Senior Financial Controller

Overview

Job summaryAn exciting new opportunity has arisen for an experienced financial accountant/controller looking to enhance their career. The post holder will be one of two Senior Financial Controllers supporting the Head of Financial Services to ensure that all internal and external reporting is completed in an accurate and timely manner.The post holder will be an important leader within the Finance Directorate and in the wider organisation, responsible for Financial Accounts, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Treasury Management and Cashiers, Capital Accounting/Planning, Charitable Funds and Financial Systems. The role offers exposure to influencing change and strengthening financial control within a leading Mental Health provider within the NHS. The team aims to deliver a "right first time" service with a customer focus, aligned to the Trust values of Respectful, Open, Collaborative, Compassionate and Consistent. The department is transforming to operate more efficiently, embedding automation to improve reporting times and support operational service managers to deliver patient care and value for money.Main duties of the job

The postholder is responsible for all aspects of financial control within the financial services team to ensure a quality financial service for the Trust, including:monthly and annual NHS financial reporting requirements including statutory financial returnsinternal control procedures, including reconciliationstimely and accurate processing of transactions and completion of control checks to enable variance analysis on trends and forecastsday to day management of the financial services function including Accounts Payable, Treasury, Financial Accounts and Financial Systems teamsmanaging and developing staffdelivering world class financial systemssupporting annual budget and long-term financial planningTechnical accountancy, IT literacy and staff management skills are essential. The candidate should be CCAB qualified (finalist/qualified), preferably with NHS experience. Strong leadership, communication, presentation and analytical skills are required, with experience handling difficult situations professionally.About us

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George''s Mental Health NHS Trust. We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti-racist. We aim to co-produce and involve local communities in all we do. We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment for our people and their careers.We are transforming to support our mission of Making Life Better Together and have opened two new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital with further developments planned.Job description

Job responsibilitiesLead the production of the Trust’s statutory annual accounts, providing comprehensive procedure notes, high quality working papers and a detailed plan and timetable to all finance and appropriate non-finance staff to ensure completion of the accounts in line with local and national deadlines.Produce the year-end timetable and procedures to enable the production of annual accounts within the Department of Health and Social Care timetable and in accordance with statutory and accounting (GAAP/IFRS) requirements; ensure compliance with GAM for year-end and any in-year changes to accounting standards.Ensure all finance staff have up-to-date knowledge of current accounting standards and that the Trust’s accounts are compiled accordingly.Be responsible for the quarterly Agreement of Balances exercise, including submission of templates to national deadlines, issuing statements and reconciling values to the ledger.Be responsible for month-end and year-end processes across a broad range of financial accounting tasks, producing schedules for external statutory accounts and returns to DHSC, NHS England, ICB, etc.Work with external auditors during audits and respond to auditor queries in a timely manner.Lead analytical review of the SOFP/SOCF and Capital areas, interpreting complex information for internal and external stakeholders.Explain complex auditor queries to non-finance staff to ensure timely responses.Liaise with counter fraud, internal and external audit to implement best practice and ensure audit actions are communicated and implemented across the Trust.Prepare and manage the balance sheet, cash flow, working capital and capital financial metrics; identify risks and mitigating strategies and convey information clearly.Support the Head of Financial Services in cash flow monitoring and forecasting to ensure sufficient liquidity.Manage cash and balance sheet with the Head of Financial Services and Deputy Director of Finance to meet internal solvency ratios.Lead on administration, authorisation and receipt of PDC/New Business Loans for capital schemes.Lead treasury management procedures, ensuring accurate cashflow reports and supporting treasury activities with the Senior Accountant Treasury.Develop stakeholder relationships with banks, debtors, creditors and VAT consultants; ensure bank account controls, up-to-date bank mandates and payment processing cover.Develop and review detailed financial policies and procedures for the financial accounting functions, ensuring updates align with Standing Orders and Standing Financial Instructions, and are communicated across the Trust.Person Specification

QualificationsEssentialCCAB qualifiedRelated degree or equivalent qualificationCommitment and evidence of continuing professional and personal developmentDesirableInterest in developing personal and technical skills to support further career developmentExperienceEssentialFinancial Accounting experience or equivalentDemonstrable experience in the NHS Finance sectorKnowledge of IFRS and VATAt least two years’ experience supervising/managing and developing staffCreating new/improved systems and procedures to streamline dutiesDesirableExperience of producing annual NHS accountsKnowledge of e-financials system, ESR payroll system and CARS fixed asset systemKnowledgeEssentialExperience of using computerised financial systems and reporting toolsTreasury Management - maintaining positive cashflow position and ensuring good banking relationshipsDesirableAbility to interpret health service policy on finance, cash and capital and apply to the development of policies and processes in the Trust.Skills and AbilitiesEssentialAbility to read, interpret and implement national policy and guidanceAble to concentrate for prolonged periods, manage interruptions and work under pressureStrong communication skills, both verbally and in writing; clear, concise and courteous interaction with all levels of staff with adaptable communication styleAbility to influence, persuade and motivate staffAbility to make reasoned judgments on financial risks where opinions may differAbility to identify risks, anticipate issues and create solutions for project or service deliveryNeat and precise working methods; maintain complete and accurate working papers and filing structuresDesirableCapital investment decision-making techniquesHFMA MemberAdvanced Microsoft Office skills, including macros, SQLDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the DBS may be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration.Employer details

Employer nameSouth West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS TrustAddressTolworth Hospital, Red Lion Road, London, KT6 7QUEmployer''s ..... full job details .....