Job summary
The postholder will be a senior member of the Financial Accounting team, reporting to the Financial Controller.
The post holder will be responsible for the performance of the capital accounting function. They will have primary responsibility for statutory financial reporting and financial governance and control across for the function across KHFT and HRCH.
The postholder will be expected to be a technical expert in their field and have excellent communication skills to develop effective working relationships with internal and external colleagues.
As a senior member of the Financial Accounting team, they will also take a lead in the delivery of departmental objectives and will be expected to devise and implement departmental functions across the whole Trust.
The post holder will be based at Thames House in Teddington but the role offers agile working arrangements, with approximately 50% office based and 50% working from home. The role may include travel to other sites, including Kingston Hospital.
As a senior member of the finance team, the postholder is also expected to take an active role in supporting the learning and development of direct reports and the wider team following the department's objectives and utilizing resources made available through the One NHS Finance network.
Main duties of the job
- Manage the capital accounting function ensuring the provision of a comprehensive capital accounting service to senior managers within the Trust.
- Hold overall responsibility for the timely completion of all Trust capital control accounts in line with the monthly timetable and to a high standard. Ensure these are reviewed and any issues investigated in a timely manner by supporting the financial accounts and capital teams to work with colleagues within and outside of the finance department.
- Main point of contact in all matters relating to Capital.
About us
Department Philosophy
The Finance Department is professional and forward-looking. We aim to provide financial expertise as an equal partner in the management process of the Trust, which seeks to provide the best possible patient care. To achieve all financial duties and maintain good governance arrangements in order to safeguard Trust assets. To adopt best practice with Finance Staff Development so as to be the employer of first choice.
Better Together is a collaboration between Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, details of which can be found here:
Better Together (hounslowkingstonandrichmondhealthcare.com)
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/OUTCOMES:
Performance Management and Delivery
- Manage the capital accounting function ensuring the provision of a comprehensive capital accounting service to senior managers within the Trust.
- Hold responsibility for the planning and production of the Trusts annual accounts and working papers in accordance with the Department of Health finance manual and associated guidance, to ensure that the Trust meets its statutory reporting requirements in relation to Capital.
- Liaise with external audit during their interim and annual audits.
- Hold overall responsibility for the timely completion of all Trust capital control accounts in line with the monthly timetable and to a high standard. Ensure these are reviewed and any issues investigated in a timely manner by supporting the financial accounts and capital teams to work with colleagues within and outside of the finance department.
- Ensure that VAT is accounted for in accordance with HMRC rules. The post holder will maintain an up-to-date knowledge of NHS VAT issues, providing guidance to finance and non-finance colleagues for VAT queries for capital.
- Act as the Trust expert on capital, working closely with operational finance, estates and facilities, SWL colleagues and operations colleagues to produce the annual and long-term capital plans which reflect the impact of changes in Trust strategy as well as internal service developments.
- Main point of contact for SWL in all matters relating to Capital.
- Build and maintain excellent working relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. Making contentious decisions which need to be communicated to a range of stakeholders.
- Being able to influence and manage stakeholders to accept decisions based on financial metrics, rather than emotive factors i.e. to invest in cancer or ITU services as an example.
- Ensure that reporting on capital schemes and that financial information for accountable project managers is comprehensive, understandable and timely.
- Responsible for the development and maintenance of the Trusts Fixed Asset Register, including the annual revaluation and depreciation forecasts as required by the DoH, NHSE/I and SWL, ensuring its ongoing robustness in support of the Capital Plan.
- Research any changes in national accounting practice and the NHS Finance regime as required, advising the Financial Controller that current Trust practices are in line with all good financial governance arrangements.
- Continually review financial systems, including ledger development opportunities, in order to maximise services provided, identifying and recommending revisions and improvements to financial procedures and policies when appropriate.
- To assess, respond and advise the Trust on the impact of NHS policy developments, particularly in relation to Capital funding and delegated limits.
- Undertake or oversee the audit of specific functions or procedures as appropriate to the role.
- Ensure the capital programme and fixed assets are accounted for correctly in line with accounting standards and NHS Improvement policy.
- Lead the production of annual published accounts to meet statutory requirements, supported by high quality papers.
