About this role
Job summary
West Kent Primary Care GP Federation is seeking an experienced and proactive Financial Controller to provide high-quality financial leadership, governance, compliance and reporting across the organisation.
Working closely with senior leaders, clinicians, member practices and NHS partners, you will help ensure robust financial controls, accurate reporting and effective stewardship of public funds. This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the financial health and governance of a growing primary care organisation working alongside the NHS. This role will be pivotal in assisting the Board to deliver the strategic operating plan and maintain financial stability.
Interviews will take place in-person on the afternoon of either 5th August or the morning of 7th August 2026.
Main duties of the job
Work collaboratively with NHS partners to support strong financial governance across the Federation.Ensure compliance with NHS financial standards, contractual requirements and internal controls.Provide accurate financial information, analysis and advice to support joint decision-making and the effective use of NHS resources.Maintain robust financial records, budgets, forecasts and reports to support operational and strategic planning.Monitor, identify and record financial risks, ensuring appropriate mitigation and escalation.Ensure all income and expenditure is properly authorised, recorded and reconciled.Support audit activity, action planning and improvements to financial processes and controls.Promote transparency, accountability and value for money in the use of NHS funds.Work closely with clinical, operational and member practice colleagues to support sound financial stewardship.
About us
West Kent Primary Care GP Federation works in partnership with NHS colleagues, member practices and local stakeholders to support the delivery of high-quality primary care services across West Kent. We are committed to strong governance, transparency and the effective use of NHS resources to improve patient care.
We offer a supportive and collaborative working environment, flexible working arrangements including some remote working, and opportunities for professional development and training.
We also provide access to the NHS Pension Scheme among other employee benefits.
*Due to the rural location of our office, it would be beneficial to have a full driving license but there are public transport links.
Job description Job responsibilities
Management accounts and financial reporting
Ownership of the monthly management accounts process closing the management accounts accurately within the agreed deadlines and producing a month-end pack including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flowPreparing and distributing the monthly financial reporting pack to the Finance Director, Senior management team (SMT) and the Board as appropriate, including variance analysis against budget, identifying any financial risksManaging the year-end process preparing the year-end trial balance, coordinating the statutory accounts with the external auditor and accountant to ensure accounts are filed within the required timeframe at Companies HouseMaintain accurate and up-to-date financial records in the accounting system, ensuring all transactions are properly coded, authorised, and recorded balance sheet management and reconciliationsTake responsibility for reviewing monthly balance sheet reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts ensuring that all balances are supported, explained, and free from errorsTaking overall responsibility for the fixed asset register maintaining accurate records of capital expenditure, depreciation, and disposals in line with the companys accounting policiesOverseeing the management of accruals, pre-payments, and that referrals are appropriately considered, recorded and justified with supporting evidence a calculation. ensuring that income and expenditure is recognised in the correct periodEnsuring that the balance sheet always presents a true and fair view of the companys financial position
Financial controls and compliance
Maintaining and improving the businesss system of financial controls including purchase order authorisation, expense approval, payment authorisation limits, and segregation of dutiesOverseeing financial compliance with NHS pensionsOverseeing purchase ledger and sales ledger operations ensuring supplier invoices are processed accurately, customer invoices are raised promptly, and the ledgers are properly managedResponsible for communications with HMRC, timely payments and correspondence where relevant,Overseeing PAYE and payroll processes liaising with the payroll provider or managing payroll directly, ensuring accurate submissions and PAYE payments to HMRCSupporting company accountants with queries required for end of year accounting and filingCoordinating the external audit process acting as the primary point of contact for the auditors by providing supporting schedules and documentation, and managing the audit to completion within the agreed timetable
Cash management and treasury
