Assistant Director of Finance - Financial Accounting (XN11)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Expected Shortlisting Date:

16/12/2024

Planned Interview Date:

20/12/2024

We are seeking to appoint to the key leadership role of Assistant Director of Finance - Financial & Capital Accounting. Reporting into the Associate Director of Finance, the postholder will provide strategic financial and capital accounting support to the organisation; including being the finance lead for a number of significant business cases and projects within Leeds and across West Yorkshire.

We are looking for a highly skilled and ambitious individual, who can lead by example in terms of promoting and upholding the Leeds Way values and will continue to drive a culture of continuous improvement within the Directorate consistent with the Leeds Improvement Method.

This would be an excellent role for an aspirant Deputy Director of Finance to work within a high performing function and Trust. We welcome applicants from all sectors with the relevant skills and experience to meet the remit of the role however, knowledge of NHS finances would be considered highly desirable. Most importantly, you will be an individual who operates with passion and integrity, demonstrates an inclusive and collaborative leadership style and upholds values which are aligned to those of our Trust.

We would particularly encourage applications from women and those from a BAME background to improve the diversity of the senior management team.

Main duties of the job

Leading, planning and preparing the Trusts Annual Accounts and monthly reporting, covering the Trusts Balance Sheet, capital investment and working capital position.Managing forecasting and overseeing the Trust's treasury position, ensuring cash solvency is maintained and ensuring that statutory targets are achieved.To act as lead on Financial Reporting by the Trust by managing, advising and developing Financial Reporting to meet the requirements of key stakeholders both internally and external to the organisation.

This key leadership role provides professional financial support and expert advice with respect to all financial accounting, capital accounting and Treasury matters. The postholder is required to keep updated with any changes in financial legislation, accounting standards and NHS finance regulations and interpreting new and often complex guidance so they can ensure that the Trust complies and advising senior colleagues of the changes and their implications, including but not limited to Board members.

Responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures in respect of financial and capital accounting, cashiering and treasury management,having interpreted national guidance to ensure the formal accounting policies of the Trust are compliant. In addition to produce an effective cash management operating framework.

To deputise for the Associate Director of Finance-Financial Services both internally and externally as required.

About us

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) is one of the largest and busiest acute hospital trusts in the country currently rated Good by the CQC. Every year, LTHT provides healthcare and specialist services for people from the city of Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber and beyond. We also play an important role in the training and education of medical, nursing and dental students and are a centre of world-class research and pioneering new treatments.

Our vision is to be the best for specialist and integrated care. Our staff helped to define the values and behaviours that we should work to so that we can achieve this vision. This has become known as The Leeds Way, and forms the foundation of our culture, our ethos and how we work every day. These values are

We are patient-centred;

We are fair;

We are collaborative;

We are accountable;

We are empowered.

Our Trust has a strong track record of financial performance.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Date posted

25 November 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£88,168 to £101,677 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-FIN-0125

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Job description

Job responsibilities

a) To provide leadership and direction to the Financial Accounting, Capital Accounting, Cashiers and Treasury functions, having responsibility for all staffing issues including recruitment, appraisals, training and development, professional development and discipline. Advising, supporting and developing staff to ensure that they are proficient in undertaking their duties;

b) To provide leadership for Finance the Leeds Way and the Leeds Improvement Method, promoting and championing their use across the functions. To lead and promote staff engagement and continuous improvement to fulfil changing objectives and service improvements and to lead and champion national initiatives such as One NHS Finance across the functions and wider directorate.

d) To work with the Director of Finance and Associate Director Financial Services and other senior managers to ensure that the desired culture and ways of working are fostered throughout the department, in particular a culture of openness and involvement of staff.

To lead, plan and manage the production of the Trusts annual accounts and year end closedown. This will include:

e) To be responsible for planning, managing and reviewing the year end closedown process,

f) Devising and agreeing timetables appropriate to meet local and national deadlines,

g) Producing guidance notes for use within the department and across CSUs in areas such as stock-taking

h) Producing technical updates and holding workshops for staff and leading and advising staff throughout the finance function and external to finance of their roles and responsibilities in the closedown process.

i) Day to day management of the year end accounts closedown process

j) To be responsible for the financial content of the Trusts Annual Report and provide quality review of the draft annual report in conjunction with the Communications Department and Board Secretariat

k) To be responsible for the day to day management of the audit relationships (external and internal), ensuring auditors requests are met and queries resolved or referred to appropriate staff on a timely basis and in a professional manner

l) To act as lead on Financial Reporting for the Trust, both internally and externally, managing, advising and developing financial reporting to meet the requirements of key stakeholders and remaining compliant with ever- changing national, international and local requirements and regulations

m) To manage the monthly financial and capital accounting reporting cycle, ensuring production of the monthly balance sheet, cash flow statement, capital reports and trial balance and ensuring that all key control accounts have been fully reconciled and properly reviewed. Undertaking an analytical review of the balance sheet and reporting and annotating any major variances to senior colleagues.

