Accountant, Financial Analyst, Financial Reporting

The Support Accountant will assist the Divisional Accountant in providing a range of business support services to individual operational Directors, senior operational, managers, clinicians and budget managers in order to achieve effective financial management and support the drive for continuous improvement in service delivery in line with the strategic objectives of the Trust.

This will include the production of regular, meaningful financial analysis reports to facilitate effective budgetary control at Directorate level and assisting the Divisional Accountant in analysing and evaluating complex problems.

The post-holder will assist the Divisional Accountant in undertaking the financial aspects of budget setting, service re-profiling, service developments/retractions and other ad-hoc financial costings as required. The post-holder will deputise for the Divisional Accountant as and when required.

Location: Ballymena

Job Type: Temporary

Duration of booking: Expected to last 5 months with possible extension

Proposed start date: ASAP

Pay Rates: Up to £31 per hour Umbrella or £27 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay

Hours / Working Days: 37.5 hours per week / Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

Based: Office / Hospital

• Support the Divisional Accountant in maintaining effective financial control within allocated Directorates.
• Assist with the production of the Trust Board's monthly report.
• Assist with commissioner liaison in relation to the negotiation of the service and budget agreements relevant to the Directorates.
• Liaise with the Central Financial Management Team to ensure that all relevant service and budgetary agreements, adjustments and funding for other service developments are accurately reflected within the Directorates in order to maintain accurate financial reporting and effective financial control.
• Support Directorate management teams in formulating plans for change, articulating risks and appraising options.
• Assist with the provision of expert analysis, interpretation and evaluation of financial and non-financial data.
• Assist with the monthly production of a written assessment of the financial position for the Directorate. This will include a commentary on the relationship between different types of performance information (activity, workforce).

• Assist with the annual budget setting process for the Directorate, making recommendations for change to the budget setting policy.
• Assist in the production of regular and meaningful income and expenditure information to budget managers.
• Assist in the development of improved ways of reporting financial information in conjunction with budget managers.
• Assist in the development of cash and non-cash release efficiency savings plans for the Directorate.
• Support the Divisional Accountant in the early identification of threats to the financial stability of the Trust by highlighting risks within the Directorate and agreeing on rectification measures.
• Assist with the provision of management accounting information for inclusion in the Trust’s final accounts.
• Liaise with internal and external audit on matters relating to the financial management function as appropriate.

• Full membership of one of the five professional accounting institutes within the CCAB, or CIMA;
• Minimum of 2 years relevant finance experience at supervisory level.
• Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criterion will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust, which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with staff at senior levels, both internal and external to the Trust.
• Ability to analyse highly complex data and to communicate subsequent analysis.
• Ability to plan and work effectively within timescales and deadlines.
• Ability to review and challenge current processes in own area and throughout the organisation where there is a financial impact.
• Ability to manage and motivate staff.
• Have extensive working knowledge of ICT systems including Microsoft Office, in particular having advanced Microsoft Excel skills or other data analytical tools.