Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a suitably
experienced and motivated Associate Care Group Accountant to join our
successful team, award winning Financial Management function at County Durham
and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
The role is a key part of our finance team providing
financial support and guidance to the organisation and supporting the financial
strategy of the department. We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who is
passionate about what they do in order to support delivering the best care for
patients.
In return we will offer you a warm and welcoming environment
where you will be fully supported.
We operate an agile working policy, whereby, the team are
based on site for a proportion of the week and have the option to work at home,
for 2 days per week, on a rota basis.
We are an ACCA approved employer, CIMA premier partner and a
Member of the AAT Employer Scheme.
Alongside this, department is One NHS Finance Future Focussed Finance
Level 2 accredited.
This role is positioned to enable excellent
developmental and career progression opportunities.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will work alongside the Care Group
Accountant, within a smaller team of 5 or 6 people, to provide a comprehensive
financial management and business advice service to Clinical Care Groups.
The role will support the Care Group Accountant, Associate
Director of Financial Management and Care Group budget managers to meet their
overall service and business objectives within the resources allocated to them
and to ensure corporate finance responsibilities are delivered.
To supervise, manage and motivate the financial management
team to ensure delivery of high quality and timely financial advice &
information.
To participate in the continuous improvement of the
financial management team.
In order to apply, you should be CCAB passed finalist or
have significant equivalent NHS financial management experience. You will have
excellent numerical and analytical skills and possess the ability to work
autonomously, achieve deadlines and prioritise workloads of yourself and the
team.
Significant experience in Microsoft Excel and a
good understanding of general ledger accounting software would be an advantage
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary, If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide
advice to the Care Group Managers, Care Group Accountant, Department Heads and
other staff in the Care Group, on the financial and economic implications of
management policy and action, suggesting and implementing financial policies
and procedures as required in line with the Trusts constitution, standing
financial instructions and scheme of delegation.
To
oversee the monthly reporting process and ensure relevant deadlines are met
including ensuring financial systems and processes are maintained to a high
standard e.g. procedure notes are in place and monitored on a regular basis
To work
alongside other Associate Care Group Accountants to review, develop and
maintain systems of reporting financial performance ensuring a culture of
continuous improvement exists at all levels in the department contributing to
increased productivity, quality and usefulness of financial & business
advice & information to divisional teams.
Day-to-day
management of the financial management team, taking a lead with their
appointment, development, training and education. This will involve carrying out annual
appraisals giving advice and guidance on their career development, other issues
including professional training.
To attend
regular meetings with Care Group staff as required, including deputising for
the Care Group Accountant.
To
regularly monitor, report and advise on the current & forecast financial
performance of the Care Group, challenging and influencing Care Group Managers
when required, to ensure the achievement of financial targets through the
development & implementation of agreed action plans.
To
provide financial support, during the Care Groups business planning and
contracting process. This will involve analysing and interpreting financial
data and making judgements on the financial and economic effects of
developments - both revenue, capital and advising on any potential efficiencies
and risks.
To lead
the Care Groups annual budget setting process, supporting the Care Group Accountant
in ensuring that Divisional plans and
objectives are achievable within resources allocated, including the
identification of necessary improvement in levels of efficiency and that these
are reflected in well-developed cost improvement action plans.
To
contribute to the development of the financial skills and business awareness of
clinical staff in order to maximise the potential for improvement in clinical
quality, operational efficiency & financial performance resulting from
decisions made at divisional level.
To
support the information requirements of key financial returns such as
completion of statutory returns, final accounts, Monitor plans and returns,
freedom of information requests, liaison with internal/external audit etc.
To provide
support to the Contracting and Development team in the annual costing
submission(s) and to effectively utilise and improve the trusts patient level
costing tool by supporting the care
group in identifying variation to explore efficiencies.
To
perform any other duties as may be delegated from time to time
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide
advice to the Care Group Managers, Care Group Accountant, Department Heads and
other staff in the Care Group, on the financial and economic implications of
management policy and action, suggesting and implementing financial policies
and procedures as required in line with the Trusts constitution, standing
financial instructions and scheme of delegation.
To
oversee the monthly reporting process and ensure relevant deadlines are met
including ensuring financial systems and processes are maintained to a high
standard e.g. procedure notes are in place and monitored on a regular basis
To work
alongside other Associate Care Group Accountants to review, develop and
maintain systems of reporting financial performance ensuring a culture of
continuous improvement exists at all levels in the department contributing to
increased productivity, quality and usefulness of financial & business
advice & information to divisional teams.
Day-to-day
management of the financial management team, taking a lead with their
appointment, development, training and education. This will involve carrying out annual
appraisals giving advice and guidance on their career development, other issues
including professional training.
To attend
regular meetings with Care Group staff as required, including deputising for
the Care Group Accountant.
To
regularly monitor, report and advise on the current & forecast financial
performance of the Care Group, challenging and influencing Care Group Managers
when required, to ensure the achievement of financial targets through the
development & implementation of agreed action plans.
To
provide financial support, during the Care Groups business planning and
contracting process. This will involve analysing and interpreting financial
data and making judgements on the financial and economic effects of
developments - both revenue, capital and advising on any potential efficiencies
and risks.
To lead
the Care Groups annual budget setting process, supporting the Care Group Accountant
in ensuring that Divisional plans and
objectives are achievable within resources allocated, including the
identification of necessary improvement in levels of efficiency and that these
are reflected in well-developed cost improvement action plans.
To
contribute to the development of the financial skills and business awareness of
clinical staff in order to maximise the potential for improvement in clinical
quality, operational efficiency & financial performance resulting from
decisions made at divisional level.
To
support the information requirements of key financial returns such as
completion of statutory returns, final accounts, Monitor plans and returns,
freedom of information requests, liaison with internal/external audit etc.
