About this role
Job summary
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is looking for a Head of Financial Control who can do two things well: keep us safe, and help us get better.
This is a senior leadership role at the heart of our finance function, responsible for the integrity of our financial statements, the strength of our control environment, and our relationship with internal and external audit. You'll be the person the Trust relies on to make sure the accounts are right, the controls hold, and the auditors are satisfied.
But we're not looking for a caretaker. We want someone who sees a clunky reconciliation process or an inefficient month-end close and wants to fix it -- someone who's excited by what automation, data analytics and AI can do for financial control, not just familiar with the terms. You'll have real scope to modernise how Financial Control operates: automating what should be automated, simplifying what's become overcomplicated, and freeing up your team's time for the analysis and insight that actually adds value.
If you want a role where "we've always done it this way" is a problem to solve rather than a policy to enforce -- and where you'll have the backing of the Deputy CFO to do something about it -- we'd like to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
Day to day, you'll be the person who makes sure the Trust's financial statements tell an accurate story -- leading the production of month-end accounts, annual reports and governance papers that senior leaders can trust and act on. You'll be the one building the kind of relationship with internal and external audit that turns their findings into real improvements, not just a list of actions to close off.
You'll keep the Trust's finances safe day-to-day -- overseeing cash and treasury management, making sure suppliers get paid on time and debt gets collected, and holding the control framework together so it flexes with the organisation rather than getting in its way.
Where this role gets interesting is what you do next. You'll look at the processes your team runs -- the reconciliations, the approvals, the month-end scramble -- and ask why they still take as long as they do. Then you'll do something about it: applying Lean thinking, automating what should never have needed a human in the first place, and exploring what AI can genuinely do for accuracy and speed, always with a clear eye on the controls that have to stay intact. And you'll lead a team through all of this -- building people who are as comfortable redesigning a process as they are defending one at audit.
About us
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! - BHT - A great place to work (buckshealthcare.nhs.uk)
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression. We offer flexible and agile workingopportunities,alongside your NHS benefits ofgenerous annual leave entitlement, pension andaccess toNHS discount schemes. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce. Why work for us?
We're committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect. Greater diversity withinourBHT familyimprovespositive outcomes for the people and communities we serve. A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families. What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time. Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Job description Job responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.
If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.
If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on [email protected] quoting the vacancy reference number.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Qualified CCAB Experience in a senior role in a complex organisation Strong technical accounting skills Experience in managing a team
Desirable
Strong communication skills
Experience Essential
Working with assurance functions
Desirable
Improvements following audit recommendations
Skills Essential
Ability to present financial information Experience in change management
Desirable
Experience in process improvement
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Address Amersham Hospital
Whielden Street
Amersham
HP7 0JD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)