Finance Manager - Financial Accounting

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Annual Accounts

• Operational lead on the production of the ICBs accounts in accordance with the timetables and deadlines set by NHS England.
• Set internal timetables and plans to meet the accounts deadlines and ensure everyone involved in the process understands their role in the process. This will include staff within other finance teams and officers outside of the organisation.
• Liaise closely with the Corporate Services Team in the production of the Accountability Report of the Annual Report and ensure consistency of financial information contained within it.
• Oversee the Agreement of Balances process.
• Operational lead for liaising with the ICB’s appointed external auditors on their audit of the accounts, ensuring all required information is provided and any queries dealt with in a timely and accurate manner.
• Communication with external auditors to seek agreement on all accounting and financial governance matters. Responsible for the provision of information to support the external auditors in their review of the annual accounts. Ensure that all audit recommendations are implemented and complied with within the agreed timescales.

Financial Services

• Leading and managing the team delivering the financial services elements of the ICB: Purchase to Pay, Order to Cash and Accounting to Reporting.
• Overseeing Purchase to Pay (P2P) and eProcurement function providing a comprehensive efficient service that includes raising electronic requisitions, the generation and despatch of purchase orders and invoice payment.
• Leading the team responsible for cash management and accounts receivable/debt management.
• Continuously improve the financial systems and processes to ensure good governance, stewardship, controls and cost-effective use of resources at all times.

Other Financial Accounting

• Provide specialist and expert advice, in conjunction with external advisers, on VAT matters and ensure accurate and timely completion of VAT returns.
• Assist HMRC on queries relating to VAT or payment of PAYE/NI as required and provide support during any inspection visits.
• Advise on off-payroll arrangements and any processes required to meet HMRC or Treasury requirements.
• Ensure the Balance Sheet is being monitored monthly and that all required reconciliations are being carried out and reviewed in accordance with Financial Control Procedures.
• Review Financial Control Procedures for all areas within the remit of this post and update as required.
• Review processes, and implement improvements where necessary, to increase the efficiency of producing financial accounting information and provide increased business intelligence to users of the information. This will include making best use of Qlik or other reporting tools as necessary.
• Assist in the production of monthly monitoring returns for submission to NHS England.
• Participate in ISFE Oracle User Groups and provide expert advice as required.
• Provide advice on the application and interpretation of Accounting Standards and their potential or actual financial impact on the Health Board.
• Liaise with internal audit on all reviews relevant to the duties of this post and ensure agreed recommendations are implemented.

Reporting

• Assist in production of regular, and ad-hoc, ICB and ICS returns.
• Production of the ICB’s statutory annual accounts in accordance with national NHS guidelines and preparation of robust supporting documentation.
• To be responsible for the production and maintenance of the Register of Losses and Compensations in line with NHSE guidance and Trust procedures and preparing reports for Audit Committee.
• Oversee the input and manipulation of financial databases and spreadsheets, where concentration, speed and accuracy are necessary, including monthly statistics for debtors and creditors to feed the month end and Board reports.
• Oversee the reporting of the ICB’s corporate/running costs. To include forecasting/modelling scenarios and associated financial risks.

Counter Fraud

• Work with the ICB’s Local Counter Fraud Service to support and promote fraud prevention work across the ICB.
• Promoting and embedding an awareness of fraud, bribery and corruption across the organisation

Staff Management

• Line manager for staff, including the management of leave and sickness in accordance with ICB policies and procedures.
• Setting objectives and monitoring how those objectives are being met.
• Responsible for performance management of staff, including undertaking appraisals in accordance with ICB policy, ensuring the staff have up to date development plans and that such plans are actioned appropriately.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff where necessary for the performance of their roles.
• Ensure that staff are working to core competencies, including those associated with mandatory training, which are regularly assessed and appropriate to the service.
• Ensure all appropriate Health and Safety requirements are observed within the team, particularly those relating to ergonomics given the extensive use of computer equipment required to perform their duties.
• Support the head of department to manage, build and improve the capability and capacity of the finance team.
• Plan the workload for own team of staff, considering priorities, capacity and ability.
• Support cover arrangements for finance team peers during periods of leave.

Ad-Hoc

• Deputise for the Head of Operational Finance, when required, on relevant aspects including preparation of reports and preparation of the ICB’s financial information as required.
• Undertake other work commensurate with the level and seniority of the post.
• Adhere to the finance team values and guiding principles, demonstrated through positive behaviours.