Job summary
Are you someone looking to further your career in one of the UKs most respected mental health trusts?
Would you like to do a job that makes a difference every day?
Due to Team developments, two fantastic opportunities have arisen for highly motivated, enthusiastic and flexible finance professionals to work within the finance team as a Senior Management Accountants. We are looking for individuals who can make a difference and support service improvement - people with the skills to actively engage with stakeholders both internal and external.
Main duties of the job
As a key member of the Finance team, you will be responsible for working in partnership with our directorates as well as corporate Senior Managers to help them manage their financial performance by providing incisive value-adding financial support and insights.
This includes providing expert financial advice, budget management support, and playing a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of the organisations financial plan and cost improvement programmes. You will also lead on the financial appraisal of complex and high value cases and advise and implement financial strategy and policy and will also support other aspects of the wider finance agenda, as well as contributing to the development of the Finance Team.
You will build strong relationships with your stakeholders, gaining an in-depth knowledge of the drivers and challenges that they face to inform the analysis of the results. You will use your knowledge, experience and financial expertise to promote best financial practices across the organisation, enabling the Trust to forecast its financial performance accurately and then operate within its forecasts abiding with statutory requirements and deadlines.
Post-holders should have excellent analytical, technical and interpersonal skills with the ability to prioritise and manage workload within their team to meet deadlines.
Devon Partnership NHS Trust is growing as we establish ourselves us as one of the leading providers of mental health services in the country.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
Our values
We not only recruit employees based on their qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin the core values of our organisation. These values include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health & learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader Employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working directly with Senior Managers across the
Trust and externally, to support and advise on highly complex issues, and
provide strategic financial and business planning advice.
Provide the financial lead on the development of
the financial planning for area of responsibility, ensuring robust plans in place
to ensure delivery of cost improvement programmes.
Responsible for the analysis, finalisation and
presentation of the budget performance for area(s) of responsibility, ensuring Senior
Managers are aware of reasons for any variance and will be instrumental in
developing and supporting robust and timely mitigation plans to ensure
financial balance.
Ensure, as appropriate, the Trusts Statutory
Accounts and relevant returns are accurate and meet financial timescales and
legal requirements, interpreting these where necessary.
Responsible for the overall financial management
and performance of specified Directorate area(s) and corporate area(s), both of
which may change in line with business needs in the future.
Provide corporate reports and strategic and
business planning advice to the Trust.
Working directly with the Business Case / Tender Lead,
the post-holder will be a critical member of the business case / tender team
(to be determined on a case by case basis) and will lead on the financial
analysis and development of modelling and analysis of volumes, costs and
benefits, including scenarios to create economic and financial evaluation of
options to support the business case or tender at each stage.
To meet regularly with any designated Management
Accountant support to ensure financial information is of a satisfactory
standard and discuss improvements.
Lead on the final analysis and agreement of the
monthly management accounts information, budget setting and year end accounts
for the agreed area of responsibility that is reported to the Trust Board. This will include ensuring all relevant
business investments, cost improvement plans and all other financial
information have been incorporated within the budget position and a full review
has been undertaken, agreeing necessary adjustments as required, before final
presentation.
To support the Head of Management Accounts, Assistant
Director of Finance, the Director of Operational Finance and Executive Director
of Finance as required.
Communication & Relationship Skills
- The post-holder will be required to provide and receive highly complex,
sensitive and contentious information relevant to financial matters.
- The post-holder will be required to advise the Head of Management
Accounts/Assistant Director of Finance/Director of Operational Finance, Trust
Directors and Senior Managers on financial issues and as necessary pointing them
to a course of action.
- Where appropriate the post-holder will deputise for the Head of
Management Accounts over the prescribed range of these duties.
- Where necessary, the post-holder will negotiate on behalf of the Trust
with NHS and any other external organisations over significant cost areas.
- As appropriate, the post-holder will be required to deliver
presentations and interpret complex financial matters to non-finance managers
conveying financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
- The post-holder will be required to advise Trust Directors and Senior Managers
on cost improvements or investment opportunities which may be sensitive and
contentious in nature and where required, contribute to developing the
Trusts investment and efficiencies programmes.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
- The post-holder will be required to analyse highly complex problems
relating to financial management and business case production requiring
analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
- The post-holder will have multiplicity of targets/objectives and will
be required to make judgements regarding allocation of finances, analyses
highly complex budgets and data sets and interpret financial accounts, make
judgements of financial decisions and financial risk where there is no
precedent and where opinions may conflict
Planning & Organisation
- The
post-holder will provide comprehensive and high level senior finance support
and advice to Senior Managers, Directors, Clinical Directors, Directorate
Managers, Senior Budget Holders, working with the Management Accountants to
ensure consistent and quality advice is given. The role will involve making
judgements on financial issues, often where an element of risk exists and
there are a number of options, sometimes conflicting.
- The post-holder will be required to contribute to the Trusts financial
strategy, in particular advising on service level plans to meet the overall
service objective of the organisation.
As appropriate attend corporate and service level performance meetings
as a representative of the finance function.
- The
post-holder will play a key role in linking the Commissioning function of the
Trust to the overall financial position and will support and advice on highly
complex issues linked to Local and National policy initiatives. Communication of these issues may involve
making formal presentations to senior managers and clinicians.
- The
post-holder will be required to play a lead role in overseeing the collation
and finalisation of the information for the financial position for the Trust
for Board sign off each month.
- The
post-holder will be required to liaise with Senior Managers on a routine
basis to identify possible corrective action on budgets in deficit, and will
work with Senior Managers to examine methods of maintaining a balanced
financial position.
Responsibility for
Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy
- The post-holder may occasionally be required to answer queries from
patients/carers on general financial issues and may have incidental contact
with patients/clients.
Responsibility for Policy/Service Development
- The post-holder will be responsible for developing policy and
procedures in a particular area financial services, which will impact across
the Trust.
- The post-holder is required, at times, to carry out surveys and audits
designed to improve the Trusts management accounting services.
- The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring that the Trust is made
aware of any changes to reporting requirements and advising the Trust on the
appropriate course of action.
Responsibility for Financial and Physical
Resources
- The post-holder is responsible for ensuring the correct reporting and budget
setting of its network or service budgets, providing financial advice to them
as required.
Responsibility for Human
Resources
- If applicable, the post-holder would be responsible for the direct line
management of a management accountant support post, including assisting with
recruitment, appraisal, discipline training and delegation arrangements.
- The post-holder will be required to contribute as part of the senior
finance team, to raising the general level of performance of the finance
function.
Responsibility for Information Resources
- On a continuous basis the post-holder is required to review, adapt and
design financial systems to enhance the performance of the team and the
Trust.
Responsibility for Research and Development
- The post-holder will to undertake complex surveys/audits of work to
improve financial and accounting services as required.
Freedom To Act
- The post-holder is required to work autonomously and interpret standards
e.g. NHS policy, Trust policy, accounting standards etc.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working directly with Senior Managers across the
Trust and externally, to support and advise on highly complex issues, and
provide strategic financial and business planning advice.
Provide the financial lead on the development of
the financial planning for area of responsibility, ensuring robust plans in place
to ensure delivery of cost improvement programmes.
Responsible for the analysis, finalisation and
presentation of the budget performance for area(s) of responsibility, ensuring Senior
Managers are aware of reasons for any variance and will be instrumental in
developing and supporting robust and timely mitigation plans to ensure
financial balance.
Ensure, as appropriate, the Trusts Statutory
Accounts and relevant returns are accurate and meet financial timescales and
legal requirements, interpreting these where necessary.
Responsible for the overall financial management
and performance of specified Directorate area(s) and corporate area(s), both of
which may change in line with business needs in the future.
Provide corporate reports and strategic and
business planning advice to the Trust.
Working directly with the Business Case / Tender Lead,
the post-holder will be a critical member of the business case / tender team
(to be determined on a case by case basis) and will lead on the financial
analysis and development of modelling and analysis of volumes, costs and
benefits, including scenarios to create economic and financial evaluation of
options to support the business case or tender at each stage.
To meet regularly with any designated Management
Accountant support to ensure financial information is of a satisfactory
standard and discuss improvements.
Lead on the final analysis and agreement of the
monthly management accounts information, budget setting and year end accounts
for the agreed area of responsibility that is reported to the Trust Board. This will include ensuring all relevant
business investments, cost improvement plans and all other financial
information have been incorporated within the budget position and a full review
has been undertaken, agreeing necessary adjustments as required, before final
presentation.
To support the Head of Management Accounts, Assistant
Director of Finance, the Director of Operational Finance and Executive Director
of Finance as required.
Communication & Relationship Skills
- The post-holder will be required to provide and receive highly complex,
sensitive and contentious information relevant to financial matters.
- The post-holder will be required to advise the Head of Management
Accounts/Assistant Director of Finance/Director of Operational Finance, Trust
Directors and Senior Managers on financial issues and as necessary pointing them
to a course of action.
- Where appropriate the post-holder will deputise for the Head of
Management Accounts over the prescribed range of these duties.
- Where necessary, the post-holder will negotiate on behalf of the Trust
with NHS and any other external organisations over significant cost areas.
