Job summary
Are you a highly motivated, enthusiastic and flexible
Finance professional who is looking for your next step on the career ladder.
We are on the look out for a dynamic and ambitious
individual to join us in the role of
Financial Accountant based at The Whitehouse Business Park, Peterlee
where you will provide support to the Financial Services Manager in managing,
developing and innovating the Financial Services Department. You will manage
the cashiering and charity teams to provide a comprehensive financial
accounting service to County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, the
CDDFT Charity and its subsidiary company.
What we can offer you:
Competetive salary plus generous NHS Pension
27 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing at
service intervals
24/7 Employer Assistance Programme
Hybrid flexible working to support work life balance
Salary sacrifice car, cycle to work and Home technology
schemes
Main duties of the job
As Financial Accountant you will play a key role within the
Financial Services team, taking the lead responsibility for their area, helping
to manage and advise on all financial matters, in particular:
To act as
the finance lead the CDDFT Charity
To take a
lead role in VAT accounting issues and calculation of provisions
To take a supporting
role in cash flow forecasting and cash management,
To make a
contribution towards the Annual Financial Returns,
To
be responsible for all aspects of staff development within the Financial
Services Department as well as representing the department at external
recruitment events.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary £23,200, to apply you must have Right to Work in the United Kingdom. If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as Finance lead for the Trusts Charity, more
specifically to:
Ensure that the financial operations of the charity are
managed in accordance with charity law, Charity Commission rules and guidance
and the internal policies and procedures agreed and implemented by the
Corporate Trustee.
Maintain effective control over all expenditure, including
the vetting of all requisitions to ensure that there are funds available, that
they properly approved and are charitable in nature, and are correctly
accounted for in accordance with agreed procurement procedures and VAT rules.
Maintain effective control over all income, including the
vetting of all transactions to ensure that they are charitable in nature and
are correctly processed and accounted for.
Maintain effective control over all assets and liabilities
by reviewing control accounts and ensuring that all discrepancies are cleared
quickly and accurately.
Maintain a secure financial accounting system, sufficient to
produce accurate information quickly.
Deal with fund management issues, including identifying when
new funds are required and when changes to existing funds are required, and
advising appropriate action.
Oversee the monthly accounting and reporting process and
ensure relevant deadlines are met, including the provision of financial and
management accounting information for stakeholders such as fund-managers and
internal audit.
Report to the Corporate Trustee via the Charity Committee on
key charity operations and activities, including financial performance and
position and cash flow.
Prepare the annual report and accounts and ensure that they
are audited in accordance with legal requirements, approved by the Corporate
Trustee and submitted to the Charity Commission with an annual return by the
due date.
Lead in discussions with internal and external audit on
charity matters including discussion and resolution of action points raised and
agreed.
Work with all other charitys advisors including Charity
Commission, investment portfolio manager, HM Revenue and Customs and legal
advisor.
Keep up-to-date with developments in charity accounting and
best practice, to advise the Corporate Trustee where changes in policy and
procedure are required, and to implement such revisions.
Day-to-day management of the
cashiering and charity teams, taking a lead with their appointment,
development, training and education.
This will involve carrying out annual appraisals giving advice and
guidance on their career development, other issues including professional
training, sickness absence and disciplinary and rota management of the cashier
offices.
Establish
and monitor effective systems for the accurate reporting and payment of PAYE
and NIC to HM Revenue and Customs, and NHS Pensions to NHS Business Services
Authority.
Have and
apply a sound understanding of the key tax rules appropriate to the NHS,
specifically advising on areas of income tax such as benefit-in-kind and salary
sacrifice, and act as the VAT specialist for both the Trust and its Subsidiary
Company.
Support
the Financial Services Manager in the production of statutory financial
accounts and related returns, including production of the working papers, and
in ensuring that non-staff expenditure accords with the trusts scheme of
delegation.
Ensure
that the Trusts assets and liabilities are accurately reflected in the
financial ledger by reconciling key control accounts, including stores, and
resolving all differences quickly and accurately.
Support
the Financial Services Management to review, develop and maintain financial
systems ensuring a culture of continuous improvement exists at all levels in
the department contributing to increased productivity, quality and usefulness
of financial information. This includes utilising the Trusts financial system
in the most effective and efficient way.
