Job summary
The Finance Directorate of the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board has an opportunity for an experienced and motivated individual to join the team as Accounting to Reporting Finance Lead within the Financial Accounting Team.
The post holder will have a Professional Accountancy Qualification or postgraduate diploma level within a finance environment or with equivalent experience at a management level in a in a complex multi-professional organisation.
The post holder will have experience of annual accounts and financial services functions. The role will be integral in the delivery of the statutory annual accounts and audit, working closely with colleagues to produce the financial accounts and respond to audit queries in a timely manner. The role will also support the monthly reporting of the ICB's running cost budgets.
The post holder will be responsible for leading on the financial reporting elements of the Integrated Single Financial Environment. This includes providing a comprehensive efficient service that includes month end reporting, control account reconciliations, VAT returns, ledger integrity and user maintenance.
Strong organisational, communication, analytical and management skills are essential to the role. Advanced knowledge of IT, particularly Excel, would be advantageous to this role. You will also require a good understanding of the accounting function and should also be able to plan your workload in order to meet both strict and conflicting deadlines.
Main duties of the job
The Finance Lead - Accounting to Reporting will reportto the ICB's Finance Manager and will be responsible for overseeing the Integrated Single Financial Environment and integrity of the general ledger.
The post holder will be required to play an essential role in the production of the ICB's statutory annual accounts and will be responsible for co-ordinating the National Agreement of Balances processes. They are required to work closely with colleagues drawing on local and service specific knowledge and expertise to ensure ledger integrity.
The Accounting to Reporting Finance Lead will be responsible for managing and coordinating the workload of the staff within the Accounting to Reporting team to always ensure the provision of a professional and high-quality reporting function and one that demonstrates effective financial governance, due diligence, probity, accuracy, and integrity in financial accounting.
The post holder would have successfully led a team responsible for the delivery of a programme or a project to improve services or processes.
About us
NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a statutory organisation bringing the NHS together locally to improve population health and establish shared strategic priorities within the NHS.
The ICB is part of a wider Lincolnshire Integrated Care System which has four key objectives:
- Improve outcomes in population health and healthcare.
- Tackle inequalities in outcomes, experience and access.
- Enhance productivity and value for money.
- Help the NHS support broader social and economic development.
By working together with the ICB, the wider system will deliver its agreed vision of 'Better Lives for the people of Lincolnshire'. Lincolnshire ICB will use its resources and powers to achieve demonstrable progress on these aims, collaborating to tackle complex challenges.
The ICB is Towards Excellence Level 2 accredited which recognises the best in culture, skills and processes in NHS finance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Annual Accounts Support the production of the ICBs annual accounts processes in accordance with the timetables and deadlines set by NHS England. Operational lead on the Agreement of Balances process including liaison with internal and external stakeholders. Support the external audit process of the accounts, ensuring all required information is provided and any queries are dealt with in a timely and accurate manner.
Financial Services Leading and managing the team delivering the Accounting to Reporting function within the Financial Accounting team of the ICB. Managing the Accounting to Reporting (A2R) function providing a comprehensive efficient service that includes month end reporting, control account reconciliations, VAT returns, ledger integrity and user maintenance. Continuously improve the financial systems and processes to ensure good governance, stewardship, controls, and cost-effective use of resources always.
Other Financial Accounting Provide advice on VAT matters and ensure accurate and timely completion of VAT returns. Assist HMRC on queries relating to VAT or payment of PAYE/NI as required and provide support during any inspection visits. Ensure reconciliation of staff salary sacrifice schemes including timely and accurate deductions. Ensure the Balance Sheet is being monitored monthly and that all required reconciliations are being carried out and reviewed in accordance with Financial Control Procedures. Monitoring and analysis of balance sheet transactions to include correct use of control codes by other teams, quality and quantity of accruals and error suspense items. Assist in the production of monthly monitoring returns for submission to NHS England. Participate in ISFE Oracle User Groups and provide expert advice as required.
Reporting Assist in production of regular, and ad-hoc, ICB and ICS returns. Maintenance of ICBs Financial Monitoring Report to support month end closedowns. Support the production of the ICBs statutory annual accounts in accordance with national NHS guidelines and preparation of robust supporting documentation. Ensure that balanced budgets are entered into the ICBs financial ledger and reconcile to notified allocations. Ensure that the GL & VAT ISFE metrics maintains a high score by monitoring issues and implementing improvements with scope. Ledger reporting functionality expert providing support across the wider team as required. Oversee the input and manipulation of financial databases and spreadsheets, where concentration, speed and accuracy are necessary, including monthly statistics for debtors and creditors to feed the month end and Board reports.
Staff Management Line manager for staff, including the management of leave and sickness in accordance with ICB policies and procedures. Responsibility for a finance student on their placement year from university including annual recruitment, liaison with the university and supporting their development for the benefit of both the individual and the team. Setting objectives and monitoring how those objectives are being met. Responsible for performance management of staff, including undertaking appraisals in accordance with ICB policy, ensuring the staff have up to date development plans and that such plans are actioned appropriately. Provide leadership and guidance to staff where necessary for the performance of their roles. Ensure that staff are working to core competencies, including those associated with mandatory training, which are regularly assessed and appropriate to the service. Ensure all appropriate Health and Safety requirements are observed within the team, particularly those relating to ergonomics given the extensive use of computer equipment required to perform their duties. Support the head of department to manage, build and improve the capability and capacity of the finance team. Plan the workload for own team of staff, considering priorities, capacity, and ability. Support cover arrangements for finance team peers during periods of leave.