- Produce the capital sections of the Trust annual accounts to meet statutory and audit requirements, supported by high quality working papers.
- Lead in the production of monthly external returns in line with reporting timetables; this will include calculating capital charge estimates and forecasts as required by external stakeholders, such as SWL sector.
- Provide high quality information to executive directors, senior managers and operational governance committees on the capital programme, fixed assets register and progress against the NHS Capital Resource Limit. Be responsible for monitoring performance against NHSI target Trust wide, producing reports, recommendations where actual expenditure deviating from budget and ensuring implementation of said recommendations.
- Advise on capital sources of funding, including comparisons of lease, managed service contracts and purchase of medical equipment based on technical knowledge and compliance to International Financial Reporting Standards.
- Lead on capital funding bids as required.
- Maintaining the Trusts Lease register for all types of leases.
- Liaise regularly with capital scheme managers in order to efficiently monitor the various capital schemes. Produce high quality monthly expenditure reports and undertake appropriate variance analysis on the capital programme.
- Develop strategies and procedures to maximise eligible VAT recovery in respect of Capital projects ensuring these are disseminated and understood within the organisation.
General
- To make recommendations to improve current financial policies/ procedures. Responsible for the implementation of any new financial policy or procedure.
- To be continually aware of the need for improvement of systems, procedures and controls.
- Deputise for the Financial Controller as required.
Financial
- Access to confidential financial systems and processes throughout the Trust.
- Develop on an annual basis a service improvement programme for the finance and capital accounting function working with senior finance colleagues and operational leads to agree priorities and resources needed for delivering the change.
- Lead on the creation and implementation of information systems for collecting, evaluating and interpreting large volumes of intricate data on expenditure to inform stakeholders in the Trust in order to effectively manage operations.
Staff Management
- To undertake Personal Development Reviews and Appraisals on all directly managed staff, setting clear objectives and measurable outcomes.
- To participate in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff.
- To ensure staff receive annual mandatory training.
- Will consider the most effective way to promote equality of opportunity and good working relationships in employment and service delivery and can take actions which support and promote this agenda.
- Dedicate an average of 1 day per month to the training and development of the wider team.
Education and Training/Self-Development
- Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required.
- Participate in an annual individual performance review process where objectives will be agreed, performance monitored and personal development needs discussed.
- To attend/complete online where applicable all statutory and mandatory training as and when required to do so.
- Act responsibly in respect of colleague's health, safety and welfare following safe work practices and complying with the Trust's Health and Safety Policies.
- Adhere to all Trust Policies as applicable.
- Any other adhoc duties as directed by the Financial Controller.
Your application: Please ensure that you have read the job description and person specification and that your supporting statement reflects these, as your application will be assessed and scored against these criteria. For full details please refer to the Job Description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/OUTCOMES:
Performance Management and Delivery
- Manage the capital accounting function ensuring the provision of a comprehensive capital accounting service to senior managers within the Trust.
- Hold responsibility for the planning and production of the Trusts annual accounts and working papers in accordance with the Department of Health finance manual and associated guidance, to ensure that the Trust meets its statutory reporting requirements in relation to Capital.
- Liaise with external audit during their interim and annual audits.
- Hold overall responsibility for the timely completion of all Trust capital control accounts in line with the monthly timetable and to a high standard. Ensure these are reviewed and any issues investigated in a timely manner by supporting the financial accounts and capital teams to work with colleagues within and outside of the finance department.
- Ensure that VAT is accounted for in accordance with HMRC rules. The post holder will maintain an up-to-date knowledge of NHS VAT issues, providing guidance to finance and non-finance colleagues for VAT queries for capital.
- Act as the Trust expert on capital, working closely with operational finance, estates and facilities, SWL colleagues and operations colleagues to produce the annual and long-term capital plans which reflect the impact of changes in Trust strategy as well as internal service developments.
- Main point of contact for SWL in all matters relating to Capital.
- Build and maintain excellent working relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. Making contentious decisions which need to be communicated to a range of stakeholders.
- Being able to influence and manage stakeholders to accept decisions based on financial metrics, rather than emotive factors i.e. to invest in cancer or ITU services as an example.