Act as the
training lead for the department, linking in with the Trusts Learning and
Development department, Financial Management team and external finance training
partners such as One NHS Finance and Skills Development Network. Represent the
Financial Services department at both internal and external training and
recruitment events.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Act as Finance lead for the Trusts Charity, more
specifically to:
Ensure that the financial operations of the charity are
managed in accordance with charity law, Charity Commission rules and guidance
and the internal policies and procedures agreed and implemented by the
Corporate Trustee.
Maintain effective control over all expenditure, including
the vetting of all requisitions to ensure that there are funds available, that
they properly approved and are charitable in nature, and are correctly
accounted for in accordance with agreed procurement procedures and VAT rules.
Maintain effective control over all income, including the
vetting of all transactions to ensure that they are charitable in nature and
are correctly processed and accounted for.
Maintain effective control over all assets and liabilities
by reviewing control accounts and ensuring that all discrepancies are cleared
quickly and accurately.
Maintain a secure financial accounting system, sufficient to
produce accurate information quickly.
Deal with fund management issues, including identifying when
new funds are required and when changes to existing funds are required, and
advising appropriate action.
Oversee the monthly accounting and reporting process and
ensure relevant deadlines are met, including the provision of financial and
management accounting information for stakeholders such as fund-managers and
internal audit.
Report to the Corporate Trustee via the Charity Committee on
key charity operations and activities, including financial performance and
position and cash flow.
Prepare the annual report and accounts and ensure that they
are audited in accordance with legal requirements, approved by the Corporate
Trustee and submitted to the Charity Commission with an annual return by the
due date.
Lead in discussions with internal and external audit on
charity matters including discussion and resolution of action points raised and
agreed.
Work with all other charitys advisors including Charity
Commission, investment portfolio manager, HM Revenue and Customs and legal
advisor.
Keep up-to-date with developments in charity accounting and
best practice, to advise the Corporate Trustee where changes in policy and
procedure are required, and to implement such revisions.
Day-to-day management of the
cashiering and charity teams, taking a lead with their appointment,
development, training and education.
This will involve carrying out annual appraisals giving advice and
guidance on their career development, other issues including professional
training, sickness absence and disciplinary and rota management of the cashier
offices.
Establish
and monitor effective systems for the accurate reporting and payment of PAYE
and NIC to HM Revenue and Customs, and NHS Pensions to NHS Business Services
Authority.
Have and
apply a sound understanding of the key tax rules appropriate to the NHS,
specifically advising on areas of income tax such as benefit-in-kind and salary
sacrifice, and act as the VAT specialist for both the Trust and its Subsidiary
Company.
Support
the Financial Services Manager in the production of statutory financial
accounts and related returns, including production of the working papers, and
in ensuring that non-staff expenditure accords with the trusts scheme of
delegation.
Ensure
that the Trusts assets and liabilities are accurately reflected in the
financial ledger by reconciling key control accounts, including stores, and
resolving all differences quickly and accurately.
Support
the Financial Services Management to review, develop and maintain financial
systems ensuring a culture of continuous improvement exists at all levels in
the department contributing to increased productivity, quality and usefulness
of financial information. This includes utilising the Trusts financial system
in the most effective and efficient way.
Act as the
training lead for the department, linking in with the Trusts Learning and
Development department, Financial Management team and external finance training
partners such as One NHS Finance and Skills Development Network. Represent the
Financial Services department at both internal and external training and
recruitment events.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a finance function.
- Experience of using computerised finance systems; General Ledger & report writing software.
- Experience of Microsoft Office software applications.
Desirable
- Experience of working within NHS finance.
- Experience of working within Charity Finance.
- Knowledge/experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures.
- Experience of using Oracle General Ledger and Discoverer.
Special Requirements
Essential
- A commitment to the continuous development of the finance department to be innovative and to constantly seek new ways of working/improving performance.
- Able to travel throughout the Trust Area.
Qualifications
Essential
- CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist or significant equivalent NHS.
- Financial Management Experience
Desirable
- Clear Plan of working towards CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or evidence of continued professional development.
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Communication & Relationship Skills- Able to advise finance and non-finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
- - Ability to communicate and negotiate will staff at all levels within and outside of the Trust.
- - Understands, and can effectively convey current financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
- Analytical & Judgement Skills - Good analytical skills, including the interpretation of complex data for management information.
- - Ability to produce and analyse business cases, including the development and appraisal of options, to optimise the allocation of resources.
