Job responsibilities
1. To support the finance team and operational Managers in provision of data
requests, reconciliations and reports in a timely manner, ensuring financial
information is processed in accordance with procedures and in order to provide
information for statutory returns.
2. Assist with the maintenance, input, updating and reconciliation of
computerised budgetary control systems. This involves developing spreadsheets
and databases for specific purposes and undertaking enquiries on several
financial based systems. The post requires using a computer on a daily basis
with speed and accuracy.
3. To deputise for finance colleagues at meetings etc. when required.
4. Assist in all aspects of supplying financial information to key
stakeholders including non-financial staff when requested. This will include
variance analysis, analysis of pay and non-pay, evaluating a range of options,
supporting business cases, directorate performance reporting etc. This will
involve providing and receiving complex and contentious information, some of
which may be sensitive.
5. Meet with relevant stakeholders on an on-going basis advising on the
current financial position. This may involve travel between different sites.
6. Working as a finance team, adopting a task-based approach to workload,
which will be co-ordinated by Senior Accountants and Accountants.
7. To ensure every process has an accurate procedure note that can be
interpreted by both finance and non-finance colleagues.
8. To provide guidance and interpretation of the Trusts Financial
Procedures, Scheme of Delegation, Standing Orders and Standing Financial
Instructions where necessary.
9. Manage own time and workload in accordance with monthly / annual and
ad-hoc timetables, ensuring all deadlines are met on a timely basis.
10. To deliver informal training to work colleagues and non-finance staff
on a range of subjects related to own area and a range of general procedures.
11. Contribute to the effectiveness of accounting systems, processes and
procedures and make recommendations to reduce costs and enhance value.
12. Undertake other duties as agreed with the Accountants, Senior
Accountants, Assistant Director of Finance.
13. Line management of Finance Assistants
(Bands 2, 3 or 4) where relevant.
14. To attend and contribute to both the wider finance team developments
such as attendance of away days, the annual Budget Holders Conference etc.
Separately, to contribute to non-finance communications such as the Budget
Holders Newsletter etc.
The role will have the following duties and responsibilities:
Communication & Working Relationships
- Advise managers on financial queries in connection with their performance
which may be contentious.
- Provide support primarily to the finance team which will involve working with all levels of staff across the
wider finance team.
- Respond appropriately to queries, investigating all areas of concern,
within an agreed timescale, thereby maintaining good working relationships.
- Deputise for the respective Accountant as appropriate.
- Discuss sensitive issues and communicate performance issues relating
to staff.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
- Analyse and interpret financial queries and analyse detailed data to
identify errors and discrepancies.
- Carry out complex financial calculations.
Planning & Organisational Skills
- Assist in the provision of financial support to managers in relation to
their core areas as set out above for each assistant accountant.
- Prepare, plan and monitor core areas of work within the annual planning
process. Carry out periodic reviews to
reflect current operational practice, in conjunction with respective
Accountants and managers.
- Assist in the production of the Trusts statutory accounts and of
routinely reconciled control accounts.
- Plan and manage own work within weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial
timetables.
Responsibility for
Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy
- The postholder will occasionally be required to answer queries from
patients/members of the public on general financial issues.
Responsibility for Policy / Service Development
- Analyse variances and interpret results. Work with respective Accountants in the
production of monthly financial reports with the aim of providing accurate
year-end projections.
- Support the respective Accountant / Senior Accountants in ensuring that
the Trusts financial procedures and policies are in place, communicated to
other staff and adhered to at all times.
- Undertake project work within the team (e.g. business cases, analysing
the cost implications of developments) whether to support the objective of
the Finance Department or the Directorates.
- Work with the finance team on corporate projects designed to improve
the efficiency of the Trust.
- Create and develop reports and documents, particularly financial
spreadsheets.
- Propose changes to working practices and procedures and implement
procedures set by others.
Responsibility for Financial and Physical
Resources
- Provide guidance to other members of the finance team as appropriate.
Responsibility for
Human Resources
- Allocate work and day to day management to Finance Assistants (Bands 2,
3 or 4), where required, including induction training for staff. Assist with recruitment, appraisal,
discipline, training and delegation of tasks where required.
Responsibility for Information Resources
- Input financial data into computerised and paper databases/systems.
- Create financial spreadsheets.
Responsibility for Research and Development
- On a continuous basis the post-holder is required to review, adapt and
contribute to the design of financial systems to enhance the performance of
the team and the Trust.
Freedom to Act
- Work within policies and procedures.
