Management Accountant​/Trainee Management Accountant

Responsibilities

• Support the development of financial reporting, including analysis and interpretation of complex financial information, and implement a continuous quality improvement programme.
• Organise and attend meetings with the speciality leadership team and budget holders to review and monitor performance; work with managers to interpret financial variances and provide guidance on corrective action.
• Facilitate delivery of financial support and training to Care Group or Corporate Group staff to enable effective budget management and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of each service area within the Care Group or Corporate Group to identify the required level of financial support.
• Review contracts, quotations and invoices; identify opportunities to reclaim VAT in collaboration with the internal Tax and Compliance Team.
• Assist the Finance Manager with the development of financial efficiency and recovery plans, engaging with services throughout the process.
• Work in partnership with services staff to provide and interpret complex financial information for projects, business cases, suppliers and capital planning.
• Prepare and input budgets and journals, including appropriate recharges; assist management with variance analysis, forecasting and reconciliation of control accounts.
• Prepare accurate and timely monthly and annual management and financial accounts.
• Provide input to the Trust's statutory financial reports.
• Proactively respond to complex and sensitive financial queries with managers and external organisations; negotiate cost and service issues with NHS and non‑NHS external organisations.
• Assist with the development of the General Ledger and support the resolution of operational problems/issues.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of Finance & Procurement computerised systems (General Ledger, Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger and Payroll).
• Take lead responsibility for production and distribution of accurate, timely budget reports to the speciality leadership team and budget holders, including:
  • Validating reports and identifying reasons for variances.
  • Producing financial forecasts for review.
  • Reconciling budgets, including maintenance of the current and recurrent budget position.
• Undertake budget variations and adjustments in agreement with managers to reflect financial implications of service and departmental changes.
• Assist with the annual budget setting process ensuring alignment with services and the Trust's strategic direction.
• Undertake any other tasks reasonably required.
• Ensure consistent application of the Trust's financial management policies, procedures and good accounting practice, including:
• Statutory Financial Instructions.
• Scheme of Delegation.
• Scheme of Budgetary Control.
• Relevant accounting standards and practices, such as accruals and commitment‑based accounting principles in financial reports.
• Serve as authorised signatory up to the level commensurate with the Trust's scheme of delegation.
• Work within policies and procedures with a high degree of autonomy and minimal supervision.
• Deliver finance training to non‑finance managers.
• Maintain comprehensive records and supporting information.
• Audit and review own work processes; propose procedural improvements for management review.
• Respond to ad‑hoc internal and external audit queries.

• Essential: AAT qualified or equivalent work experience; commitment to Continuous Professional Development; ability to learn new concepts and apply them practically.
• Desirable:
  Training towards or willingness to pursue a CCAB qualification.

• Essential:
  Working knowledge of MS Office and advanced spreadsheet skills (Excel intermediate level); minimum 2 years directly relevant experience in financial management or accounting within a large, complex multi‑disciplinary organisation; knowledge of computerised finance systems such as purchase ledger, sales ledger and payroll; experience delivering period‑end reporting (including year‑end) under tight deadlines; understanding of fundamental accounting concepts (accruals, commitment accounting, double entry).
• Desirable:
  Recent experience within an acute…