Main Tasks and Responsibilities

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1. Strategic responsibilities

 

• Work as part of the senior management team to develop and implement the Trust’s long term financial strategy, and in-year strategies necessary to meet the Trust’s financial requirements 

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• Provide appropriate and timely financial information and advice to senior managers to enable the Trust to fulfil its financial responsibilities.

 

• Contribute to the short, medium and long term planning process with particular responsibility for cash flow, working capital, financing charges, and movements in provisions.

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• Provide expert financial advice and technical support to the Trust Capital Steering Group.

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• Provide expert financial advice on the financial reporting implications of service transfers or redesigns and negotiate with external bodies (NHS and non-NHS) to manage these implications and give effect to any funding transfer.

 

2. Accounting services and transactions

 

• Lead continuous improvement in the accounting service and transactions teams, taking into account internal and external requirements, and identify opportunities to streamline processes and systems where possible.

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• Ensure the integrity of accounting services and transactions functions and of the data in the ledger, and liaise with internal and external auditors in audits designed to improve financial services.

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• Ensure the Trust complies with current VAT and HMRC regulations and that property valuation is carried out in accordance with professional standards.

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• Manage key investment and lending arrangements.

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• Ensure the Trust has sufficient cash and working capital resources on a day-to-day basis.#

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• Manage the relationship with outsourced service providers, ensuring that the Trust receives services that are value for money, fit for purpose, and in line with agreed contractual obligations.

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• Provide advice on highly complex financial and corporate issues to non-financial managers, and discuss financial queries with staff, suppliers and patients, which may be highly complex, sensitive or contentious, and require developed negotiating skills

 

3. ​Financial systems, policies and procedures

 

• Ensure the Trust’s policies, procedures and Standing Financial Instructions are kept up to date and are followed by the Financial Services teams to provide effective financial management and internal control.  Recommend and develop new policies and procedures where appropriate.

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• Review the integrity and development of financial systems to ensure they meet all statutory requirements and are fit for purpose, provide line management for the Head of Financial Systems, and provide strategic oversight of the relationship with the outsourced provider of finance and business systems development.

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• Ensure the financial reporting structure is kept up to date, meeting the requirement of the Finance Department, the Divisions and budget holders, and maintain the specifications for standard reports to take into account internal and external requirements.  

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• Put in place processes to ensure that the schemes of delegation relevant to particular financial systems, transactions and services are accurate and updated on a regular basis.

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• Ensure that internal and external audit recommendations relating to financial systems, policies and procedures are implemented.

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• Contribute to local induction and training for Finance Directorate staff, and develop and deliver training for non-finance staff, ensuring an understanding of financial policies and procedures of the Trust and the financial environment of the Trust.

 

4. Monthly financial reporting

 

• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of monthly statutory returns, including reports on the Trust’s compliance with statutory financial duties and targets including for capital spend (CRL), cash balances (EFL) and the Better Payment Practice Code (BPPC).

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• Lead the month end financial reporting process in accordance with the agreed timetable and standards, and quality assure the Trust’s monthly financial performance reports.

 

5. Annual and Year end financial reporting

 

• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of annual and year end statutory returns, including the agreement of balances exercise and reports on the Trust’s compliance with statutory financial duties and targets including for capital spend (CRL), cash balances (EFL) and the Better Payment Practice Code (BPPC).

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• Work closely with external audit to provide relevant information, accommodation and other resources required to perform their duties effectively, and ensure the Annual Accounts are delivered in accordance with the national timetable and without qualification.

 

6. Leadership and management

 

• Provide strong visible leadership for the financial services department and promote a culture where people feel empowered and accountable for service improvement.

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• Promote a culture of proactive use of project management skills and techniques throughout the department. Plan and organise own work schedules and those of others to ensure activities are completed within agreed weekly monthly and annual financial timescales and comply with Trust policies and procedures.

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• Support team managers to lead, motivate and develop staff. Ensure that managers have been trained in core policies and procedures, and that any staff performance and disciplinary issues in the team are managed appropriately. 

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• Maintain professional standards within the financial services department and ensure staff meet their requirements for continuing professional development.  Keep up to date with national and local Finance Staff Development strategies, initiatives and opportunities.  Promote a culture of learning and development and monitor progress against the training strategy, policy and plan.

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• Appraise and develop staff through on the job training, professional and academic studies, mentoring and Personal Development Planning.

 

7. Other Duties

 

• Represent, cover, support or deputise for the Deputy CFOs or senior colleagues as required

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• Carry out other reasonable duties required

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• Contribute to the overall development of the Finance Directorate

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• Contribute to special projects as required throughout the Trust

 

*Scope and Purpose of Job Description

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A job description does not constitute a ‘term and condition of employment’.  It is provided only as a guide to assist the employee in the performance of their job.  The Trust is a fast moving organisation and therefore changes in employees’ duties may be necessary from time to time.  The job description is not intended to be an inflexible or finite list of tasks and may be varied from time to time after consultation/discussion with the post holder.

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