n) To provide advice, guidance and where appropriate, written procedures, to colleagues on all aspects of financial accounting, capital accounting and reporting and treasury management. Act as the Trust expert and advisor on technical accounting and regulatory matters. This will involve ensuring that colleagues across the Trust, up to and including Board directors, are fully briefed on their roles and responsibilities in respect of such matters.

o) To develop and produce financial forecasts for capital expenditure, cash and balance sheet and develop scenario models to form an integral part of quarterly Fundamental Review of the Trusts financial position by the Director of Finance for reporting to the Trust Board

p) To develop and produce both short and longer term (5 years) financial plans for capital, cash and balance sheet and developing scenario models as an integral part of the overall Trust financial plans on behalf of the Director of Finance for reporting to the Trust Board.

q) Provide appropriate levels of constructive challenge to plans and assumptions ensuring they are robust

r) To ensure that the capital, cash and balance sheet forecasts and plans are consistent with overall Trust financial strategy including its capital programme, revenue strategy and workforce and estate and estate strategies. Ensuring that the capital, cash and balance sheet forecasts and plans are also aligned and consistent with strategies and plans across the local healthcare system.

s) To be responsible for the completion of all balance sheet, capital and cash aspects of the NHSE annual planning return and for providing quality review of the overall return prior to sign off and submission.

t) Attend and provide leadership with financial input/technical advice to the Building Development Committee and Capital Planning Group. attend other Board Committees as required

u) Liaise with and support the work of the Trusts Capital Programme leads (Building & Engineering, Medical Equipment, IT). Ensure they receive technical advice relevant to the NHS capital regime, are supported in their financial planning, forecasting, monitoring and reporting of expenditure.

v) Provide specialist financial input into capital business cases ensuring they meet both internal and external criteria as described in the 5 case model.

w) Lead on the provision of advice regarding accounting for the Trusts two PFI schemes. Provide financial input to any re-financing or contract variation projects associated with the schemes

x) Liaise closely with colleagues in Estates and the Trusts independent valuer to ensure the accuracy of valuations for accounting purposes

y) Lead on all aspects of statutory accounting/reporting relevant to capital, PFI and leases. Work closely with senior colleagues in Finance to ensure all reports and returns are completed to a high standard and submitted within deadlines

z) Ensure the Trust is correctly monitoring and reporting its position against its CRL limit and work with Programme leads to take corrective action where necessary

i) To monitor and manage the Trusts cash flow planning and forecasting and day to day treasury management and cash flow monitoring to ensure that the Trust maintains solvency and meets its statutory EFL and CRL targets. As a member of the Senior Finance Team, contribute to the planning and management of the Trusts working capital position.

ii) To ensure that the Trusts bank accounts are operated efficiently and within Department of Health regulations and maximising the opportunities for investment income whilst ensuring that any exposure to risk is identified, minimised and effectively managed.

iii) To review, interpret and advise the Director of Finance and senior management on taxation matters including the strategic impact upon the Trust of any potential changes in taxation legislation or regulations. Produce written reports as necessary to disseminate the impact of tax changes.

iv) To engage and liaise with the Trusts professional tax advisors as appropriate on regulatory issues, for advisory purposes and to support financial planning, tax saving initiatives and tax compliance.

v) To develop policies that are adopted by the Trust as formal accounting policies. Ensuring that these policies are regularly reviewed and updated to remain compliant with Department of Health national policy and direction and appropriate to the Trusts strategic direction.

vi) To ensure that within the available resources, the Financial Accounting, Capital Accounting, cashiers and Treasury functions clearly add value to the Trust maintaining a high quality and efficient service, high professional standards and a focus on continual improvement. This will involve reviewing the performance of the functions in conjunction with stakeholders throughout the Trust and developing future strategies for improvement

vii) As directed by the Associate Director Financial Services, providing the senior finance lead on the development of specific projects, or implementation of new systems or acting as the lead contact for other functions both internal and external to the Trust

dd) To represent the Trust on the Regional Provider Trusts Financial Accounting forum, working with colleagues to discuss and share best practices and to interpret latest technical guidance and emerging issues.

ee) To represent the Trust regionally and nationally at Capital Accounting forums including dealing with NHSEs capital and cash team colleagues.

