Assistant Finance Business Partner - Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Description

• Analyses financial data.

Job summary The post holder will be assisting with the provision of financial support to the Business Partnering function provided to a small number of Operational and Corporate Directorates. The role will involve providing high quality financial management working closely alongside the operational team to support delivery of the Trust objectives. Main duties of the job Reporting directly to the Finance Business Partner, the post holder will be a key member of the Finance Team and support the Finance Business Partner in ensuring that the use of resources is both understood and maximised. In addition the postholder may deputise for the Finance Business Partner, as appropriate, demonstrating accounting and business knowledge, providing analytical support and clear presentation of financial and other information to clinical and non-clinical colleagues. They will support with the delivery of all aspects of the financial and business performance of the Trust. This role will support with building relationships between finance and clinical and non-clinical teams in financial performance management, use of resources, cost improvement development, financial planning and education. About us At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties and Responsibilities Partnering

• Supporting the delivery of the business partnering function providing support, financial advice, and reports to management to enable them to effectively manage resources for their area of responsibility.
• Building effective relationships, internally, to inform, decision-making and outcomes.
• Support the production of multi-layer forecasts of Trust financial performance at all points in time.
• Identifies and highlights quickly and appropriately any evidence of divergence from financial plans, targets or forecasts at any level in the Trust and work with management to develop mitigations to return performance to plan/forecast.
• Support the monthly review of the Trusts financial performance at all levels within deadlines and ensure that financial performance meets targets and is fully understood and agreed by relevant stakeholders.
• Support the Deputy Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Finance to hold divisions and corporate directorate budget holders to account through formal periodic reviews of all financial performance.
• Month end

Use of Resources Resource Utilisation

• Support with elements of business case development, financial analysis and support improving the quality of business cases and expediting decision-making, implementation and benefits realisation.
• Support the monitoring of non-financial performance indicators (e.g. length of stay, theatre utilisation) to identify areas where the use of resources can be improved. Work with operational managers and clinicians to demonstrate the impact of productivity changes on financial performance.
• Support with providing information to enable the negotiation of commissioning agreements with external organisations for services provided or received to ensure that income is maximised or best value for money is achieved respectively e.g. local price reviews, PLICs/Reference costs.
• Support with benchmarking and value for money audits to ensure best practice and optimal utilisation of resources.
• Support the Trust in setting realistic and achievable waste reduction/efficiency targets and developing robust plans that ensure and maximise delivery; both on an annual basis and for the medium/long-term plans.

Governance

• Support the maintenance of the Standing Financial Instructions and internal financial control procedures to ensure these operate as designed and provide appropriate levels of assurance on accuracy, completeness and anti-fraud measures.
• In conjunction with Internal Audit, support reviews to ensure that the financial control environment is operating effectively and that information is shared with the Audit Committee for assurance purposes.
• Support with ensuring that operational and financial risks are identified and properly assessed so that adequate arrangements for managing them can be implemented.

Communication & Engagement

• The post holder may be required to present financial information to small audiences of varying experience, disciplines and seniority.
• Represent the Finance Department and its interests at internal meetings/events as required.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Develop and maintain an up to date, in depth knowledge theory and experience of financial and accounting procedures.
• Understand the consequences and risks of short and long term local service changes.
• Maintain a good understanding of Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) and ensures they are followed across the Trust, involving training and advising non finance staff and monitoring compliance. Where breaches are discovered, ensure appropriate action is taken, in compliance with Trust policies.
• Supports innovative and continuous process review and improvement for Planning and Delivery activities, to ensure that:
• Processes and procedures are up-to-date, relevant and efficient, minimising manual transactions, and delivering standardisation;
• Reporting solutions are cutting edge and effective;
• Financial systems are appropriate, efficient and effectively used; and
• Governance arrangements are aligned and adequate.
• Contributes process improvement and transformation throughout the Trust to ensure financial requirements are appropriately met and financial governance is maintained.

Learning and Development

• Commitment to improve skill levels and knowledge by participation in appropriate training and learning opportunities.
• Responsible for maintaining own professional development including being aware of new developments within the sphere of the role.
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the appraisal and personal development process.
• Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
• Attend mandatory and statutory training as required; ensuring compliance is maintained.

Other Role-Specific Duties

• As a member of the finance team, provides financial advice (as required) on all aspects of the activities and financial governance of the organisation.
• As a member of staff, the post holder will be expected to work flexibly to respond to any new projects or challenges which occur. The post holder will be able to represent their department professionally and share their knowledge and expertise.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the manager or supervisor, as the needs of the service require.

Job description
Job responsibilities Main Duties and Responsibilities Partnering

• Supporting the delivery of the business partnering function providing support, financial advice, and reports to management to enable them to effectively manage resources for their area of responsibility.
• Building effective relationships, internally, to inform, decision-making and outcomes.
• Support the production of multi-layer forecasts of Trust financial performance at all points in time.
• Identifies and highlights quickly and appropriately any evidence of divergence from financial plans, targets or forecasts at any level in the Trust and work with management to develop mitigations to return performance to plan/forecast.
• Support the monthly review of the Trusts financial performance at all levels within deadlines and ensure that financial performance meets targets and is fully understood and agreed by relevant stakeholders.
• Support the Deputy Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Finance to hold divisions and corporate directorate budget holders to account through formal periodic reviews of all financial performance.
• Month end

Use of Resources Resource Utilisation

• Support with elements of business case development, financial analysis and support improving the quality of business cases and expediting decision-making, implementation and benefits realisation.
• Support the monitoring of non-financial performance indicators (e.g. length of stay, theatre utilisation) to identify areas where the use of resources can be improved. