Senior Finance Accountant
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Job overview
To provide a technical financial accounting to the Trust. To ensure the maintenance of the General Ledger and reconciliation of control codes in a timely manner to ensure the accuracy of the ledgers and balances.
The post holder will ensure that the Trust's ledger system is accurate by ensuring that control accounts are reconciled on a regular basis and that any reconciling items are investigated and cleared as soon as possible whilst taking an overview of the ledger in order to identify and correct any complex underlying issues.
The post holder will provide financial accounting support to the Senior Finance Manager - Technical Accounts and their senior team in relation to the statutory financial accounts.
To provide appropriate advice and guidance to the Trust's staff and management on VAT ensuring that the Trust operates within VAT principles. Calculating the VAT return and taking actions required to ensure the return is completed accurately and within the statutory timescale.
The post holder may be required to provide financial training and advice to all levels of staff within the directorate and within the wider Trust. They will also provide support and training opportunities to finance trainees within the organisation.
To deputise for the Financial Accountant Technical as required.
The post holder will provide operational advice on the full range of financial accounting and support Trust-wide policies where relevant.
Main duties of the job
To provide financial accounting support to the Senior Finance Manager in relation to specific areas to include:
Clear and robust monthly/quarterly and annual control account reconciliations
Taking ownership and proactive approach to payroll reconciliations and addressing queries with all parties concerned.
Supporting and preparing year end accounts.
Preparing various month end journals and other month end related processes
Working for our organisation
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
- high-quality care for all,
- being a great place to work,
- partnerships for impact, and
- research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
- we are compassionate,
- we are proud,
- we are inclusive, and
- we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacanc...
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To provide a technical financial accounting to the Trust. To ensure the maintenance of the General Ledger and reconciliation of control codes in a timely manner to ensure the accuracy of the ledgers and balances.
The post holder will ensure that the Trust's ledger system is accurate by ensuring that control accounts are reconciled on a regular basis and that any reconciling items are investigated and cleared as soon as possible whilst taking an overview of the ledger in order to identify and correct any complex underlying issues.
The post holder will provide financial accounting support to the Senior Finance Manager - Technical Accounts and their senior team in relation to the statutory financial accounts.
To provide appropriate advice and guidance to the Trust's staff and management on VAT ensuring that the Trust operates within VAT principles. Calculating the VAT return and taking actions required to ensure the return is completed accurately and within the statutory timescale.
The post holder may be required to provide financial training and advice to all levels of staff within the directorate and within the wider Trust. They will also provide support and training opportunities to finance trainees within the organisation.
To deputise for the Financial Accountant Technical as required.
The post holder will provide operational advice on the full range of financial accounting and support Trust-wide policies where relevant.
Technical Accounts:
• To ensure that the Trust's ledger system is accurate by ensuring that all control accounts are reconciled on a regular basis and that any reconciling items are investigated and cleared as soon as possible.
• To interpret the results of the control account reconciliations and apply expert knowledge and experience of the Trust's ledger system and its components (e.g. sales ledger, purchase ledger) to identify any action that needs to be taken to correct errors.
• To ensure all external feeds to the Trust's ledger system are formulated, generated and processed in accordance with the closedown timetable to maintain the integrity of the ledger balances at all times.
• To manage the process for the collection and pay-over of statutory payments such as court orders and Tax and National Insurance. Ensuring any issues and queries are dealt with and resolved to ensure payment within statutory deadlines is achieved.
• Interrogation of the ESR payroll system to resolve queries and complete returns.
• Maintain the Trust's losses and compensations register and deal with all related queries.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of an in depth training programme for the department focusing on technical accounting; and year-end accounting
• To communicate complex information to finance staff and managers relating to different areas of the Trust's finances including payroll, taxation and financial accounts.
• To provide financial accounting support to the Senior Finance Manager in relation to specific areas to include:
Clear and robust monthly/quarterly and annual control account reconciliations
Taking ownership and proactive approach to payroll reconciliations and addressing queries with all parties concerned.
Supporting and preparing year end accounts.
Preparing various month end journals and other month end related processes
Person specification
Training and qualification
Essential criteria
- Certificate level/ AAT member or equivalent experience at degree level
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant experience in a Finance department within the NHS.
- Experience of working within a team to produce year-end NHS financial accounts
communication and relationship
Essential criteria
- Able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels both internally and externally, orally and in writing
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential criteria
- Strong analytical and interpretative skills Able to analyse and interpret complex financial data & resolve queries and anomalies
Skills (Technical and planning)
Essential criteria
- Able to design, format and maintain spread sheets for specific purposes.
- Ability to work under pressure, to prioritise and to work independently towards expected results within defined operating policies
Additional Information
Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.
Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.
UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.
Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.
UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.
The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.
The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.
COVID 19 Risk Assessment
Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.
The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.
If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.
Covid Vaccination Status
Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
- Senior Financial Accountant (PDF, 568.5KB)
- Understanding your right to work in the UK (PDF, 1.1MB)
- Employee Benefits (PDF, 578.5KB)