Head of Financial accounts

The main purpose of the Head of Financial Services is to provide senior leadership for the Trust’s financial accounting, statutory reporting, treasury, working capital, capital accounting, charitable funds accounting and core financial systems.

The postholder will ensure robust financial control, accurate statutory and regulatory reporting, effective audit assurance, and compliance with IFRS, NHS guidance, tax requirements and national timetables.

They will provide expert technical advice, lead and develop the Financial Services Team, drive continuous improvement in financial systems and processes, and deputise for the Deputy Chief Finance Officer when required.

Location: Surrey

Job Type: Temporary 

Duration of booking: Expected to last 3 months with possible extension

Proposed start date: ASAP

Pay Rates:  £46.34 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay

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

Sector: Healthcare 

Based: Office / Hospital

Main duties and key responsibilities

Communication & Professional Leadership

• Provide expert financial and technical accounting advice to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Present clear reports, briefings and assurance information, highlighting key risks and actions.

Statutory Accounts & Technical Accounting

• Lead annual accounts, statutory returns and audit preparation.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, DHSC guidance, NHS requirements and taxation rules.
• Advise on complex accounting, VAT, IFRS 16 and charitable funds.

Financial Control & Reporting

• Maintain robust financial controls, reconciliations, ledgers and statement of financial position records.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting, audit evidence and statutory disclosures.
• Treasury, Cash & Working Capital
• Lead cash, treasury, receivables, payables and working capital management.
• Oversee cash forecasting, banking, PDC drawdowns, credit control and treasury controls.

Capital Planning & Accounting

• Lead capital planning, forecasting, accounting and reporting, including the five-year capital programme.
• Advise on investment, affordability, funding, risk and value for money.
• Oversee fixed assets, business cases and capital governance.
• Financial Systems & Improvement
• Lead financial systems, controls, data quality and reporting interfaces.
• Drive process improvement, automation, efficiency and stronger controls.

Business Support & Advice

• Provide expert financial advice on business cases, investment, service development and Trust-wide planning.
• Manage key relationships with auditors, NHS bodies, HMRC, banks and other partners.
• Escalate financial risks and deputise for the Deputy Chief Finance Officer as required.

Policy & Governance

• Develop and maintain Financial Services policies, procedures, controls and strategy.
• Ensure changes in accounting, NHS and taxation requirements are understood and implemented.

Essential 

• CCAB/CIMA qualified accountant with current professional membership and evidence of ongoing CPD.
• Master’s degree or equivalent specialist knowledge gained through substantial post-qualification experience.
• Significant senior finance leadership experience within the NHS.
• Experience leading Financial Services/financial accounting across statutory reporting, treasury, working capital, capital accounting, financial control and financial systems.
• Strong experience in annual accounts, technical accounting, audit, financial control and month/year-end closedown.
• Experience of capital planning, forecasting, investment appraisal and financial reporting.
• Experience supporting strategic business cases, option appraisals and major investment decisions.
• Ability to present complex financial analysis and recommendations to Executive, Board and senior clinical/operational stakeholders.
• Experience delivering change, transformation, process improvement and automation.
• Experience overseeing core financial systems, including governance, controls, data quality and business continuity.

Knowledge & skills 

• Expert knowledge of NHS financial accounting, statutory reporting, IFRS and the DHSC Group Accounting Manual.
• Strong knowledge of financial controls, statement of financial position governance, reconciliations, segregation of duties, systems controls and audit assurance.
• Strong understanding of treasury, working capital, capital accounting, fixed assets, taxation and NHS regulatory requirements.
• Advanced skills in financial forecasting, modelling and sensitivity analysis across cash, capital and working capital.
• Knowledge of business case development, investment appraisal and strategic decision-making.
• Ability to analyse complex financial, activity, workforce and operational information to support decision-making.