Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a suitably
experienced and motivated Associate Care Group Accountant to join our
successful team, award winning Financial Management function at County Durham
and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
The role is a key part of our finance team providing
financial support and guidance to the organisation and supporting the financial
strategy of the department. We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who is
passionate about what they do in order to support delivering the best care for
patients.
In return we will offer you a warm and welcoming environment
where you will be fully supported.
We operate an agile working policy, whereby, the team are
based on site for a proportion of the week and have the option to work at home,
for 2 days per week, on a rota basis.
We are an ACCA approved employer, CIMA premier partner and a
Member of the AAT Employer Scheme.
Alongside this, department is One NHS Finance Future Focussed Finance
Level 2 accredited.
This role is positioned to enable excellent
developmental and career progression opportunitie
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will work alongside the Care Group
Accountant, within a smaller team of 5 or 6 people, to provide a comprehensive
financial management and business advice service to Clinical Care Groups.
The role will support the Care Group Accountant, Associate
Director of Financial Management and Care Group budget managers to meet their
overall service and business objectives within the resources allocated to them
and to ensure corporate finance responsibilities are delivered.
To supervise, manage and motivate the financial management
team to ensure delivery of high quality and timely financial advice &
information.
To participate in the continuous improvement of the
financial management team.
In order to apply, you should be CCAB passed finalist or
have significant equivalent NHS financial management experience. You will have
excellent numerical and analytical skills and possess the ability to work
autonomously, achieve deadlines and prioritise workloads of yourself and the team.
Significant experience in Microsoft Excel and a
good understanding of general ledger accounting software would be an advantage.
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
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
usiness Advice and Planning
Through the provision of expert, high quality, timely,
financial and business advice the Care Group Accountant will take lead
responsibility for the Clinical Care Groups use of financial resources and the
achievement of the Care Groups financial objectives and thereby assist the
Care Groups in the achievement of their activity, access, quality and workforce
targets as set by the Trust Board through the operational planning framework.
More specifically this will include advising on:
the financial and economic
implications of national and local policies, targets and procedures
the
development and implementation of longer term operational & financial
planning which is consistent with current spending review settlements for the
NHS.
development
of schemes to support delivery of their IQEW targets (Improving Quality
Eliminating Waste)
Supporting
the care group in the active pursuit of opportunities to increase and protect
income & market share incl the accurate assessment of income and
expenditure implications of such proposed service developments / growth.
Financial Control
The Care Group Accountant will maintain the Trusts
financial performance framework, ensuring financial control is maintained at
Care Group and Departmental level through:
Ensuing
the division is aware, adequately trained and adheres to the Standing Financial
Instructions of the trust
monitoring
actual performance against income, expenditure and cost reduction targets
forecasting
of future performance and assessment of associated financial risk
concise
and accurate reporting of financial performance up to Care Group Management and
the Trust Board, to assist decision making at all levels
disseminating
key messages to Care Group and Departmental staff, including challenging
relevant individuals when required
development
and implementation of action plans to address poor performance
escalation
to senior management where performance does not improve or where financial risk
is increasing despite these measures being put in place.
Efficiency and Productivity Improvement
The Care Group Accountant will actively seek opportunities
to drive the improvements expected by the Trust Board in clinical efficiency
and productivity, and will assist Care Groups in developing and implementing
strategies to achieve these aims, for example through:
the rapid
development of Service Line Reporting through clinical engagement to provide
robust financial intelligence at granular service level and longer term at
individual patient level
Identification
of areas of waste and inefficiency
benchmarking
against best practice
development
of care group scorecards.
Management of the Finance Team
The Care Group Accountant will supervise, manage and
motivate the financial management team to ensure delivery of high quality and
timely financial advice & information. More specifically this will include:
leading
on staff appointment, development, training and education including annual
appraisals, giving advice and guidance on career development, and contribution
to the professional training of team members via the Financial Management
Training Scheme.
leading,
alongside the other Care Group & Corporate Accountants, a process of
continuous improvement at all levels in the department, which will contribute
to increased productivity within the team, and to improving the quality and
usefulness of financial and business advice and information provided to the
Clinical Care Groups and Corporate Divisional teams.
Other Corporate Finance Responsibilities
To lead
the annual budget setting process for their areas of responsibility, ensuring
that budgets reflect service requirements whilst at the same time staying
within the Trusts projected resources.
To ensure
compliance with the requirements and deadlines for key financial returns such
as Annual Accounts, Monitor plans and returns, Reference Costs, Tariff Road
Testing, freedom of information requests, liaison with internal/external audit
etc
To
contribute to the development of Service Line Management, through Service Line
Reporting, care group and departmental P&Ls, and patient level costing
To
contribute to the development of the financial skills and business awareness of
clinical staff in order to maximise the potential for improvement in clinical
quality, operational efficiency & financial performance resulting from
decisions made at divisional level.
To
perform any other duties as may be delegated from time to time.
Job description
Job responsibilities
usiness Advice and Planning
Through the provision of expert, high quality, timely,
financial and business advice the Care Group Accountant will take lead
responsibility for the Clinical Care Groups use of financial resources and the
achievement of the Care Groups financial objectives and thereby assist the
Care Groups in the achievement of their activity, access, quality and workforce
targets as set by the Trust Board through the operational planning framework.
More specifically this will include advising on:
the financial and economic
implications of national and local policies, targets and procedures
the
development and implementation of longer term operational & financial
planning which is consistent with current spending review settlements for the
NHS.
development
of schemes to support delivery of their IQEW targets (Improving Quality
Eliminating Waste)
Supporting
the care group in the active pursuit of opportunities to increase and protect
income & market share incl the accurate assessment of income and
expenditure implications of such proposed service developments / growth.
