Senior Finance Manager - Planning & Analysis

Job responsibilities

Financial Planning and Analysis

1. Working with the Directorate Financial Management and Financial Accountancy Teams collating data for all long-term financial modelling for the Trust, both for the annual planning process and financial reporting, ensuring consistent format of reporting and clear audit trail of data.

1. Interpret detailed Directorate commentaries, at an Organisational level, for any variances between the budget and forecast submissions and actual financial performance, both for annual planning and monthly financial reporting and analysis.

1. To provide professional leadership and management of the costing team, supporting the Costing Accountant in the roll out of integrated Service Line Reporting (iSLR) and Patient Level Information and Costing System (PLICS).

1. To work closely with finance colleagues in the preparation of business cases - ensuring that the costs, benefits, income and expenditure of such schemes are fully understood from an organisational perspective to ensure financial sustainability; and to monitor Business cases through the governance process and ensure that the appropriate timetable of finance responsibilities is in place.

1. To maintain and ensure that all Trust financial control procedures including Standing Orders (SOs) and Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) are adhered to.

1. To work with the Trusts Head of Contracting and Tender Management to understand the relationship between patient activity data, other key performance indicators; and the financial performance of respective areas, to anticipate trends and identify weaknesses in modelling assumptions, and to establish any implications on corporate support services and service funding streams.

1. In conjunction with Finance and wider Trust colleagues carry out post implementation reviews once a business case has been approved and implemented, to measure performance against the approved benefits realisation plan.

1. To support Finance colleagues in the negotiation process of external service agreements, and provide financial analysis to underpin these agreements.

1. To continually develop an understanding of the Trusts overhead position and devise the appropriate resource allocation principles for costing and budget setting purposes.

1. To develop the use of the Integra Budget and Forecasting module for use across the department.

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Strategic Planning

1. In conjunction with Finance colleagues, co-ordinate analysis of potential Trust-wide savings programs that are realistic, achievable and have ownership.

1. To develop strong relationships with finance colleagues and senior managers, developing a culture of shared responsibility for financial issues.

1. To provide advice and education on business management issues to improve the financial awareness, performance, cost effectiveness and efficiency, revenue generation and to maximise the use of Trust assets.

1. To take a strategic view on budget proposals across the organisation; advising on the validity/affordability of plans, ensuring the organisation spends within agreed budget limits and that value for money is secured in the long term.

1. To provide analysis and insight into the information held on the Model Hospital Portal and benchmarking results to identify service development and efficiency opportunities for the Trust.

1. To provide analysis and insight on financial performance for internal discussions/decision making and for external and statutory purposes.

1. To lead investment appraisal and highly complex financial analysis of Trust development proposals and business cases which involve other organisations, commercial joint ventures and partnerships and specialist commissioners.

1. To have an awareness of sector wide developments and advise on the potential impact on the Trusts performance.

1. To co-ordinate the annual planning timetable in conjunction with finance colleagues and the Strategy and Planning team.

1. Contribute to the development of Trust Wide Integrated Business Planning process in conjunction with Teams across the Trust.

Performance and Decision Support

1. To manage the provision of comprehensive, timely and accurate financial management information, including written analysis of Trust opportunities and efficiencies.

1. To monitor and improve the processes for financial reporting, ensuring internal and external requirements are achieved with respect to Trust performance initiatives.

1. To ensure that analysis and financial reporting of progress towards cost improvement plans are in place to support the financial aspects of programs and schemes.

1. To have an awareness of sector wide developments and advise on the potential impact on the Trusts performance.

Service development

1. To recruit, train & develop line managed team members in order that they can competently undertake the responsibilities and tasks required of them and that the financial information and advice supplied is provided in an accurate, relevant and timely manner

1. To provide education and training on complex financial issues to non-finance managers and convey financial concepts, policies and procedures clearly and persuasively. This includes ensuring that Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders and Schemes of Delegation are understood and adhered to.

1. As a professionally qualified accountant, fulfil mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements of the relevant professional body and be responsible for keeping the skills and knowledge required for the post up to date such that all advice given and decisions made are based on the best and most recent information available.

Training and Qualifications

Essential

• oCCAB/CIMA qualified accountant

Desirable

• oHonours degree or equivalent
• oMBA or equivalent

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• oExcellent IT skills, particularly Excel
• oAbility to work proactively with the capability to manage and deliver on a variety of deadlines for self and team
• oCapable of individual initiative and team working
• oEffective team player with the ability to think proactively and develop approaches for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the team
• oAbility to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications
• oStrong analytical and problem solving skills with the ability to manipulate and interpret financial data
• oAbility to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities
• oAbility to gain trust, confidence and respect amongst colleagues
• oDemonstrable enthusiasm, creativity, and drive

Desirable

• oCommunicating with staff at all levels of the organisation.
• oExperience of working in broader cross departmental teams
• oWillingness and ability to facilitate and encourage development and change at all levels within the Trust and within the Finance Department

Experience

Essential

• oSubstantial experience of working in an accountancy environment, with sound knowledge of relevant accounting systems, policies, legislation and quality standards either within an NHS Trust or another large complex organisation.
• oExperience of managing, motivating and developing the skills of a diverse team
• oExperience of reviewing individual and team progress and performance
• oExperience of developing, managing, and monitoring of complex financial models
• oSubstantial skills and experience in setting standards of financial performance, financial planning, forecasting, budget monitoring and control

Desirable

• oExperience of undertaking project work from inception to delivery of outcomes
• oSpecialist in depth knowledge of current costing and cost comparison systems and processes either within a large NHS Trust or another large complex organisation.
• oAn understanding of NHS funding and payment regimes (including Payment by Results) and a knowledge and understanding of Service Line Reporting systems and developments within the NHS
• oKnowledge and experience of NHS Service Line Reporting/Patient Level Costing & Reference Cost Systems.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• oStrong leadership and interpersonal skills with a real interest in developing people
• oExcellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including report writing and delivering presentations.
• oA focus on the importance of the delivery of superb customer service
• oAbility to motivate high performance in others
• oAn innovative and strategic thinker
• oApproachable and personable
• oConfident with a willingness to challenge and be challenged
• oA high standard of persuasion and influencing skills with the ability to remain impartial and objective

Experience

Desirable

• oExperience of adapting own skills to new circumstances

Other

Essential

• oEvidence of up-to-date mandatory CPD.
• oFlexibility in relation to working hours, particularly to achieve deadlines, e.g. in relation to production of annual accounts and other statutory returns.

Desirable

• oCar Driver

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).