Head of Financial Accounts

at  Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust

Working to the Deputy Director of Finance the main responsibilities of the role are: - Financial Accounting Responsible for preparation of the Trusts Annual Accounts, Annual Financial Returns and Statements within the required timescales determined by NHS Improvement and in accordance with all relevant guidance, policy and professional accounting standards, whilst working autonomously to interpret and analyse such policies. Responsible for compiling the technical financial pages of the Trusts Annual Report ensuring compliance with accounting standards and the requirements of NHS Improvements Annual Reporting Manual. Liaison with external auditors in demonstrating the accuracy of the Trusts Annual Accounts and Returns, including the preparation of detailed working papers to satisfy external audit requirements. Ensure systems and procedures are in place to reconcile the financial control accounts on a regular basis in order to maintain effective financial control and accuracy of financial information.
Co-ordinate the production of VAT returns as required and provide the Trusts specialist advice on VAT related issues. Maintain and develop internal financial controls, systems and procedures, including the evaluation and implementation of recommendations contained in internal and external audit reports. Ensure the proper management of the Trusts register of property, plant and equipment and ensure that supporting accounting entries are reflected in the financial accounts, returns and records of the Trust. Take a lead role in ensuring that the Trusts payables and receivables balances are recorded and reconciled in accordance with guidelines issued by NHS Improvement.
Preparation of monthly financial performance reports to support the Board, detailing the Trusts performance in relation to SOFP and cash flows Provision of detailed forecasts for the financial planning process in relation to SOFP, cash flows and capital expenditure. Provision of monitoring information of actuals against these plans, including variance and bridge analysis. Cash Flow & Control Day to day management of the Trusts liquidity, ensuring the Trusts cash flow is managed in accordance with the Trusts Treasury Management Policy, including debt and payment management, as well as borrowing and depositing. Responsible for the preparation and monitoring of complex cash flow planning and forecasting within the Trust.
Develop reporting systems for monitoring the Trusts cash flow and for identifying deviations from the Trusts cash plan. Where appropriate, liaise with senior finance staff in reconciling Income & Expenditure, capital and working balances to monitor cash flow performance against plan. Advise on and implement appropriate action to ensure that cash flows remain with the cash plan. Management of the Trusts banking arrangements, ensuring that appropriate reconciliation procedures are maintained.
Maintain cash holdings to ensure that sufficient funds are always available to meet the Trusts requirements. Advise on the required extent of the Working Capital Facility for approval by NHS Improvement and manage cash resources appropriately. Capital/Investment Appraisal Ensure that allocated capital expenditure is in line with Trust objectives and plans and systems are in place to ensure that capital schemes are in accordance relevant accounting policies and guidelines. Ensure that relevant financial information, particularly with regard to capital expenditure and investment appraisal, is included within every Business Case developed by the Directorates.
Review and then discuss the information provided with the Deputy Director of Finance for either approval or to co-ordinate further actions required. Ensure that capital expenditure is accurately recorded, forecast and allocated and that VAT is recovered where appropriate. Where appropriate confirm the treatment with HM Customs & Revenue and/or the Trusts VAT consultants. Preparation of financial accounts, returns, records and forecasts in relation to capital expenditure, ensuring accurate treatment of capital accounting entries.
Prepare forecasts in relation to depreciation and calculate actual depreciation for inclusion in monthly and annual financial returns and reports. Calculation of the Trusts Public Dividend Capital dividends payable and correct and timely remittance of such payments. Other Financial Management Responsibilities Maintenance of relevant financial policies and procedures for the regulation of financial dealings within the Trust, revising and updating as necessary, including the establishment of working parties, where relevant, to take forward revision and implementation. Provide relevant input, as required, to internal and external audit reports, including the co- ordination and implementation of agreed recommendations.
Interpret financial information and accounting standards and provide relevant specialist financial advice and support on these complex issues to the Board, the Executive Directors Group and Directors and managers within the Trust. This advice may be communicated verbally or in writing and it may be supported by the production of detailed and accurate financial information without the necessity of advice from the line manager. Within delegated guidelines act as an authorised signatory for Trust financial instruments and where required facilitate the processing of receipts and payments. To work collaboratively with the Deputy Director of Finance in determining monthly timetabling and scheduling as well as timetabling and scheduling in respect of the preparation of the Annual Accounts of the Trust.
To maintain close contact with other finance colleagues within the Trust to ensure an efficient and effective delivery of service, consistent with departmental wide working policies and practices. Line Management To play a proactive role in the recruitment of staff and to train, motivate, develop and supervise those staff effectively within Trust and Finance Directorate policies and procedures, ensuring that all staff have job descriptions, regular one to one meetings, personal development plans, and are subject to an agreed appraisal mechanism. This includes the assessment of training needs and ensuring that these needs are met. To recruit, train & develop the Financial Accounting team in order that they can competently undertake the responsibilities and tasks required of them and that the financial information and advice supplied is provided in an accurate, relevant and timely manner.
To be responsible for priority setting, both personally and for managed team members and to be responsive to urgent and unpredictable requests for high level financial assistance. Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post. When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria

Please refer the Job description for details