About this role
Job summary
Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed by the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Southeast Integrated Care Boards; and current at-risk employees within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts.
The Assistant Financial Accountant - Purchase to Pay plays a key role in the day to day operation and performance of the Financial Accounting team. The postholder provides specialist financial accounting support, including VAT compliance, treasury processes, payment authorisation, and oversight of key financial controls. They ensure the organisation meets the Better Payment Practice Code (BPPC), support the Agreement of Balances process, and contribute to the accuracy and integrity of the financial ledger.
The role requires strong numerical skills, advanced Excel capability, experience with general ledger systems, and the ability to manage a high volume workload. The postholder also supports junior team members through training, direction and development.
Main duties of the job
oApply NHS VAT rules accurately to invoices and credit notes, advising colleagues on VAT issues with support from SBS VAT Team.
oEnsure monies due from suppliers are promptly returned to the organisation.
oManage KPIs and ensure compliance with the Better Payment Practice Code (BPPC).
oProduce BPPC statistics for the monthly Performance and Investment Committee.
oAnalyse and action results from the National Fraud Initiative (NFI).
oPlan workloads in line with the Finance Monthly Timetable to meet strict deadlines.
oEnsure all payment upload schedules for SLAs and PHBs are completed accurately and authorised appropriately.
oAssist in the Payables Agreement of Balances exercise.
oSupport authorisation of weekly payment runs and approve payments within delegated limits.
oWork collaboratively with finance colleagues and non finance teams to resolve issues and improve processes.
oSupport junior team members through training, guidance, appraisal and welfare checks.
oCarry out other duties commensurate with banding and competence.
Please note, this vacancy does not meet the criteria for skilled worker sponsorship and therefore, we are unable to accept applications from candidates that cannot provide documentary evidence of right to work in the United Kingdom.
About us
We are committed to a culture that supports all staff at NHS Kent and Medway to be the best version of themselves.
Our ability to improve outcomes for our population depends on how effectively clinical, operational, financial and strategic professionals work together to make informed commissioning decisions. That's why our workforce works a minimum of two days-a-week on-site, with the expectation that all one-to-ones are held face-to-face and that colleagues will regularly visit the services we are commissioning to understand more about them.
We believe regular on-site working supports stronger collaboration, faster problem-solving, peer learning, visible leadership and the integration of colleagues into our organisation. We also know that culture is built through shared experiences and day-to-day interactions.
We are a flexible working friendly organisation; we aim to support you to work flexibly in a way that will suit you and us.
We work with staff to agree objectives through regular supervision, annual appraisal and access to training opportunities.
We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity. In order to reflect the diversity of our population, we positively encourage applications from all areas of the community regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Job description Job responsibilities
The job description and person specification gives you all the information you need about this role. Please look carefully at the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this.
Still have questions? The recruiting manager would love to hear from you, their contact details can be found in the job advert.
We can get a lot of applications for some roles so to be in with the best chance of being shortlisted please make sure you apply as soon as possible. A vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest in the job.
If you need an application form in an alternative format please let our recruitment team know so they can help you with this.
All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Experience Essential
CCAB part qualified Educated to degree level or equivalent experience. Further training or significant experience in project management, financial management or change management. Experience evaluating and measuring performance of health services Experience leading financial aspects of transformation projects or business cases
Desirable
Experience in NHS financial accounting or treasury functions
Compentencies Essential
Competent IT user, especially Excel. Evidence of effective project and programme management. Strong report writing and presentation skills Commitment to continuing 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 NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board
Address Gail House
Maidstone
ME15 6NB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kentandmedway.icb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)