Associate Director of Finance: Financial Accounting

Are you an experienced finance leader looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to make a difference in their next role? If so, then Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership has a rare opportunity to join its senior finance team as Associate Director of Finance:
Financial Accounting.

You will operate at a senior level within the Trust, leading on Financial Accounting and all technical financial matters, as well as overseeing the financial aspects of the Trust capital programme. This role is also key to ensuring that appropriate financial controls and governance are in place and that all external financial reporting is completed to the highest possible standards. Responsibility for, and maximising the benefit from the Trust finance system also sits with this role, leaving a varied portfolio for you to lead on with support from your team.

You will work closely with the Chief and Deputy Chief Financial Officer as well as other key leads across the finance team, as well as with Planning and Service Development leads, Estates Project Leads and senior clinicians across the wider organisation. You will be adept at communicating complex financial issues in a clear and understandable way to a range of different stakeholders as well as being able to adapt to often rapidly changing priorities and demands.

This is an exciting time to join the Trust as it embarks on a significant transformation programme that will help to reshape mental health services across the Trust footprint. This role is a key leadership position within the Finance Directorate and we are seeking an exceptional candidate to join our friendly and inclusive team to take forward the financial agenda.

• Lead on all elements of the Trust’s statutory financial reporting processes and mechanisms, including reporting through to NHS England.
• Lead on preparation of the Annual Accounts, including managing year‑end closedown and external audit of the accounts.
• Produce financial plans and forecasts to manage the balance sheet, capital investment and working capital positions.
• Lead the financial element of the Trust Capital Programme.
• Act as Trust expert on technical accounting and regulatory matters, keeping the organisation updated on any changes in financial legislation, accounting standards and NHS finance regulations.
• Act as finance lead to the Trust PFI programme, supporting the Chief Financial Officer in managing often complex relationships with the PFI provider.
• Lead on financial governance, audit and counter‑fraud issues including the maintenance and monitoring of SFIs and other financial policies.

• Provide leadership and direction to the Financial Accounting, Capital Accounting, Treasury Management and Finance System functions, having responsibility for all staffing issues including recruitment, appraisals, training and development, professional development and discipline. Advising, supporting and developing staff to ensure that they are proficient in undertaking their duties.
• Plan, direct, organise and review the workload priorities of the Financial Accounting, Capital Accounting, Treasury Management and Finance System functions, ensuring that timetables are set, all necessary procedure notes are produced and circulated and required training given.
• Provide leadership and direction to the "One NHS Finance" Accreditation Programme promoting and championing their use across the functions and wider directorate.
• Work with the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Financial Officer and other senior managers to ensure that the desired culture and ways of working are fostered throughout the department, in particular a culture of openness and involvement of staff.
• Deal with complaints, FOI requests or other issues as required, ensuring a thorough investigation of events, a full and fair response, corrective action where appropriate and compliance with statutory or policy timescales.
• Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information where agreement or co‑operation is required from senior internal and external stakeholders. Present complex, sensitive or contentious…