Assistant Finance Business Partner

Job summary

Due to internal promotion of current post holders an exciting opportunity has arisen to join an award‑winning team as an Assistant Finance Business Partner. You will be an integral part of an operational divisional management team and contribute to the management of the finance directorate within University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay.

To provide information and senior support to the Finance Business Partner/Deputy Finance Business Partner to ensure that timely, accurate and relevant income, expenditure and activity reports and ad‑hoc analyses are produced. To develop the general ledger and other financial reporting systems, carrying out set monthly tasks, system maintenance and ad‑hoc problem solving to ensure smooth and accurate running of the ledger system.

We operate from three main hospitals – Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancashire Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal – as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

• A vibrant, diverse, and inclusive healthcare community
• Cutting‑edge facilities and technology
• Opportunities for continuous professional development
• A culture that values and recognises your contributions

• Provide senior support to the FBP/DFBP in the production of income, expenditure and activity information and forecasts, and support staff and managers in the respective Care Groups including budget setting, budget monitoring, variance analysis and early identification of deviations from plan.
• Regular communication with Care Group management teams, budget holders, staff and managers within specific Care Groups, and occasional contact with external organisations, including other NHS bodies, non‑NHS organisations and external audit.
• Responsible for dealing with Freedom of Information requests, ensuring the information is collated and sent as per the Trust's internal timetable.
• Work in conjunction with the relevant FBP/DFBP, using initiative to manage workload and carry out the general maintenance and monthly tasks and reconciliations associated with the Trust's General Ledger Financial Computer Systems by agreed deadlines.
• Monitor performance against budget, investigate and explain variances between budget and actual, and correct errors where required, using your own initiative or obtaining advice from the appropriate manager where necessary.

Education & qualifications

• Essential: AAT member or equivalent level/experience.
• Desirable: Actively studying towards CCAB qualification; ECDL or equivalent qualification.

Experience

• Essential: General accounting experience and adherence to deadlines; experience of the financial management process; experience of the Trust's General Ledger Financial System.
• Desirable: Management Accounts experience within the NHS.

Skills

• Detailed knowledge of the functions and operation of accounting ledgers.
• Strong computer literacy.
• Interpersonal skills to deal with managers and other finance team members.
• Sound written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive numerical interpretation and manipulation of data.
• Effective time‑management skills.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail whilst working under pressure.
• Ability to balance conflicting priorities, seek advice where appropriate, and work methodically to meet deadlines.
• Ability to develop good working relationships with budget holders.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of all basic functions of the Financial Management Division.
• Advanced knowledge of the use of Microsoft Excel.
• Appreciation of the overall working of the Finance Department.
• Ability to design and deliver training package.
• Car driver.

Personal qualities

• Essential: Enthusiastic and self‑motivated; ability to use own initiative and work well within a team; ability to plan own time and task management and prioritisation to meet agreed deadlines; high concentration levels for accuracy; understanding and acceptance of confidentiality; flexibility and adaptability; positive approach to change…