Job vacancy: Support Accountant, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust, Norwich

Job summary

Main area: Finance - Support Accountant
Grade: Band 3/4
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday-Friday)
Job ref: 839-6436949-RB

Employer: Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Norwich Community Hospital
Town: Norwich
Salary: £22,816 - £27,596 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 15/07/2024 23:59

Support Accountant

Band 3/4

NCH&C is proud to be the first standalone NHS community trust in the UK to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our focus is on continually improving the quality of care we offer to local people and on improving access to that care, helping people to move seamlessly from one service to another. Praising NCH&C’s “compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership at all levels”, the CQC observed that our staff are well supported to make positive changes and innovations.

Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is committed to continuing to create a modern and inclusive work environment. As part of this commitment we actively promote flexible working opportunities where possible, to meet the needs and wishes of our workforce to maintain and improve their wellbeing. The trust offers a range of flexibility, including flexible working patterns, and we would encourage you to discuss this with the recruiting manager before or during the application process if this would interest you.

We welcome applications from people who share our values and can help us deliver outstanding care in our local community.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Management Accounting

To raise any invoices attributable to the assigned Business Unit(s).
To assist the Business Unit(s) in achieving its Better Payment Policy (BPP) targets, by reviewing reports and liaising with authorisers/suppliers to resolve any issues on a weekly basis.
To calculate and enter transactions in the general ledger as required.
To undertake complex analysis of and provide commentary on the Business Unit(s) assigned to him/her in accordance with the monthly timetable.
To assist in ensuring the Business Unit(s) meets its budget review compliance target by liaising with budget managers on a monthly basis.
To prepare internal recharges for the usage of temporary staff and other costs to be shared across Business Units.
To assist in preparation of returns to external bodies as required for review by the Finance Business Partner/Deputy Business Partner.
To assist in the production of accurate financial reports under the guidance of the Finance Business Partner/Deputy Business Partner for the Business Unit(s) assigned to him/her in accordance with the monthly timetable.
To assist in preparation of the annual budget and forecasts for the assigned Business Unit(s) in accordance with the departmental framework and timetable.
To assist staff within the Business Unit(s) when required to ensure that the Business Unit’s financial affairs are conducted in accordance with the Trust’s prevailing financial procedures and controls which are in operation.

Financial Accounting

To maintain financial controls including the Authorised Signatory Database and accounting hierarchy.
To issue budget statements to Budget Managers across the organisation in accordance with the monthly timetable.
To reconcile and clear suspense accounts in liaison with management accounting in line with monthly reporting timetables.
To liaise with payroll in order to identify salary overpayments and take appropriate action to ensure that monies are recovered in line with the Trust policy.
To deal with overpayments queries (which may be complex), investigating and providing advice to staff in order to facilitate payment.
To administer the financial arrangements of the Trust’s car leasing, including preparation of P3’s and coding of lease invoices.
To reconcile the Trust’s balance sheet accounts for salary deductions, including lease cars.
To calculate and enter transactions for the Trust and charitable funds in the general ledger as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Evidence of solid attainment in general education. Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent) grade A-C/9-4
NVQ Level 4/AAT Technician Level or equivalent experience - Band 4 only

Desirable criteria

A willingness to studying towards an accountancy qualification (e.g. AAT)

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience of working in a finance environment with knowledge of reconciliations, double entry book-keeping, payables, receivables and financial systems

Desirable criteria

Experience of management accounting within the public sector

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential criteria

Good communication skills. Ability to communicate with internal and external managers
Good technical skills and use of IT systems, particularly MS Excel
Team player with an ability to work closely with others
Advanced Keyboard Skills

Desirable criteria

Ability to communicate with all levels of staff
Experience in use of Integra and ESR

Knowledge/Understanding

Essential criteria

Knowledge of financial and accounting procedures
Using Information Technology
Ensures that financial information provided to others is accurate, timely and useful.

Values/Attributes

Essential criteria

Motivated and able to prioritise own workload
Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Able to identify with the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults

Other

Essential criteria

Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language

Equal Opportunities - We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. Additionally, people with disabilities that fall under the Disability Confident Scheme will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification). All sites are Smoke Free.

Immigration Status - Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is a diverse employer and welcomes all job applications. However, potential applicants should note that although the Trust is registered with the Home Office as a sponsor organisation for migrant workers, sponsorship can only be offered against Skilled Worker visas. If you are an applicant from outside the UK and do not already hold a self-gained right to work, we recommend you check the Home Office eligibility requirements before making an application.

Please note: Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for some job roles, and this will be identified through filtering questions at the start of any job application on the Trac recruitment system.

Redeployment - Please note that in the first instance priority for this vacancy will be given to NCH&C staff who are on the Trusts Redeployment Register.

DBS - If this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and you are not a current employee of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust or being recruited as an Apprentice then the cost of the DBS check will be automatically removed from your first month’s salary. However if you are registered with the update service this may not be required.

Closing and Interview Dates -This vacancy may close early if sufficient applicants are received.

Data Protection - A privacy notice detailing how we will handle your data is attached to this advert as a document. Your application will be transferred to our recruitment management system (Trac) once the advert has closed and you will receive notification then detailing how Trac will handle your data.