ff) To engage with colleagues at local, regional and national levels to build networks of relationships. Promote the activities of the Trust where possible and seek to influence wider policy and decision making.

gg) To contribute to national agendas acting as the Trust representative on national working groups, submitting feedback as requested in respect of national initiatives, inputting into the development of national guidance and influencing the direction of travel. This will include the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and NEP Shared Systems consortium

a) To manage the budget of £1.1m (2024/25) for the financial accounting, capital accounting, treasury and cashiers functions, ensuring compliance with all Trust policies and procedures on expenditure control

b) To act with delegated authority to approve expenditure, authorise payments, investments and borrowings, cash movements and other transactions of a material nature.

c) To be an authorised signatory on the Trusts bank mandate and Dept of Health and Social Cares Public dividend capital signatory list.

d) To make judgements of the funding levels to be made available for supplier payment runs

i) The post holder will provide effective leadership for the financial accounting, capital accounting, treasury and cashiers teams and is expected to demonstrate this this by example in observing The Leeds Way and upholding our Trusts values.

Job description

Job responsibilities

a) To provide leadership and direction to the Financial Accounting, Capital Accounting, Cashiers and Treasury functions, having responsibility for all staffing issues including recruitment, appraisals, training and development, professional development and discipline. Advising, supporting and developing staff to ensure that they are proficient in undertaking their duties;

b) To provide leadership for Finance the Leeds Way and the Leeds Improvement Method, promoting and championing their use across the functions. To lead and promote staff engagement and continuous improvement to fulfil changing objectives and service improvements and to lead and champion national initiatives such as One NHS Finance across the functions and wider directorate.

d) To work with the Director of Finance and Associate Director Financial Services and other senior managers to ensure that the desired culture and ways of working are fostered throughout the department, in particular a culture of openness and involvement of staff.

To lead, plan and manage the production of the Trusts annual accounts and year end closedown. This will include:

e) To be responsible for planning, managing and reviewing the year end closedown process,

f) Devising and agreeing timetables appropriate to meet local and national deadlines,

g) Producing guidance notes for use within the department and across CSUs in areas such as stock-taking

h) Producing technical updates and holding workshops for staff and leading and advising staff throughout the finance function and external to finance of their roles and responsibilities in the closedown process.

i) Day to day management of the year end accounts closedown process

j) To be responsible for the financial content of the Trusts Annual Report and provide quality review of the draft annual report in conjunction with the Communications Department and Board Secretariat

k) To be responsible for the day to day management of the audit relationships (external and internal), ensuring auditors requests are met and queries resolved or referred to appropriate staff on a timely basis and in a professional manner

l) To act as lead on Financial Reporting for the Trust, both internally and externally, managing, advising and developing financial reporting to meet the requirements of key stakeholders and remaining compliant with ever- changing national, international and local requirements and regulations

m) To manage the monthly financial and capital accounting reporting cycle, ensuring production of the monthly balance sheet, cash flow statement, capital reports and trial balance and ensuring that all key control accounts have been fully reconciled and properly reviewed. Undertaking an analytical review of the balance sheet and reporting and annotating any major variances to senior colleagues.

n) To provide advice, guidance and where appropriate, written procedures, to colleagues on all aspects of financial accounting, capital accounting and reporting and treasury management. Act as the Trust expert and advisor on technical accounting and regulatory matters. This will involve ensuring that colleagues across the Trust, up to and including Board directors, are fully briefed on their roles and responsibilities in respect of such matters.

o) To develop and produce financial forecasts for capital expenditure, cash and balance sheet and develop scenario models to form an integral part of quarterly Fundamental Review of the Trusts financial position by the Director of Finance for reporting to the Trust Board

p) To develop and produce both short and longer term (5 years) financial plans for capital, cash and balance sheet and developing scenario models as an integral part of the overall Trust financial plans on behalf of the Director of Finance for reporting to the Trust Board.

q) Provide appropriate levels of constructive challenge to plans and assumptions ensuring they are robust

r) To ensure that the capital, cash and balance sheet forecasts and plans are consistent with overall Trust financial strategy including its capital programme, revenue strategy and workforce and estate and estate strategies. Ensuring that the capital, cash and balance sheet forecasts and plans are also aligned and consistent with strategies and plans across the local healthcare system.

s) To be responsible for the completion of all balance sheet, capital and cash aspects of the NHSE annual planning return and for providing quality review of the overall return prior to sign off and submission.

