensive financial reports for the CSU.

Analyse and review the monthly activity in correlation with the expenditure position highlighting any queries or anomalies.

Support the preparation of the forecasts for expenditure, income and activity based on discussion with operational and clinical managers.

Provide financial support to budget holders ensuring that their financial performance is monitored and reviewed on an on-going basis and plans are developed for any necessary remedial actions.

Provide information to assist in the identification of potential efficiencies and cost savings.

Assess the financial impact of proposals, for example review of business cases and costing

b) Governance, compliance and quality assurance:

To carry out routine general housekeeping checks across the team as directed by senior colleagues, for example around core processes pertaining to the ledger, such as accrual levels and raising areas of non-compliance.

To maintain audit trails and appropriate records.

c) Projects and cross team tasks

To lead ad hoc projects as required, with a particular focus on improving ways of working.

To contribute to and coordinate team-wide projects, for example analysis work, consolidating inputs from others, and presenting a final output.

d) Human Resources & Training

To provide advice to and to demonstrate own activities and workplace routines to new or less experienced colleagues.

To assist in the provision of induction training for support team staff, ensuring that they are trained in all routine aspects of their role and understand the procedures and policies which govern these tasks.

To provide ongoing support and development to support team staff to help maximise their effectiveness in their roles

e) Policy and service development:

To input into development work led by senior finance staff, with particular focus upon making the best use of the financial ledger and other reporting tools.

To assist senior colleagues in reviewing ways of working within the team and helping implement any changes.

f) Other tasks

To perform other tasks as required by more senior members of the finance team.

g) Health and Safety/Risk Management

All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.

h) Equality and Diversity

The jobholder must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

i) Training and Personal Development Continuous Professional Development

The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

j) Respect for Patient Confidentiality

The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the requirements of the role.

k) Infection Control

The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.

THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

Additionally, the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

The Finance Directorate exists to support the delivery of the Trusts objectives through the maintenance of an appropriate control environment and the provision of information and expert advice relating to the value for money of services funded by the taxpayer.

The Finance departments mission statement is To be the best provider of finance, procurement and planning services to support the delivery of patient care in the Leeds Way.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Expertise in accounting concepts, conventions, policies and procedures.
• Substantial experience in a support role providing management accounting information and detailed advice and guidance to both finance and non-finance managers. Give a work based example of providing information and guidance to non-finance managers in particular.
• Detailed understanding of accounting procedures including computer systems and financial ledgers, VAT, payroll procedures, coding structures, reconciling numbers and maintaining documentation
• Experience of processing and interpreting numerical information. Providing a work based example of when this experience has helped with decision making.

Desirable

• Use of Oracle Financials, ADI and Hyperion.

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Ability to work within clearly defined operating policies without direct supervision, seeking guidance from precedent, procedures and codes of conduct
• A confident, pleasant approach, willing to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues, budget holders and other managers.
• Ability to deal with complex issues with a wide range of parties including colleagues both finance and non-finance, which may be contentious using appropriate negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Ability to provide and receive information/advice some of which may be sensitive in an appropriate manner both in relation to finance and non-finance colleagues.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data such as expenditure and income transactions, producing and presenting associated information which may involve making judgements
• Ability to coordinate and manage the completion of tasks across the team and coordinate the work of others, delivering support, coaching and training. Provide an example of a team task you have coordinated.
• Good team working skills, able to carry out work with others and to provide informal training to budget holders and less experienced or new members of the team as required. Provide an example of team training you have supported and delivered.

Desirable

• Advanced excel skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• 5 GCSE/O levels or equivalent, to include Maths and English.

Desirable

• Preferably AAT qualified

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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