Management Accountant @ Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

The role of Management Accountant forms a key part of the Finance team within the Finance Directorate. The post holder will assist in the provision of a complete, professional financial service to specified Sites/Departments, providing timely and accurate financial support and advice through the provision of robust monitoring information.

The postholder will support the Deputy Finance Business Partner/Finance Manager/ Deputy Finance Manager in delivering a customer focused service to budget holders of the highest possible standard, including monthly reporting in line with the Trust timetable, preparing monthly financial performance reports and forecasts, and analysing trends and variances.

The postholder will assist the Deputy Finance Business Partner/Finance Manager in ensuring the Site/Department can manage their financial position and that the Trust as a whole meets its financial targets.

Main duties of the job

• Provision of Trusted Financial Reportingo Working with Site/Department Management to agree their budget for each yearoAssisting in the production of the Site/Department monthly financial position within monthly timetablesoSupporting the production of robust and detailed year end forecasts in accordance with Trust standards and timetablesoPreparing, calculating, planning and monitoring complex information (using Excel spreadsheets and other software as appropriate), ensuring the accurate input of data and coding of transactions.o Calculating and producing costings for budget holder developments, advising budget holders in a clear and concise manner without the use of financial jargon.oReconciling income and expenditure accounts to appropriate systems and identifying, investigating and if necessary, correcting items of discrepancy.oInvestigating expenditure and income financial codes, preparing variance, trend and forecasting analysis, assisting in proposing suggested courses of action to budget holders and making corrections once authorised.oPlanning, overseeing and co-ordinating the production of complex monthly financial reports to an agreed timetable.oIdentifying for a range of expenditure and income codes, at period and year end, any accruals and prepayments that are necessary, completing journals and input into the appropriate financial systems/spreadsheets.

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Provision of Trusted Financial Reporting Working with Site/Department Management to agree their budget for each yearAssisting in the production of the Site/Department monthly financial position within monthly timetablesSupporting the production of robust and detailed year end forecasts in accordance with Trust standards and timetablesPreparing, calculating, planning and monitoring complex information (using Excel spreadsheets and other software as appropriate), ensuring the accurate input of data and coding of transactions.
• Calculating and producing costings for budget holder developments, advising budget holders in a clear and concise manner without the use of financial jargon.
• Reconciling income and expenditure accounts to appropriate systems and identifying, investigating and if necessary, correcting items of discrepancy.
• Investigating expenditure and income financial codes, preparing variance, trend and forecasting analysis, assisting in proposing suggested courses of action to budget holders and making corrections once authorised.
• Planning, overseeing and co-ordinating the production of complex monthly financial reports to an agreed timetable.
• Identifying for a range of expenditure and income codes, at period and year end, any accruals and prepayments that are necessary, completing journals and input into the appropriate financial systems/spreadsheets.Improving Value Supporting the Site/Department Management to develop efficiency schemes by providing financial, support, advice and direction.
• Assessing, monitoring and reviewing the delivery of efficiencies and associated financial benefits in yearBusiness Cases Supporting the Site/Department Management in the development and production of business cases Ensuring the financial working papers reflect the case and meet the required quality standard Work alongside colleagues to ensure understanding of the financial consequences of different options being considered
• 1. Communication Provide complex financial information and analysis, producing reports and ensuring that all systems and processes are up to date and accurate in order to assist with the various year-end accounting activities. Training and providing complex advice and information on a regular basis to new and existing budget holders in financial matters. Some of these budget holders will have little or no previous experience of financial matters and will have quite significant financial responsibilities. Attend meetings in support of the Financial Management Reporting team as required.
• 2. Analytical and Planning Preparing, calculating, planning and monitoring complex information (using Excel spreadsheets and other Microsoft programs), ensuring the accurate input of data and coding of transactions. Calculating and producing costings for speciality-based budget holder developments, advising budget holders in a clear and concise manner without the use of financial jargon. Identifying for a range of expenditure and income codes, at period and year end, any accruals and prepayments that are necessary, completing journals and input into the appropriate financial systems/spreadsheets.
• 3. Policy and Service Development Support financial planning and implementation to achieve the objectives in the Trust and Site/Department Annual Plans. Provide financial support and advice on complex business cases and value for money exercises. Make suggestions on how to improve the processes, procedures, working practices, policies and management within the department and ensure that all duties are carried out in accordance with Trust SFIs and Financial Procedures. Assist in the development of Cost Improvement Plans with relevant budget holders and the associated analysis and support. Assist with financial planning to identify the Site/Departments clinical efficiencies programme and to agree this framework with the Site/Department management teams. To ensure timely monitoring and reporting for the programme against the agreed plan.
• 4. Clinical Duties N/A (incidental patient contact)
• 5. Information Resources To comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act regarding the confidentiality of personal and patient information To undertake any other duties as required which are consistent with the grade and nature of the post. To promote the professional standards set by the Finance Directorate management team and lead by example. To develop the professional financial service delivered to the Site/Departments and implement any recommendations from the Trust Board to further enhance the delivery of financial advice and support. To ensure all local and communal processes and procedures within financial management are fully documented and review for updates regularly. To make recommendations on improving financial control within the Site/Departments and Trust and if approved to support implementation and monitoring of new practice. To recommend improvements and changes to local working practices. This job profile is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the postholder will be subject to review as part of the Appraisal and Development Plan process. The post holder will be expected to perform any other duties or responsibilities as assigned by management, within scope of the role.
• 6. Financial and Physical Resources The post holder is responsible for the safe keeping of equipment and documents (physical and electronic) relating to the role.
• 7. Effort, Skills and WorkingPhysical SkillsJobholders are required to have standard keyboard skills with high degree of accuracy. Physical EffortThe jobholder will be expected to spend long periods of time sitting at a desk inputting at a keyboard, reading data on screens, or attending meetings. The role may also require travelling between sites on a frequent basis, as required. Mental EffortThe jobholder will frequently be required to concentrate for prolonged period of time on complex documents, calculations and analysis of detailed financial data.Be active and participate in meetings. Emotional EffortThe jobholder is occasionally likely to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances in relation to the direct management of staff. Working ConditionsThis role will require working across all of the hospital sites as required and will be expected to be on site most days.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• AAT Diploma Level 4 or equivalent (e.g., NVQ 4, Ordinary degree).

Desirable

• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• At least two years' experience of working in a finance environment is essential with detailed knowledge of reconciliations, double entry booking keeping, financial systems including budgeting processes etc.
• Experience of budget setting

Desirable

• Theoretical Knowledge of technical accounting issues currently facing the NHS
• Knowledge of the application of PLICs and SLR.

Skills & Aptitudes

Essential

• ECDL or equivalent is essential. - i.e., experienced in the use of financial systems/ spreadsheets/ databases / word processing. Advanced keyboard skills essential.
• Specifically advanced ability on Microsoft Excel and good knowledge of Databases.
• Excellent communication skills, including listening and influencing & persuading.

Desirable

• Advanced ability in Access Databases
• Ability to plan and organise a broad range of complex activities

Personal Attributes

Essential

• A team player with an ability to lead others
• Self-motivated and able to work to tight deadlines

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

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Britannia House, Britannia Business Park

Comet Way

Southend-on-Sea

SS2 6GD

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)