- As appropriate, the post-holder will be required to deliver
presentations and interpret complex financial matters to non-finance managers
conveying financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
- The post-holder will be required to advise Trust Directors and Senior Managers
on cost improvements or investment opportunities which may be sensitive and
contentious in nature and where required, contribute to developing the
Trusts investment and efficiencies programmes.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
- The post-holder will be required to analyse highly complex problems
relating to financial management and business case production requiring
analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
- The post-holder will have multiplicity of targets/objectives and will
be required to make judgements regarding allocation of finances, analyses
highly complex budgets and data sets and interpret financial accounts, make
judgements of financial decisions and financial risk where there is no
precedent and where opinions may conflict
Planning & Organisation
- The
post-holder will provide comprehensive and high level senior finance support
and advice to Senior Managers, Directors, Clinical Directors, Directorate
Managers, Senior Budget Holders, working with the Management Accountants to
ensure consistent and quality advice is given. The role will involve making
judgements on financial issues, often where an element of risk exists and
there are a number of options, sometimes conflicting.
- The post-holder will be required to contribute to the Trusts financial
strategy, in particular advising on service level plans to meet the overall
service objective of the organisation.
As appropriate attend corporate and service level performance meetings
as a representative of the finance function.
- The
post-holder will play a key role in linking the Commissioning function of the
Trust to the overall financial position and will support and advice on highly
complex issues linked to Local and National policy initiatives. Communication of these issues may involve
making formal presentations to senior managers and clinicians.
- The
post-holder will be required to play a lead role in overseeing the collation
and finalisation of the information for the financial position for the Trust
for Board sign off each month.
- The
post-holder will be required to liaise with Senior Managers on a routine
basis to identify possible corrective action on budgets in deficit, and will
work with Senior Managers to examine methods of maintaining a balanced
financial position.
Responsibility for
Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy
- The post-holder may occasionally be required to answer queries from
patients/carers on general financial issues and may have incidental contact
with patients/clients.
Responsibility for Policy/Service Development
- The post-holder will be responsible for developing policy and
procedures in a particular area financial services, which will impact across
the Trust.
- The post-holder is required, at times, to carry out surveys and audits
designed to improve the Trusts management accounting services.
- The post-holder will be responsible for ensuring that the Trust is made
aware of any changes to reporting requirements and advising the Trust on the
appropriate course of action.
Responsibility for Financial and Physical
Resources
- The post-holder is responsible for ensuring the correct reporting and budget
setting of its network or service budgets, providing financial advice to them
as required.
Responsibility for Human
Resources
- If applicable, the post-holder would be responsible for the direct line
management of a management accountant support post, including assisting with
recruitment, appraisal, discipline training and delegation arrangements.
- The post-holder will be required to contribute as part of the senior
finance team, to raising the general level of performance of the finance
function.
Responsibility for Information Resources
- On a continuous basis the post-holder is required to review, adapt and
design financial systems to enhance the performance of the team and the
Trust.
Responsibility for Research and Development
- The post-holder will to undertake complex surveys/audits of work to
improve financial and accounting services as required.
Freedom To Act
- The post-holder is required to work autonomously and interpret standards
e.g. NHS policy, Trust policy, accounting standards etc.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- CCAB/CIMA Qualified (or equivalent) / post graduate diploma / masters.
Desirable
- Significant experience as an NHS Accountant
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisation skills and a logical approach to problem solving
- Good analytical and decision making skills
Communication Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to transfer knowledge to non-financial managers
- Skills in partnership working across organisations
Planning & Organising Skills
Essential
- Strong management and leadership skills
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Able to plan and organise other workloads
Other
Desirable
- Regular and reliable method of transport and mobility throughout the area
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working at a senior level within a large organisation.
- Knowledge and ability to apply and advise on financial regulations and procedures particularly relating to NHS Trusts.
- Full understanding of the principles of accounting.
- Specialist knowledge of, and ability to apply and advise others of professional accounting standards.
- Detailed knowledge of computerised accounting systems and spreadsheet packages.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- CCAB/CIMA Qualified (or equivalent) / post graduate diploma / masters.
Desirable
- Significant experience as an NHS Accountant
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisation skills and a logical approach to problem solving
- Good analytical and decision making skills
Communication Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to transfer knowledge to non-financial managers
- Skills in partnership working across organisations
Planning & Organising Skills
Essential
- Strong management and leadership skills
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Able to plan and organise other workloads
Other
Desirable
- Regular and reliable method of transport and mobility throughout the area
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working at a senior level within a large organisation.
- Knowledge and ability to apply and advise on financial regulations and procedures particularly relating to NHS Trusts.
- Full understanding of the principles of accounting.
- Specialist knowledge of, and ability to apply and advise others of professional accounting standards.
- Detailed knowledge of computerised accounting systems and spreadsheet packages.
Additional information
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).