Financial Control
The Care Group Accountant will maintain the Trusts
financial performance framework, ensuring financial control is maintained at
Care Group and Departmental level through:
Ensuing
the division is aware, adequately trained and adheres to the Standing Financial
Instructions of the trust
monitoring
actual performance against income, expenditure and cost reduction targets
forecasting
of future performance and assessment of associated financial risk
concise
and accurate reporting of financial performance up to Care Group Management and
the Trust Board, to assist decision making at all levels
disseminating
key messages to Care Group and Departmental staff, including challenging
relevant individuals when required
development
and implementation of action plans to address poor performance
escalation
to senior management where performance does not improve or where financial risk
is increasing despite these measures being put in place.
Efficiency and Productivity Improvement
The Care Group Accountant will actively seek opportunities
to drive the improvements expected by the Trust Board in clinical efficiency
and productivity, and will assist Care Groups in developing and implementing
strategies to achieve these aims, for example through:
the rapid
development of Service Line Reporting through clinical engagement to provide
robust financial intelligence at granular service level and longer term at
individual patient level
Identification
of areas of waste and inefficiency
benchmarking
against best practice
development
of care group scorecards.
Management of the Finance Team
The Care Group Accountant will supervise, manage and
motivate the financial management team to ensure delivery of high quality and
timely financial advice & information. More specifically this will include:
leading
on staff appointment, development, training and education including annual
appraisals, giving advice and guidance on career development, and contribution
to the professional training of team members via the Financial Management
Training Scheme.
leading,
alongside the other Care Group & Corporate Accountants, a process of
continuous improvement at all levels in the department, which will contribute
to increased productivity within the team, and to improving the quality and
usefulness of financial and business advice and information provided to the
Clinical Care Groups and Corporate Divisional teams.
Other Corporate Finance Responsibilities
To lead
the annual budget setting process for their areas of responsibility, ensuring
that budgets reflect service requirements whilst at the same time staying
within the Trusts projected resources.
To ensure
compliance with the requirements and deadlines for key financial returns such
as Annual Accounts, Monitor plans and returns, Reference Costs, Tariff Road
Testing, freedom of information requests, liaison with internal/external audit
etc
To
contribute to the development of Service Line Management, through Service Line
Reporting, care group and departmental P&Ls, and patient level costing
To
contribute to the development of the financial skills and business awareness of
clinical staff in order to maximise the potential for improvement in clinical
quality, operational efficiency & financial performance resulting from
decisions made at divisional level.
To
perform any other duties as may be delegated from time to time.
Person Specification
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;
-
- The ability to advise, influence and negotiate with staff at all levels within and outside the Trust. This will include the presentation of complex financial and non financial information to non financial managers, occasionally in large groups.
- Understands, and can effectively convey current financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
- Analytical & Judgement Skills
- 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 the 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. Standing Financial Instructions, Scheme of Delegation, Standing Orders) and applies the principes of accountability, transparency, integrity and the public good to all activitied eithin own area
- Supervises others in their compliance with financial policies and procedures
- Support and promotes strong financial management culture and develops finance skills and knowledge of governance issues
- Customer Focused Business Advice
- Has a wider awareness of the organisation and its position in the marketplace and uses this to challende processes and data in order to make improvements.
- Supports in the generation and interpretation of financial information to assist the Care Group understand itself more fully
- Identifies and implements opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services provided within own role/team and finance department as a whole.
- Using Information Technology
- Uses IT to gather, interpret and manipulate information to meet the needs of the Care Group
- Mental & Physical Attributes
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to cope with rapid and sustained change
- 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
Desirable
- Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
- Experience/knowledge of the NHS financial regime, including capital accounting, payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
- Experience of Oracle general ledger and Microsoft Office
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
- Experience in advising finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
- Knowledge, experience and expertise in finance management and staff management.
Desirable
- Exposure to working mid- management level
- Experience of working within NHS finance
- Good understanding of the performance management and financial framework within the NHS.
- Experience/Knowledge of the NHS Financial regime, including capital accounting, the payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
- 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.
- Full driving licence and use of car during business hours.
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
Person Specification
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;
-
- The ability to advise, influence and negotiate with staff at all levels within and outside the Trust. This will include the presentation of complex financial and non financial information to non financial managers, occasionally in large groups.
- Understands, and can effectively convey current financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
- Analytical & Judgement Skills
- 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 the 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. Standing Financial Instructions, Scheme of Delegation, Standing Orders) and applies the principes of accountability, transparency, integrity and the public good to all activitied eithin own area
- Supervises others in their compliance with financial policies and procedures
- Support and promotes strong financial management culture and develops finance skills and knowledge of governance issues
- Customer Focused Business Advice
- Has a wider awareness of the organisation and its position in the marketplace and uses this to challende processes and data in order to make improvements.
- Supports in the generation and interpretation of financial information to assist the Care Group understand itself more fully
- Identifies and implements opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services provided within own role/team and finance department as a whole.
- Using Information Technology
- Uses IT to gather, interpret and manipulate information to meet the needs of the Care Group
- Mental & Physical Attributes
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to cope with rapid and sustained change
- 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
Desirable
- Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
- Experience/knowledge of the NHS financial regime, including capital accounting, payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
- Experience of Oracle general ledger and Microsoft Office
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
- Experience in advising finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
- Knowledge, experience and expertise in finance management and staff management.
Desirable
- Exposure to working mid- management level
- Experience of working within NHS finance
- Good understanding of the performance management and financial framework within the NHS.
- Experience/Knowledge of the NHS Financial regime, including capital accounting, the payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
- 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.
- Full driving licence and use of car during business hours.
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
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.
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
