Job summaryFinancial AccountantDepartment: Financial Services TeamBand 7 £43,742-£50,056 per annum, pro-rata if part-timeHours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible workingAn exciting opportunity has arisen for a Financial Accountant role within the Financial Services Team at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS FT. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic, highly motivated individual, who is an excellent team player, to support the Financial Services function.The suitable candidate will be a professionally qualified accountant or actively studying towards a CCAB qualification and have experience of working in Financial Services. Previous experience of working in a public sector organisation and experience of the NHS is highly desirable.The position reports to the Deputy Financial Controller, and the role covers the production of accurate and timely financial reports and information throughout the year, which enable the requirements of the monthly, quarterly and annual financial cycles to be met.Interview date: 17th June 2024Main duties of the jobThe compilation and completion of relevant forecasts, and the maintenance, monitoring and development of the forecasts throughout the year liaising with colleagues over reporting. This will ultimately culminate in the production of the Trusts annual accounts, the Trust subsidiary (ADMK Ltd) accounts and the Trust charity accounts.Organisation and planning of a number of complex activities work within the Financial Accounting function including the setting of priorities and targets.The post holder will be required to assist in the completion of the Trusts statutory accounts, monthly PFR returns, long term cash flow forecast & AOB exercise, and in the completion of the Trust subsidiary and charity accounts.Lead on the development and production of robust working papers for the Trust in year and Annual Accounts and for the Trust Subsidiary and Charity Accounts under the relevant accounting standards.Responsible for the management of the Trust's provisions in accordance with IAS 37 this includes the annual valuation of the Trust's Pension and Injury Benefit provisions using GAD tables and the application of the prevailing discount rate.In addition, the post holder will oversee the completion and review of the Trust and subsidiary VAT return, undertake effective monitoring of the Balance Sheet and support the process for ensuring the Trust, subsidiary and charity follows appropriate Standing Financial Instructions.About usYou can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:Free on-site parkingFree tea and coffeeGreat flexible workingopportunitiesDiscounted gym membershipLease car schemeGenerous annual leave and pension schemeOn site nursery (chargeable)Extensive staff health and well-being programmeMilton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe Financial Services Team includes capital, charity, subsidiary, accounts payable/receivable, treasury, governance and statutory returns.The post holder will be a highly driven, enthusiastic and energetic individual with management experience and an excellent knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards and accounting processes and procedures, excellent Excel skills and the ability to interpret, apply & provide practical guidance on relevant accounting standards.Financial AccountingLead on the planning and production of the working papers and TAC schedules for the trusts statutory in year and annual accounts, in line with International Financial Reporting Standards and applying NHS guidelines as set out by NHSILead on populating the monthly NHSI PFR returns in line with submission deadlinesCharity AccountsResponsible for the planning, production and submission of the Charity statutory year end accounts in line with Charity Commission regulations and deadlines and ensure they comply with relevant accounting policies.Responsible for producing and providing information for the Trust annual plan relating to charitable fund activities, including any revisions required throughout the year.Subsidiary ADMK LtdSuccessful planning, production and submission of the Subsidiary statutory year end accounts and ensure they comply with FRS 102 accounting standards.Responsible for calculating and submitting the subsidiary corporation tax returns, ensuring that relevant submission software is available and up to date, sourcing and procuring updates to this where required.Staff ManagementTo devise and implement training programmes to support staff development for finance staff this training will cover all aspects of Financial Accounting activities in respect of financial systems and policies. The post holder will also be expected to allocate departmental workload, regularly review performance against defined objectives assist as a panel member in staff recruitment and undertake appraisalsTo train staff in finance related departmental policies and procedures and to participate in Trust wide training and communication initiativesCommunicationRegularly receive and provide highly complex information to senior managers and staff of the TrustProlonged concentration is required when checking and reconciling information, setting up spreadsheets, undertaking calculations and answering queries.This is a hybrid role, requiring 2 days per week on site in Milton Keynes. There may be more time required on site initially for training purposes.Please refer to Job Description for further detailsMKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices. We promote an inclusive workforce and encourage applications from applicants from all backgrounds.We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.Person SpecificationQualifications and knowledgeEssentialEducated to degree level in a relevant subject (e.g. accountancy or financial discipline) or equivalent knowledge and experience.Professional CCAB Accountant qualification finalist/part qualifiedUp-to-date knowledge and experience of financial reporting Standards.ExperienceEssentialExperience of producing annual accounts in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards [IFRS] and statutory requirements.Able to ensure target dates are adhered to through organisation of own workload.Demonstrate excellent communication skills, and be able to communicate both verbally and in writing complex, technical, sensitive or contentious financial information, to Finance Managers and Committees.In depth knowledge of financial and accounting procedures.Significant experience of capital accounting using a capital asset system including provision of working papers for statutory accounts.Through significant experience, demonstrate excellent Financial Analysis and Interpretation skills including an ability interpret complex data and provide summarized information to a range of users.Expert analytical and reasoning skills supported by attention to detail and the ability manage and manipulate vast quantities of dataDemonstrable experience of liaising with Internal and External Auditors.Experience of managing, motivating and developing staffDesirableSome relevant experience of working in an NHS organization.Production of NHS accounts.Advanced IT literacy with experience of using Oracle accounting system including Business Intelligence reporting.Experience of NHS VAT rulesSkillsEssentialProven ability to prioritise and delegate in a demanding environment and to tight deadlinesStrong analytical, financial reporting, and presentation skills with the ability to present complex issues clearly and conciselyThe desire to accept ownership and accountability, whilst getting things done well and meeting challenging goalsThe ability to think ahead and decide on courses of action, ensuring that the resources required to implement the action will be available, and scheduling work required to achieve an end resultSkills for managing people ensuring they perform to a high standard and meet team objectives and deadlines.Ability to demonstrate initiative and analyse areas of work to identify those which would benefit from continuous improvement.Able to interpret guidelines and implement appropriate changes to working practices.Strong IT skills particularly spreadsheetsPrepared to challenge and be challenged.Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service depending on monthly, quarterly and annual cycles.Personal and people developmentEssentialThe ability to originate, introduce and be open to, new practices, concepts, ideas and change and to continuously improve.Be able to manage time effectively, prioritise and deliver to agreed deadlinesBe prepared to constructively question and challenge the performance of team members, and other stakeholdersFrequent requirement for concentration when inputting data, checking and reconciling information, making calculations and when answering queries from staff, audit and managersOften required to switch tasks at short notice.Frequent requirement for prolonged concentration when analysing complex data and preparing reportsLeads by example and instils a team approach to workload.CommunicationEssentialExcellent interpersonal skillsThe ability to work co-operatively and flexibly with others, both within and outside the organisation, demonstrating an understanding of effective team working and partnershipsGood communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.Ability to represent Finance at internal meetingsAbility to explain complex financial terminology to both finance and non-finance colleaguesSpecific requirementsEssentialAble to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptationsProactive, flexible, enthusiastic, confident and highly motivated individual who demonstrates a commitment to Trust objectives and the NHS as a wholeDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameMilton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustAddressFinance - Financial Services (Dept)Milton KeynesMK6 5LDEmployer's websitehttps://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)