t) Attend and provide leadership with financial input/technical advice to the Building Development Committee and Capital Planning Group. attend other Board Committees as required

u) Liaise with and support the work of the Trusts Capital Programme leads (Building & Engineering, Medical Equipment, IT). Ensure they receive technical advice relevant to the NHS capital regime, are supported in their financial planning, forecasting, monitoring and reporting of expenditure.

v) Provide specialist financial input into capital business cases ensuring they meet both internal and external criteria as described in the 5 case model.

w) Lead on the provision of advice regarding accounting for the Trusts two PFI schemes. Provide financial input to any re-financing or contract variation projects associated with the schemes

x) Liaise closely with colleagues in Estates and the Trusts independent valuer to ensure the accuracy of valuations for accounting purposes

y) Lead on all aspects of statutory accounting/reporting relevant to capital, PFI and leases. Work closely with senior colleagues in Finance to ensure all reports and returns are completed to a high standard and submitted within deadlines

z) Ensure the Trust is correctly monitoring and reporting its position against its CRL limit and work with Programme leads to take corrective action where necessary

i) To monitor and manage the Trusts cash flow planning and forecasting and day to day treasury management and cash flow monitoring to ensure that the Trust maintains solvency and meets its statutory EFL and CRL targets. As a member of the Senior Finance Team, contribute to the planning and management of the Trusts working capital position.

ii) To ensure that the Trusts bank accounts are operated efficiently and within Department of Health regulations and maximising the opportunities for investment income whilst ensuring that any exposure to risk is identified, minimised and effectively managed.

iii) To review, interpret and advise the Director of Finance and senior management on taxation matters including the strategic impact upon the Trust of any potential changes in taxation legislation or regulations. Produce written reports as necessary to disseminate the impact of tax changes.

iv) To engage and liaise with the Trusts professional tax advisors as appropriate on regulatory issues, for advisory purposes and to support financial planning, tax saving initiatives and tax compliance.

v) To develop policies that are adopted by the Trust as formal accounting policies. Ensuring that these policies are regularly reviewed and updated to remain compliant with Department of Health national policy and direction and appropriate to the Trusts strategic direction.

vi) To ensure that within the available resources, the Financial Accounting, Capital Accounting, cashiers and Treasury functions clearly add value to the Trust maintaining a high quality and efficient service, high professional standards and a focus on continual improvement. This will involve reviewing the performance of the functions in conjunction with stakeholders throughout the Trust and developing future strategies for improvement

vii) As directed by the Associate Director Financial Services, providing the senior finance lead on the development of specific projects, or implementation of new systems or acting as the lead contact for other functions both internal and external to the Trust

dd) To represent the Trust on the Regional Provider Trusts Financial Accounting forum, working with colleagues to discuss and share best practices and to interpret latest technical guidance and emerging issues.

ee) To represent the Trust regionally and nationally at Capital Accounting forums including dealing with NHSEs capital and cash team colleagues.

ff) To engage with colleagues at local, regional and national levels to build networks of relationships. Promote the activities of the Trust where possible and seek to influence wider policy and decision making.

gg) To contribute to national agendas acting as the Trust representative on national working groups, submitting feedback as requested in respect of national initiatives, inputting into the development of national guidance and influencing the direction of travel. This will include the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) and NEP Shared Systems consortium

a) To manage the budget of £1.1m (2024/25) for the financial accounting, capital accounting, treasury and cashiers functions, ensuring compliance with all Trust policies and procedures on expenditure control

b) To act with delegated authority to approve expenditure, authorise payments, investments and borrowings, cash movements and other transactions of a material nature.

c) To be an authorised signatory on the Trusts bank mandate and Dept of Health and Social Cares Public dividend capital signatory list.

d) To make judgements of the funding levels to be made available for supplier payment runs

i) The post holder will provide effective leadership for the financial accounting, capital accounting, treasury and cashiers teams and is expected to demonstrate this this by example in observing The Leeds Way and upholding our Trusts values.

Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

  • Demonstration of responsibility for resources such as the security of financial information such as payroll information, the safe handling of cheques and holder of the safe keys
  • A confident, pleasant approach, willing to develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues at all levels and from a variety of professional backgrounds.
  • Ability to stand up for a personal point of view, even against articulate and powerful opposition within and outside of the organisation demonstrating integrity in the face of challenge
  • Reviews own and teams performance, assessing own strengths and weaknesses, taking corrective action and identifying areas for personal development and service improvement.
  • Ability to analyse, interpret and present highly complex information, considering a number of options, highlighting errors and discrepancies and performing any necessary financial calculations

Desirable

  • Ability to undertake research and development activities in areas specific to the post and to present the findings to colleagues such as latest developments in accounting regulations or NHS specific financial issues

