Deputy Head of Financial Services

at  Alder Hey Childrens NHS Foundation Trust

We are looking for a passionate, driven individual who will play a pivotal role not only within the finance department but across the organisation in helping to deliver the Alder Hey financial strategy and deliver on our significant capital investment programme.
The role incorporates lead responsibility for the financial monitoring and accounting of the Trust’s capital projects, financial analysis and technical accounting treatment of equipment, estates developments, acquisitions and leases, preparing reports on the capital programme for the Resource & Business Development Committee.
To provide highly specialist financial advice and support in all aspects of capital financial management. The role will involve discussing highly complex capital financial management issues with non-financial managers and clinicians, some aspects of which may be contentious.
To assist in the preparation of the Trust’s annual statutory accounts and related NHS England submissions and to ensure that national accounting deadlines are met.
Work with external and internal auditors to incorporate new accounting standards and best practice into the finance function and co-ordinate timely implementation of audit recommendations.
To assist the Head of Financial Services in ensuring the financial probity of the Trust, delivering all aspects of the Trust’s financial control functions and meeting all external reporting deadlines, most notably the statutory annual accounts and monthly monitoring returns.
Be responsible for all aspects of capital planning and monitoring of capital expenditure, to include preparation of corporate reports to the Board and monthly reports to NHSE.
The post-holder will be expected to contribute to improving the efficiency of processes and systems in the department. To deputise for the Head of Financial Services as required.
As one of Europe’s biggest and busiest children’s hospitals, at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, we treat everything from common illnesses to highly complex and specialist conditions. In addition to our main hospital site, we offer paediatric services at a number of community sites and hold local clinics across Merseyside, Cumbria, Shropshire, Wales and the Isle of Man. We also provide specialist inpatient care for children with complex mental health needs in our recently relocated and newly opened state of the art facility.
Alder Hey has a thriving research portfolio and leads research into children’s medicines, infection, inflammation and oncology. We are becoming recognised as one of the world’s leaders in children’s healthcare and research. We contribute to public health, lead cutting-edge research and teach the next generation of children’s specialists. Alongside this is our Innovation Hub, a dedicated space where clinicians and industries can come together to create new products and technologies.
We know that a children’s hospital is different and that our job is more than just treating an illness. To us, every child is an individual. As well as giving them the very best care, we set out to make them feel happy, safe and confident as they play, learn and grow. At Alder Hey we are here to look after a child and their family and that includes mums, dads, brothers and sisters.
The post-holder is required to act independently and use own initiative to take decisions as appropriate although recourse from the Head of Financial Services may be required in circumstances where there are no known precedents for a particular course of action.
The post-holder will be responsible for the management and performance of the Financial Accounts Dept., including recruitment, appraisal, personal development and employee relation issues.
The post requires communication with a large number of stakeholders including staff across the organisation from different disciplines including senior management. Also, liaising externally with NHS England, Department of Health, External Auditors, ICB’s, Charitable Organisations, Suppliers and Commissioning.
The post-holder will assist the Head of Financial Services in providing accurate financial information to NHSE, Department of Health and Trust Board by the appropriate deadline.
To manage the Treasury Management function to monitor daily cash flow and provide regular cash flow forecasts to Director of Finance and NHSE.
To manage the Trust’s bank accounts and requests for additional cash support to NHS Improvement and the Independent Trust Financing Facility (ITFF).
T o pro-actively manage the Trust’s cash ensuring sufficient cash is available to meet the Trust’s obligations.
Manage the Trust’s capital asset register ensuring all capital assets are accounted for correctly and systems are in place to deal with additions and disposals.
The post-holder is responsible for capital planning and monitoring of capital expenditure, to include preparation of corporate reports to the Board and monthly reports to NHSE.
Support the Head of Financial Services with PFI accounting.
Liaise with the Trusts VAT advisors to the ensuring VAT is recovered efficiently and that claims are submitted to HMRC within their deadlines. Submit claims relating to large \ complex capital schemes to HMRC. Facilitate any VAT audits and ensure compliance with any recommendations.
Minimise the value of unrecovered VAT on all transactions ensuring that all Accounts staff are suitably trained and aware of the appropriate VAT requirements. Oversee the initial monthly VAT review ensuring corrections are made before submission to VAT Consultant for final review.
The post-holder will interpret and advise on the correct accounting treatment of all transactions relating to the Trust’s income, expenditure and capital expenditure.
T hrough effective management and organisation of the financial accounting function, the post-holder will lead the team to ensure the completion of all necessary work and support the Head of Financial Services in producing monthly accounts and annual statutory returns within agreed timescales.
Support the Head of Financial Services in forward planning and NHSE submissions, including Use Of Resources modelling. To include development of the Trust’s strategic financial planning model, particularly the balance sheet, cash flow and risk ratings, informing strategic decisions about capital expenditure affordability and cash flows.
T he post-holder is responsible for co-ordinating the annual accounts process and is responsible for leading on specific activities associated with the production of the annual accounts and to ensure comprehensive working papers are produced to facilitate a successful statutory audit.
T he post-holder will lead on the agreement of income and expenditure from ICB’s and Trusts.
Provide expertise in relevant accounting regulations to include keeping up to date with requirements of the Annual Reporting Manual (ARM) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). To propose any changes to procedures or reporting required as a result from changes to IFRS or ARM.
The post-holder will be involved in chasing the collection of difficult accounts.
The post-holder will lead on Finance issues relating to recovery of overpaid wages.
The post-holder will provide advice to Directorate Managers and budget holders as appropriate regarding complex finance issues seeking to ensure that Standing Financial Instructions are followed at all times.
Be the lead on the Trust’s Balance Sheet ensuring control accounts are reconciled and reviewed promptly and liaising with other departments within Finance to understand and clear outstanding items.
Maintain the Trust’s Losses & Compensation Register. Responsible for the maintenance of the Trust’s provisions, ensuring appropriate calculations in line with International Financial Reporting Standards.
To liaise with internal and external auditors and ensure audit requirements are implemented

Please refer the Job description for details