- Ensure that reporting on capital schemes and that financial information for accountable project managers is comprehensive, understandable and timely.
- Responsible for the development and maintenance of the Trusts Fixed Asset Register, including the annual revaluation and depreciation forecasts as required by the DoH, NHSE/I and SWL, ensuring its ongoing robustness in support of the Capital Plan.
- Research any changes in national accounting practice and the NHS Finance regime as required, advising the Financial Controller that current Trust practices are in line with all good financial governance arrangements.
- Continually review financial systems, including ledger development opportunities, in order to maximise services provided, identifying and recommending revisions and improvements to financial procedures and policies when appropriate.
- To assess, respond and advise the Trust on the impact of NHS policy developments, particularly in relation to Capital funding and delegated limits.
- Undertake or oversee the audit of specific functions or procedures as appropriate to the role.
- Ensure the capital programme and fixed assets are accounted for correctly in line with accounting standards and NHS Improvement policy.
- Lead the production of annual published accounts to meet statutory requirements, supported by high quality papers.
- Produce the capital sections of the Trust annual accounts to meet statutory and audit requirements, supported by high quality working papers.
- Lead in the production of monthly external returns in line with reporting timetables; this will include calculating capital charge estimates and forecasts as required by external stakeholders, such as SWL sector.
- Provide high quality information to executive directors, senior managers and operational governance committees on the capital programme, fixed assets register and progress against the NHS Capital Resource Limit. Be responsible for monitoring performance against NHSI target Trust wide, producing reports, recommendations where actual expenditure deviating from budget and ensuring implementation of said recommendations.
- Advise on capital sources of funding, including comparisons of lease, managed service contracts and purchase of medical equipment based on technical knowledge and compliance to International Financial Reporting Standards.
- Lead on capital funding bids as required.
- Maintaining the Trusts Lease register for all types of leases.
- Liaise regularly with capital scheme managers in order to efficiently monitor the various capital schemes. Produce high quality monthly expenditure reports and undertake appropriate variance analysis on the capital programme.
- Develop strategies and procedures to maximise eligible VAT recovery in respect of Capital projects ensuring these are disseminated and understood within the organisation.
General
- To make recommendations to improve current financial policies/ procedures. Responsible for the implementation of any new financial policy or procedure.
- To be continually aware of the need for improvement of systems, procedures and controls.
- Deputise for the Financial Controller as required.
Financial
- Access to confidential financial systems and processes throughout the Trust.
- Develop on an annual basis a service improvement programme for the finance and capital accounting function working with senior finance colleagues and operational leads to agree priorities and resources needed for delivering the change.
- Lead on the creation and implementation of information systems for collecting, evaluating and interpreting large volumes of intricate data on expenditure to inform stakeholders in the Trust in order to effectively manage operations.
Staff Management
- To undertake Personal Development Reviews and Appraisals on all directly managed staff, setting clear objectives and measurable outcomes.
- To participate in the recruitment, selection and retention of staff.
- To ensure staff receive annual mandatory training.
- Will consider the most effective way to promote equality of opportunity and good working relationships in employment and service delivery and can take actions which support and promote this agenda.
- Dedicate an average of 1 day per month to the training and development of the wider team.
Education and Training/Self-Development
- Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required.
- Participate in an annual individual performance review process where objectives will be agreed, performance monitored and personal development needs discussed.
- To attend/complete online where applicable all statutory and mandatory training as and when required to do so.
- Act responsibly in respect of colleague's health, safety and welfare following safe work practices and complying with the Trust's Health and Safety Policies.
- Adhere to all Trust Policies as applicable.
- Any other adhoc duties as directed by the Financial Controller.
Your application: Please ensure that you have read the job description and person specification and that your supporting statement reflects these, as your application will be assessed and scored against these criteria. For full details please refer to the Job Description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oHolds a recognized Professional Accountancy Qualification (CCAB) or is a finalist with a recognized accountancy body on target to qualify within 12 months oDegree or equivalent oEvidence of CPD oEvidence of maintaining and developing technical accounting expertise and staying up-to-date with current rules
Desirable
- oHFMA advanced diplomas in Healthcare business & finance.