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive relevant post qualification experience gained within a senior finance role and with experience of managing staff.
  • Extensive experience in providing impartial financial advice and information to multi- disciplinary management teams, covering financial accounting, capital or treasury issues.
  • Ability to lead and build teams, coaching and motivating staff both finance and non-finance as regards to their financial responsibilities delivering overall organisational strategy and objectives
  • Ability to take responsibility for both own workload and overseeing that of others, planning ahead and taking into account known requirements
  • Ability to take a strategic perspective and make decisions which are in the best interest of the whole department, not just their individual functions
  • Specialist knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS with the ability to interpret and decide their applicability to the Trusts financial statements and ensure their proper implementation
  • Specific knowledge and experience of capital accounting and capital planning including input to and evaluation of business cases

Desirable

  • Ability to demonstrate in depth knowledge of accounting concepts, conventions, policies and procedures and the requirements of the NHS financial and Capital accounting regimes and the legislative fram
  • Knowledge of and experience in using a variety of human resource management techniques to lead, develop and maximise the performance of subordinate staff

Other Criteria

Essential

  • Has a robust personal coping strategy for dealing with colleagues not accepting of or hostile to the requirements of good corporate governance and the need to meet statutory financial requirements
  • Proven project management skills including the ability to formulate plans, organise, schedule and timetable tasks, monitor and review progress against those plans, to communicate effectively and take
  • Proactive approach with the ability and commercial acumen to identify opportunities for business development or service improvement and have these accepted

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level.
  • Full CCAB Qualification.
  • Highly developed specialist knowledge in financial accounting acquired through full CCAB/CIMA professional accountancy qualification with extensive relevant post qualification experience

Desirable

  • On-going CPD to maintain qualification and knowledge of wider NHS environment.
Person Specification

Skills & behaviours

Essential

  • Demonstration of responsibility for resources such as the security of financial information such as payroll information, the safe handling of cheques and holder of the safe keys
  • A confident, pleasant approach, willing to develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues at all levels and from a variety of professional backgrounds.
  • Ability to stand up for a personal point of view, even against articulate and powerful opposition within and outside of the organisation demonstrating integrity in the face of challenge
  • Reviews own and teams performance, assessing own strengths and weaknesses, taking corrective action and identifying areas for personal development and service improvement.
  • Ability to analyse, interpret and present highly complex information, considering a number of options, highlighting errors and discrepancies and performing any necessary financial calculations

Desirable

  • Ability to undertake research and development activities in areas specific to the post and to present the findings to colleagues such as latest developments in accounting regulations or NHS specific financial issues

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive relevant post qualification experience gained within a senior finance role and with experience of managing staff.
  • Extensive experience in providing impartial financial advice and information to multi- disciplinary management teams, covering financial accounting, capital or treasury issues.
  • Ability to lead and build teams, coaching and motivating staff both finance and non-finance as regards to their financial responsibilities delivering overall organisational strategy and objectives
  • Ability to take responsibility for both own workload and overseeing that of others, planning ahead and taking into account known requirements
  • Ability to take a strategic perspective and make decisions which are in the best interest of the whole department, not just their individual functions
  • Specialist knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS with the ability to interpret and decide their applicability to the Trusts financial statements and ensure their proper implementation
  • Specific knowledge and experience of capital accounting and capital planning including input to and evaluation of business cases

Desirable

  • Ability to demonstrate in depth knowledge of accounting concepts, conventions, policies and procedures and the requirements of the NHS financial and Capital accounting regimes and the legislative fram
  • Knowledge of and experience in using a variety of human resource management techniques to lead, develop and maximise the performance of subordinate staff

Other Criteria

Essential

  • Has a robust personal coping strategy for dealing with colleagues not accepting of or hostile to the requirements of good corporate governance and the need to meet statutory financial requirements
  • Proven project management skills including the ability to formulate plans, organise, schedule and timetable tasks, monitor and review progress against those plans, to communicate effectively and take
  • Proactive approach with the ability and commercial acumen to identify opportunities for business development or service improvement and have these accepted

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level.
  • Full CCAB Qualification.
  • Highly developed specialist knowledge in financial accounting acquired through full CCAB/CIMA professional accountancy qualification with extensive relevant post qualification experience

Desirable

  • On-going CPD to maintain qualification and knowledge of wider NHS environment.

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

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Director of Finance

Martin Campbell Smith

martin.campbellsmith@nhs.net

Date posted

25 November 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£88,168 to £101,677 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-FIN-0125

Job locations

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF


Supporting documents

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