Description
The Group Financial Accountant supports the Financial Accounts team in delivering accurate and timely financial reporting across the GESH Hospital Group.
The role has a particular focus on treasury management, cash flow, bank and control account reconciliations, balance sheet reporting, statutory returns and audit support.
The postholder is responsible for monitoring the Trust's daily cash position, preparing short- and medium-term cash flow forecasts, managing bank reconciliations, supporting treasury activities and helping ensure that sufficient cash is available to meet operational requirements.
The role also supports monthly and quarterly NHS financial returns, year-end accounts, Agreement of Balances exercises and preparation of audit working papers.
A key part of the role is ensuring that financial transactions are accurately recorded and compliant with IFRS, NHS accounting guidance, Trust policies and Standing Financial Instructions.
The postholder will also work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including Accounts Payable, Payroll, Management Accounts, Income, NHS Shared Business Services, commercial banks and external auditors.
The position also provides support to the Capital Accounting team, including fixed asset and lease reconciliations and IFRS 16 reporting where required.
Job Responsibilities:
- Support the Finance Manager in maintaining effective treasury management processes, including daily cash monitoring, short-term investments, and management of the Trusts bank accounts in line with NHS and Trust policy.
- Assist in preparing and maintaining accurate daily, weekly, and monthly cash flow forecasts, identifying funding requirements and investment opportunities.
- Reconcile all bank and control accounts on a regular basis, ensuring variances are promptly investigated, documented, and resolved.
- Prepare and post journals relating to income, expenditure, accruals, prepayments, and balance sheet adjustments, ensuring compliance with IFRS and NHS guidance.
- Assist with the Agreement of Balances process for NHS and non-NHS debtors and creditors, supporting the completion of quarterly and year-end exercises.
- Prepare monthly treasury and balance sheet reports, supporting management review of cash position, liquidity, and working capital.
- Contribute to the production of the Trusts annual accounts, including notes and schedules relating to cash, investments, borrowings, and leases.
- Support the management and reconciliation of payroll, VAT, and other key control accounts, ensuring accurate financial records are maintained.
- Assist the Finance Manager and Capital Accounting team with the reconciliation of fixed asset and lease schedules, including IFRS 16 reporting where required.
- Liaise with commercial banks, NHS Shared Business Services, and internal departments on treasury-related matters, resolving queries efficiently.
- Provide accurate and timely information to support internal and external audits, addressing audit queries and implementing recommendations.
- Ensure that adequate audit trails are maintained for all reconciliations, journals, and supporting documentation in line with Trust policy.
- Participate in the development and improvement of financial systems and procedures within the Financial Accounts team, promoting efficiency and consistency.
Person Specification:
- Qualifications: AAT qualified or studying towards CCAB/ACCA/CIMA, Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Demonstrable post-qualification development and achievement of CPD.
- Experience: NHS Trust Finance experience
- Skills: Good knowledge on accounting standards (IFRS and IAS) and policies, Good level of competence in Excel, Word, Outlook, MS Teams and Advanced keyboard skills, Ability to train the graduate trainees and other colleagues in the finance team, Ability to prepare any ad-hoc report requested by the management, Ability to communicate complex information effectively to all levels of staff, Analyse financial information using a variety of analytical skills using all relevant factors, Plan and organise own area of responsibility to ensure the achievement of the sections targets/goals, Able to work well under pressure to meet demanding deadlines.
Benefits:
- Permanent contract
- Full-time working pattern
- Agenda for Change pay scheme
- Band 6 salary (£47,951 to £56,863 a year pa)