Capital Accountant

Job Type: Temporary

Sector: Healthcare 

Duration: Ongoing at this point  

Location: North West of Central London

Hybrid Working: 2 days a week in the office  

Remote Working: Not permitted 

Pay Rate:  £22.85 PAYE Inclusive of Holiday Pay 

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

Job Summary 

Reporting to the Senior Financial Accountant, the Capital Accountant will be responsible for the completion of routine monthly and quarterly capital accounting reports for the Trust. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Completion of capital schedules within statutory financial returns such as Annual Accounts and Summarisation Schedules, for review by the Working Capital & Treasury Manager, Financial Controller and Deputy Finance Director.
• Completion of monthly VAT returns for submission to HMRC following review by the Senior Financial Accountant and Financial Controller.
• Complete schedules for inclusion in the monthly Board Report.
• Take a supporting role across the Trust with regard to financial advice as it relates to capital and VAT matters and advise of the impact of accounting policy changes in both areas.
• Responsible for the production and implementation of effective, accurate and timely financial reporting, project planning, and project monitoring.
• Ensure that a robust and compliant system of capital accounting is maintained across all ledgers and departments at all times. 
• To ensure that comprehensive procedure notes are available which detail the tasks that are routinely undertaken by the Capital Accountant. These will be referenced to the monthly closedown timetable.
• Ensure that reconciliations between the General Ledger and Fixed Asset Register by asset type are accurately completed on a monthly basis. Reconciliations of capital debtors and capital creditors will also be updated on a monthly basis.
• Ensure that all equipment schedules maintained by directorates are consistent with the Fixed Asset Register where capitalised and monitored closely for non-capital items.  Develop and maintain a single integrated schedule and document processes for maintaining this.
• To calculate depreciation charges monthly, and lead in calculating depreciation figures for annual budgets and forecasts. 
• Assist project owners with the preparation of business cases for new projects, including formulating and challenging assumptions, and providing financial advice throughout.
• Coordinate the annual budget-setting process as it relates to capital expenditure, working with project owners and Finance stakeholders to bring formal proposals to the Capital Planning & Oversight Group and other Trust bodies within specified timescales.
• Track capital expenditure against budget and prepare the monthly Capital Expenditure Report for distribution. The Capital Accountant will attend the meetings of the Capital Planning & Oversight Group and update the capital budget to reflect changes.
• Provide monthly project and invoice-level updates for distribution to project owners.
• Ensure that the VAT treatment of each capital project is established prior to the project commencing, and that all parties understand and comply with documentation and other procedures necessary for claims to HMRC.
• To review the Trust’s monthly VAT returns and ensuring they are submitted on time. The post holder will also keep abreast of VAT changes and the potential impact on the Trust and communicate this to colleagues where necessary.

Education / Qualifications

• The post holder must be a fully qualified member of a CCAB body or studying towards such a qualification and be actively undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Experience

• Working within a healthcare environment 
• Extensive experience of capital accounting from a management and statutory perspective, and of internal and external audit liaison.
• Thorough experience and up to date knowledge of IFRS accounting standards and internal financial controls as they relate to capital and taxation.
• Up to date knowledge of other IFRS accounting standards and internal financial controls.
• Familiarity with integrated financial IT systems.
• Extensive knowledge of VAT regulations.

Skills/Abilities

• Good analytical skills will be required to allow the rapid interpretation of complex pieces of information within a short timescale. This could typically include the review of project plans and forecasts, as well as interpretation of accounting standards and principles.
• Analyses problems relating to business case production and analysis, with a multiplicity of objectives. Makes judgements regarding the allocation of finances, financial decisions and risk.
• Provides and receives complex, sensitive or contentious information in a receptive and professional manner in order to achieve the agreement or cooperation required.
• Presents complex, sensitive or contentious information to internal colleagues.
• The post holder may sometimes need to communicate policy changes or changes in practice to others in the organisation and must therefore possess good communication skills. 
• The post holder will be capable of working independently. 
• Good presentational and interpersonal skills.
• Good oral and written skills.
• Competence in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Personal Qualities

• Able to work under pressure and to plan and prioritize workload effectively.
• Professional and reputation for integrity.
• Flexible and supportive work colleague.
• Tenacity and resilience.
• Hard working and reliable.