To provide
support to the Contracting and Development team in the annual costing
submission(s) and to effectively utilise and improve the trusts patient level
costing tool by supporting the care
group in identifying variation to explore efficiencies.
To
perform any other duties as may be delegated from time to time
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a finance function
- Experience of using computerised finance systems; General Ledger & report writing software.
- Experience of Microsoft Office software applications
- Experience in advising finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
- Knowledge, experience and expertise in finance management and staff management.
Desirable
- Exposure to working mid- management level
- Experience of working within NHS finance
- Good understanding of the performance management and financial framework within the NHS.
- Experience/Knowledge of the NHS Financial regime, including capital accounting, the payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
- Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
- Experience of using Oracle General Ledger and Discoverer
Qualifications
Essential
- CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist or significant equivalent NHS Financial Management Experience
Desirable
- CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist.
- Clear Plan of working towards CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or evidence of continued professional development
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Communication & Relationship Skills
- Able to advise finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
-
- The ability to advise, influence and negotiate with staff at all levels within and outside the Trust. This will include the presentation of complex financial and non financial information to non financial managers, occasionally in large groups.
- Understands, and can effectively convey current financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
- Analytical & Judgement Skills
- Ability to produce and analyse business cases, including the development and appraisal of options, to optimise the allocation of resources.
- Planning & Organisation Skills
- Ability to plan and manage the workload of own team, to ensure workload is delivered to a high quality within deadlines.
- Governance and Risk Management
- Advises others on compliance with the Corporate Governance Manual (e.g. Standing Financial Instructions, Scheme of Delegation, Standing Orders) and applies the principes of accountability, transparency, integrity and the public good to all activitied eithin own area
- Supervises others in their compliance with financial policies and procedures
- Support and promotes strong financial management culture and develops finance skills and knowledge of governance issues
- Customer Focused Business Advice
- Has a wider awareness of the organisation and its position in the marketplace and uses this to challende processes and data in order to make improvements.
- Supports in the generation and interpretation of financial information to assist the Care Group understand itself more fully
- Identifies and implements opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services provided within own role/team and finance department as a whole.
- Using Information Technology
- Uses IT to gather, interpret and manipulate information to meet the needs of the Care Group
- Mental & Physical Attributes
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to cope with rapid and sustained change
- Capable of working independently
- Able to work under pressure and deliver high quality work within challenging deadlines
- Interpersonal Skills
- Clear and effective communication and presentation skills.
- Good people management skills team working, motivation & delegation.
- Good influencing, analytical and negotiation skills
- Good written communication skills
Desirable
- Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
- Experience/knowledge of the NHS financial regime, including capital accounting, payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
- Experience of Oracle general ledger and Microsoft Office
Special Requirements
Essential
- A commitment to the continuous development of the finance department to be innovative and to constantly seek new ways of working / improving performance.
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of this post
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a finance function
- Experience of using computerised finance systems; General Ledger & report writing software.
- Experience of Microsoft Office software applications
- Experience in advising finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
- Knowledge, experience and expertise in finance management and staff management.
Desirable
- Exposure to working mid- management level
- Experience of working within NHS finance
- Good understanding of the performance management and financial framework within the NHS.
- Experience/Knowledge of the NHS Financial regime, including capital accounting, the payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
- Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
- Experience of using Oracle General Ledger and Discoverer
Qualifications
Essential
- CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist or significant equivalent NHS Financial Management Experience
Desirable
- CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or passed finalist.
- Clear Plan of working towards CCAB Professional Accountancy Qualification or evidence of continued professional development
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Communication & Relationship Skills
- Able to advise finance and non finance managers on matters relating to their own area, providing detailed advice and guidance;
-
- The ability to advise, influence and negotiate with staff at all levels within and outside the Trust. This will include the presentation of complex financial and non financial information to non financial managers, occasionally in large groups.
- Understands, and can effectively convey current financial concepts clearly and persuasively.
- Analytical & Judgement Skills
- Ability to produce and analyse business cases, including the development and appraisal of options, to optimise the allocation of resources.
- Planning & Organisation Skills
- Ability to plan and manage the workload of own team, to ensure workload is delivered to a high quality within deadlines.
- Governance and Risk Management
- Advises others on compliance with the Corporate Governance Manual (e.g. Standing Financial Instructions, Scheme of Delegation, Standing Orders) and applies the principes of accountability, transparency, integrity and the public good to all activitied eithin own area
- Supervises others in their compliance with financial policies and procedures
- Support and promotes strong financial management culture and develops finance skills and knowledge of governance issues
- Customer Focused Business Advice
- Has a wider awareness of the organisation and its position in the marketplace and uses this to challende processes and data in order to make improvements.
- Supports in the generation and interpretation of financial information to assist the Care Group understand itself more fully
- Identifies and implements opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services provided within own role/team and finance department as a whole.
- Using Information Technology
- Uses IT to gather, interpret and manipulate information to meet the needs of the Care Group
- Mental & Physical Attributes
- Excellent organisational skills
- Ability to cope with rapid and sustained change
- Capable of working independently
- Able to work under pressure and deliver high quality work within challenging deadlines
- Interpersonal Skills
- Clear and effective communication and presentation skills.
- Good people management skills team working, motivation & delegation.
- Good influencing, analytical and negotiation skills
- Good written communication skills
Desirable
- Knowledge / experience of recruitment, appraisal, delegation, training, staff discipline and relevant HR policies and procedures
- Experience/knowledge of the NHS financial regime, including capital accounting, payment by results process, costing and information processes within the NHS.
- Experience of Oracle general ledger and Microsoft Office
Special Requirements
Essential
- A commitment to the continuous development of the finance department to be innovative and to constantly seek new ways of working / improving performance.
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of this post
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