Ad-Hoc Deputise for the Finance Manager, when required, on relevant aspects including preparation of reports and preparation of the ICBs financial information as required. Undertake other work commensurate with the level and seniority of the post. Adhere to the finance team values and guiding principles, demonstrated through positive behaviours.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Annual Accounts Support the production of the ICBs annual accounts processes in accordance with the timetables and deadlines set by NHS England. Operational lead on the Agreement of Balances process including liaison with internal and external stakeholders. Support the external audit process of the accounts, ensuring all required information is provided and any queries are dealt with in a timely and accurate manner.
Financial Services Leading and managing the team delivering the Accounting to Reporting function within the Financial Accounting team of the ICB. Managing the Accounting to Reporting (A2R) function providing a comprehensive efficient service that includes month end reporting, control account reconciliations, VAT returns, ledger integrity and user maintenance. Continuously improve the financial systems and processes to ensure good governance, stewardship, controls, and cost-effective use of resources always.
Other Financial Accounting Provide advice on VAT matters and ensure accurate and timely completion of VAT returns. Assist HMRC on queries relating to VAT or payment of PAYE/NI as required and provide support during any inspection visits. Ensure reconciliation of staff salary sacrifice schemes including timely and accurate deductions. Ensure the Balance Sheet is being monitored monthly and that all required reconciliations are being carried out and reviewed in accordance with Financial Control Procedures. Monitoring and analysis of balance sheet transactions to include correct use of control codes by other teams, quality and quantity of accruals and error suspense items. Assist in the production of monthly monitoring returns for submission to NHS England. Participate in ISFE Oracle User Groups and provide expert advice as required.
Reporting Assist in production of regular, and ad-hoc, ICB and ICS returns. Maintenance of ICBs Financial Monitoring Report to support month end closedowns. Support the production of the ICBs statutory annual accounts in accordance with national NHS guidelines and preparation of robust supporting documentation. Ensure that balanced budgets are entered into the ICBs financial ledger and reconcile to notified allocations. Ensure that the GL & VAT ISFE metrics maintains a high score by monitoring issues and implementing improvements with scope. Ledger reporting functionality expert providing support across the wider team as required. Oversee the input and manipulation of financial databases and spreadsheets, where concentration, speed and accuracy are necessary, including monthly statistics for debtors and creditors to feed the month end and Board reports.
Staff Management Line manager for staff, including the management of leave and sickness in accordance with ICB policies and procedures. Responsibility for a finance student on their placement year from university including annual recruitment, liaison with the university and supporting their development for the benefit of both the individual and the team. Setting objectives and monitoring how those objectives are being met. Responsible for performance management of staff, including undertaking appraisals in accordance with ICB policy, ensuring the staff have up to date development plans and that such plans are actioned appropriately. Provide leadership and guidance to staff where necessary for the performance of their roles. Ensure that staff are working to core competencies, including those associated with mandatory training, which are regularly assessed and appropriate to the service. Ensure all appropriate Health and Safety requirements are observed within the team, particularly those relating to ergonomics given the extensive use of computer equipment required to perform their duties. Support the head of department to manage, build and improve the capability and capacity of the finance team. Plan the workload for own team of staff, considering priorities, capacity, and ability. Support cover arrangements for finance team peers during periods of leave.
Ad-Hoc Deputise for the Finance Manager, when required, on relevant aspects including preparation of reports and preparation of the ICBs financial information as required. Undertake other work commensurate with the level and seniority of the post. Adhere to the finance team values and guiding principles, demonstrated through positive behaviours.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Accountancy Qualification - postgraduate diploma level within a finance environment
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience at a management level in a complex multi-professional organisation
- Managed staff responsible for the delivery of a programme/project
- Knowledge and experience of required of financial procedures & practices
- Practical experience of working in a finance department
- Sound knowledge of accounting principles
Desirable
- Experience of working within NHS finance
- Experience of working in a financial accounting role
- Experience of annual accounts and audit processes.
Knowledge
Essential
- Verbal, written, numeric reasoning and presentation skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to motivate and work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to achieve objectives
- Proficient in the use of IT systems and Microsoft Office software
- Advanced Excel skills
- Ability to plan and prioritise work and to work under pressure to meet deadlines
- Ability to analyse and explain complex financial data
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of NHS financial systems and processes
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of specific NHS plans, policies
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Organised and methodical
- Objective, calm, collected and confident under pressure
- Excellent Communicator
- Ability to work well with others
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional Accountancy Qualification - postgraduate diploma level within a finance environment
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience at a management level in a complex multi-professional organisation
- Managed staff responsible for the delivery of a programme/project
- Knowledge and experience of required of financial procedures & practices
- Practical experience of working in a finance department
- Sound knowledge of accounting principles
Desirable
- Experience of working within NHS finance
- Experience of working in a financial accounting role
- Experience of annual accounts and audit processes.
Knowledge
Essential
- Verbal, written, numeric reasoning and presentation skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to motivate and work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to achieve objectives
- Proficient in the use of IT systems and Microsoft Office software
- Advanced Excel skills
- Ability to plan and prioritise work and to work under pressure to meet deadlines
- Ability to analyse and explain complex financial data
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of NHS financial systems and processes
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of specific NHS plans, policies
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Organised and methodical
- Objective, calm, collected and confident under pressure
- Excellent Communicator
- Ability to work well with others
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.