Experience
Essential
- oExperience in leadership / management role oIn-depth knowledge of capital accounting procedures in the NHS oIn-depth experience of fixed assets and capital program accounting oExperience of producing financial reporting including corporate / board level information and analysis. oEvidence of leading the year / month end process pertaining to Capital oUnderstanding of NHS VAT regime oUnderstanding of Leases and Managed Service Contracts.
Desirable
- oAcute Trust experience oEvidence of being able to provide strong professional leadership oEvidence of effective team building oEvidence of working across a range of stakeholders and emerging partners
Skills
Essential
- oAbility to communicate highly complex, sensitive & contentious issues at all levels within the organisation and with external stakeholders oExcellent verbal and non- verbal communications skills oHigh level written communication skills oAbility to draft complex reports used at a variety of levels oStrong leadership skills oEffective interpersonal skills oAdvanced spreadsheet skills oEffective presentation skills oEffective time management skills oEffective analytical and problem solving skills oWell-developed influencing I persuading skills oExcellent organisational skills used in planning the work priorities of others and self oFlexibility and the ability to handle a rapidly changing and ambiguous environment.
Desirable
- oComplex analytical skills oFinancial Modelling skills
Knowledge
Essential
- oSpecialist knowledge of NHS Capital Accounting oExpert knowledge of financial and accounting principles. oUnderstanding of Statutory Financial Requirements within the NHS oUnderstanding of NHS finance regime with an expert knowledge of financial and accounting procedures.
Desirable
- oA broad understanding of financial issues within the NHS oUnderstanding of Foundation Trust financial regime oA good understanding of the strategic direction of the NHS and its constituent bodies
Other
Essential
- oLeadership qualities oTeam player oFlexible oProactive and Assertive oInnovative oAbility to work under own volition and under pressure oThe ability to prioritise and manage a changing agenda oAble to manage a high volume workload oWillingness to accept responsibility
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oHolds a recognized Professional Accountancy Qualification (CCAB) or is a finalist with a recognized accountancy body on target to qualify within 12 months oDegree or equivalent oEvidence of CPD oEvidence of maintaining and developing technical accounting expertise and staying up-to-date with current rules
Desirable
- oHFMA advanced diplomas in Healthcare business & finance.
Experience
Essential
- oExperience in leadership / management role oIn-depth knowledge of capital accounting procedures in the NHS oIn-depth experience of fixed assets and capital program accounting oExperience of producing financial reporting including corporate / board level information and analysis. oEvidence of leading the year / month end process pertaining to Capital oUnderstanding of NHS VAT regime oUnderstanding of Leases and Managed Service Contracts.
Desirable
- oAcute Trust experience oEvidence of being able to provide strong professional leadership oEvidence of effective team building oEvidence of working across a range of stakeholders and emerging partners
Skills
Essential
- oAbility to communicate highly complex, sensitive & contentious issues at all levels within the organisation and with external stakeholders oExcellent verbal and non- verbal communications skills oHigh level written communication skills oAbility to draft complex reports used at a variety of levels oStrong leadership skills oEffective interpersonal skills oAdvanced spreadsheet skills oEffective presentation skills oEffective time management skills oEffective analytical and problem solving skills oWell-developed influencing I persuading skills oExcellent organisational skills used in planning the work priorities of others and self oFlexibility and the ability to handle a rapidly changing and ambiguous environment.
Desirable
- oComplex analytical skills oFinancial Modelling skills
Knowledge
Essential
- oSpecialist knowledge of NHS Capital Accounting oExpert knowledge of financial and accounting principles. oUnderstanding of Statutory Financial Requirements within the NHS oUnderstanding of NHS finance regime with an expert knowledge of financial and accounting procedures.
Desirable
- oA broad understanding of financial issues within the NHS oUnderstanding of Foundation Trust financial regime oA good understanding of the strategic direction of the NHS and its constituent bodies
Other
Essential
- oLeadership qualities oTeam player oFlexible oProactive and Assertive oInnovative oAbility to work under own volition and under pressure oThe ability to prioritise and manage a changing agenda oAble to manage a high volume workload oWillingness to accept responsibility
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.