Managing the businesss cash position daily monitoring bank account balances, authorising payments, and ensuring the business always has adequate liquidityPreparing and maintaining monthly cash flow forecast for WKPC and the PCN accounts that WKPC managesManaging debtor collections overseeing the aged debtor ledger, chasing overdue receivables, and working with the sales team to resolve invoice disputesManaging creditor payments ensuring suppliers are paid within agreed terms, maintaining the aged creditor ledger, and managing any payment disputesOverseeing banking administration managing bank mandates, online banking access, and the relationship with the businesss bank at an operational level
Budgeting and forecasting support
Supporting the Finance Director/SMT in the annual budgeting process preparing budget templates and supporting the Finance Director/SMT with strategic financial planning to ensure ongoing sustainabilityPreparing reports for the AGMProducing monthly budget versus actual variance analysis and providing explanatory notes that support the Finance Directors/SMT board reportingMaintaining and updating the rolling cash flow forecast as actuals are posted and assumptions are revisedSupporting the production of financial models and forecasting analysis as required by the Finance Director
Contracts
Supporting Finance Director/SMT in the management of contracts with Commissioners and SuppliersEnsuring contracts are renewed/renegotiated prior to contract end datesRecommend sources of supply and identify saving opportunitiesObtain quotations for purchases and contractsMonitor all contracts and arrange contract review meetings to monitor suppliers and service managersDevelop contracts databaseMaintain full record of all contracts on databaseSupport procurement and business case development
Finance team management
Managing the day-to-day activities of the finance team and any junior finance staffReviewing the work of the finance team for accuracy and completeness before it is used for management reporting or external purposesSupporting the development and training of finance team members providing guidance, feedback, and mentoring to less experienced staffProviding 1:1 line management to the direct reports and lead on their annual appraisalManaging the finance teams workload and priorities across the month-end cycle, the year-end, and any ad hoc requirements
Systems and process improvement
Maintaining and improving the accounting software and financial systems ensuring they are configured correctly, updated, and used effectively by the finance teamIdentifying and implementing process improvements that improve efficiency, accuracy, and speed of the finance functions outputSupporting or leading system implementations and finance system upgrades where required
Financial Governance
Work collaboratively with PCNs, GP practices and NHS partners to ensure strong financial governance across the federation.Support compliance with NHS financial standards, contractual requirements, and internal controls.Provide accurate financial information and advice to enable joint decision-making and effective use of NHS resources.Maintain robust financial records, budgets, forecasts, and reports to support operational and strategic planning.Monitor, identify, and record financial risks, ensuring appropriate mitigation and escalation.Ensure all income and expenditure is properly authorised, recorded, and reconciled.Support audit activity, action planning, and improvements to financial processes and controls.Promote transparency, accountability, and value for money in the use of NHS funds.
Person Specification
Professional skills Essential
Excellent computer literacy skills including knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook Knowledge of at least one recognised accounting package Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written Excellent organisational skills Good interpersonal skills Enthusiasm to make things happen
Experience Essential
Post-qualification experience in a finance function, with demonstrable experience of managing a month-end close process Previous healthcare account management Ideally previous experience working in the NHS or another healthcare sector Management accounts production: Hands-on experience of closing management accounts monthly within agreed deadlines Balance sheet reconciliations: Rigorous approach to balance sheet management and proven experience of maintaining clean, well-supported balance sheets Financial controls: Experience of implementing and operating financial controls in a business of comparable size and complexity VAT and HMRC compliance: Direct experience of VAT return preparation and PAYE management Accounting software: Proficiency in at least one major accounting platform (Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, or similar) Excel: Strong Excel skills including pivot tables, and financial modelling basics Attention to detail: The Financial Controller role requires a high level of accuracy to avoid errors in management accounts or reconciliations which have downstream consequences for financial reporting and business decisions
Desirable
People management: Experience of managing or mentoring junior finance staff Experience in healthcare sector Experience of a statutory audit process either in practice (as an auditor) or in industry (managing the audit as the FC)
Qualifications Essential
Qualified accountant ACA, ACCA, or CIMA (or international equivalent).
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 West Kent Primary Care
Address Hospice In The Weald
Maidstone Road
Pembury
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN2 4TA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://westkentprimarycare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)