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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

GOVERNANCE

To provide input into the update of the corporate governance manual and ensure that standing orders and standing financial instructions are complied with in the Trust.  And to ensure that members of the Finance team and key budget holders are aware of principles

To work with the Financial Management Section and NHS Shared Business Services to ensure the on-going development and maintenance of financial accounts systems and procedures. 

To work closely with internal and external auditors, providing information as required and ensuring in conjunction with the Deputy Chief Finance Officer and Senior Finance Team that action plans are developed for the completion of audit recommendations within agreed timescales.

To provide a lead role as a member of the Senior Finance Team in the development and interpretation of strategic financial policies and together with the implementation of these within the Finance department. 

To provide a lead role as a member of the Senior Finance Team in the development and maintenance of financial systems that deliver accounting and regulatory information requirements.

To ensure appropriate systems and processes are implemented to provide assurance to internal and external stakeholders as to the integrity of the Trusts financial information.

STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PLANNING

To provide a key role in the development of the financial aspects of the Trusts Operational plans, reporting to the Deputy Chief Finance Officer and working closely with senior Finance and Executive / Operational colleagues (to meet with the requirements of NHSE). 

To ensure that consideration within the operational plan is given to changes in NHS policy / technical guidance. 

To provide detailed and complex financial information in such a way which is easily understood by non-financial staff; and to critically appraise the financial impact of service development proposals and business cases, and assist in the decision-making process by advising on both the immediate and more strategic financial consequences.

To monitor the implementation of approved developments and schemes and report on results, recommending and taking corrective action where necessary.

To identify areas of financial risk to the Trust and take appropriate action to resolve.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

Responsible for the management and development of the Financial Accounting function at the trust;  

·   Overseeing the development of proactive and supportive relationships with key stakeholders internal and external to the Trust;

·      Ensuring that objective, relevant, accurate and timely advice and guidance / advice are provided; and

· Overseeing an approach which is both flexible and professional, demonstrating a “can do” attitude and a willingness to provide reasoned challenge when appropriate.

·       Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of information reported by the Financial Management function - internally and externally.

·  Ensuring that clear procedures are in place, which are consistent with accounting standards and recognised best practice standards; and that work completed by is undertaken in a manner consistent with such procedures.

Responsible for coordinating the completion and the submitting of statutory returns, including;

 ·       Management of the Final Accounts process and production of the Trust’s Annual Statutory Returns and Accounts and Foundation Trust Consolidation returns (FTCs) together with working papers

·       To produce and submit monthly / quarterly monitoring returns to the ICB and NHSE to timetable and to act as the lead contact for queries / follow up issues;

·       Any other Ad hoc returns and enquiries required by the ICB and NHSE;

·       To co-operate and act as a first point of contact with the Trusts internal and external auditors in connection with year-end audits of both Trust and charitable fund accounts by external auditors and for the Financial systems audit undertaken by Internal audit.

Delivery of a high-quality financial accounting service, responsible for;

·       Managing the financial accounts / accounts payable section monthly processes to comply with monthly reporting timetable;

·       Ensuring that all control accounts are reconciled on a monthly basis including review with Shared Business Services of the monthly reconciliation pack;

·       Capital accounting arrangements for the Trust –including overseeing the maintenance of the Centre’s Asset Register, reconciliation to the General Ledger, recording all fixed assets on the Asset Register with appropriate depreciation rates/useful lives and calculation of depreciation on a monthly basis.  Responsible for monitoring capital expenditure throughout the year, ensuring expenditure is consistent with the capital allocation and the production of a monthly monitoring report for the Board;

· Treasury management arrangements for the Trust including management of cash through quarterly, yearly and 2 yearly cashflows;

·  Investment of surplus cash balances within the Trusts investment policy, and management of working capital balances;

·    Responsibility for the calculation and reporting of the PDC dividend that the Trust will be required to pay each year;

·   Supporting the Charitable Funds Committee in the management of funds held by the Trust through regular attendance at Committee meetings, ensuring that funds are managed in accordance with Charity Commission requirements and timely completion of the Commission’s Annual Return.  Also ensuring that the committee are appropriately advised of fundraising performance, investment performance, fund balances and receipts and payments of funds;

·       Ensuring that all provisions are correctly accounted for;

·       Overseeing the preparation of HMRC PAYE Settlement information;

·       Overseeing the management of the General ledger on a daily basis;

·   Ensuring the proactive management of debts, and ensuring cash is received in a timely manner for services provided – minimising the risk of disputed balances / bad debts;

·       Monitor the Trusts performance against the Better Payments Practice Code and put measures in place to improve performance where necessary;

·  Production of losses and special payments information and single supplier tender waivers for Audit Committee;

·       Responsibility for overseeing the financial management of the Trusts salary sacrifice schemes including directly responsibility for the leased car scheme;

To support the Deputy Chief Finance Officer in the production of the monthly Board Report to timetable including direct responsibility for overseeing the production of the Balance Sheet, Cashflow statements, Risk ratings, capital expenditure and analysis of receivables 

To work closely with senior finance colleagues in supporting the strengthening of forecasting and financial modelling systems currently in place;

To respond to ad hoc requirements as required, dealing with senior managers in providing clear, relevant and timely advice.

STAFF MANAGEMENT, TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

To provide visible leadership and support to the Finance team in delivering departmental objectives.

To ensure effective systems of communication are established to make sure that the finance team are upto date and can respond to local and national developments.

To support the Deputy Chief Finance Officer in the development of an organisational Finance Skills Development (FSD) strategy, with the objective of working towards level 3 FSD accreditation.  To play a key role in developing a finance function that is “fit for purpose” and can adapt to a changing environment.

Responsibility for the management of staff within the Financial Services team, including a lead role in. 

·       The recruitment & selection of staff;

·       Training and development;

·       Approval of annual leave & monitoring sickness (including adherence to Trust policy);

·       Grievance and disciplinary issues;

·       Ensuring that appraisals are undertaken on a regular basis, with objectives set consistent with organisational objectives, and that appraisals are conducted in line with Trust policy;

·       Identifying clear actions to resolve performance issues within the department in a timely manner;

·       Ensuring that staff are upto date with  mandatory training requirements

To ensure that staff within the Department receive the required training and development in order to fulfil their role, and ensure that staff are able to continue to develop their skills and experience.

To provide training for non-financial managers both on a formal basis (as part of the trust training & development program) and on any other ad-hoc basis as required.  This will include the preparation and presentation of financial workshops and budget holder training throughout the trust with the purpose of raising financial awareness for current and prospective budget holders and interested parties.

To deputise for the Deputy Chief Finance Officer where appropriate.

OTHER DUTIES

Observe the provision of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

Keep up to date with and observe professional and ethical standards of relevant accounting body.

Undertake any other duties which are appropriate to the roll.

The role may be amended to incorporate other duties or respond to changes in organisational needs.