- Planning & Organisation Skills - Ability to plan and manage own workload of own team to ensure workload is delivered to a high quality within deadlines.
- Governance and Risk Management - Advises others on compliance with the Corporate Governance Manual (e.g. SFIs, Schemes of Delegation) and applies the principles of accountability, transparency, integrity and the public good to all activities within own area.
- - Supervises others in their compliance with financial policies and procedures.
- - Applies knowledge of the regulatory framework for risk management and advises the organisation on issues relating to financial risk, measuring, assessing and reporting on responses, controls and required actions.
- Customer focused Business Advice - Has a wider awareness of the organisation and its position in the marketplace and uses this to challenge processes and data in order to make improvements.
- - Identifies and implements opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of service provided within own role and own team/area of finance.
- - Actively seeks feedback from customers and stakeholders in order to constantly improve.
- Mental & Physical Attributes - Excellent organisational skills.
- - Capable of working independently.
- - Able to work under pressure and deliver high quality work within challenging deadlines.
- Interpersonal Skills - Clear and effective communication and presentation skills.
- - Good people management skills
- - Team working, motivation & delegation.
- - Good influencing, analytical and negotiation skills.
- - Good written communication skills.
- NHS Finance Knowledge - Knowledge and understanding of current NHS funding regime.
- - Knowledge and understanding of current NHS financial developments and initiatives.
- Information Technology - Manipulates data within software to obtain management information.
- - Is able to programme software to create information in a new format (e.g. complex structures of linked spread sheets/databases).
- - Suitable for accounting purposes and for use by others.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS Charity Accounting regime.
- Knowledge of NHS VAT rules.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a finance function.
- Experience of using computerised finance systems; General Ledger & report writing software.
- Experience of Microsoft Office software applications.
Desirable
- Experience of working within NHS finance.
- Experience of working within Charity Finance.
- Knowledge/experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures.
- Experience of using Oracle General Ledger and Discoverer.
Special Requirements
Essential
- A commitment to the continuous development of the finance department to be innovative and to constantly seek new ways of working/improving performance.
- Able to travel throughout the Trust Area.
Qualifications
Essential
- CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist or significant equivalent NHS.
- Financial Management Experience
Desirable
- Clear Plan of working towards CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or evidence of continued professional development.
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Communication & Relationship Skills- Able to advise finance and non-finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
- - Ability to communicate and negotiate will staff at all levels within and outside of the Trust.
- - Understands, and can effectively convey current financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
- Analytical & Judgement Skills - Good analytical skills, including the interpretation of complex data for management information.
- - Ability to produce and analyse business cases, including the development and appraisal of options, to optimise the allocation of resources.
- Planning & Organisation Skills - Ability to plan and manage own workload of own team to ensure workload is delivered to a high quality within deadlines.
- Governance and Risk Management - Advises others on compliance with the Corporate Governance Manual (e.g. SFIs, Schemes of Delegation) and applies the principles of accountability, transparency, integrity and the public good to all activities within own area.
- - Supervises others in their compliance with financial policies and procedures.
- - Applies knowledge of the regulatory framework for risk management and advises the organisation on issues relating to financial risk, measuring, assessing and reporting on responses, controls and required actions.
- Customer focused Business Advice - Has a wider awareness of the organisation and its position in the marketplace and uses this to challenge processes and data in order to make improvements.
- - Identifies and implements opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of service provided within own role and own team/area of finance.
- - Actively seeks feedback from customers and stakeholders in order to constantly improve.
- Mental & Physical Attributes - Excellent organisational skills.
- - Capable of working independently.
- - Able to work under pressure and deliver high quality work within challenging deadlines.
- Interpersonal Skills - Clear and effective communication and presentation skills.
- - Good people management skills
- - Team working, motivation & delegation.
- - Good influencing, analytical and negotiation skills.
- - Good written communication skills.
- NHS Finance Knowledge - Knowledge and understanding of current NHS funding regime.
- - Knowledge and understanding of current NHS financial developments and initiatives.
- Information Technology - Manipulates data within software to obtain management information.
- - Is able to programme software to create information in a new format (e.g. complex structures of linked spread sheets/databases).
- - Suitable for accounting purposes and for use by others.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the NHS Charity Accounting regime.
- Knowledge of NHS VAT rules.
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).
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).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
The Whitehouse, Centre for Health
Whitehouse Business Park, Traynor Way
Peterlee
County Durham
SR8 2RU
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
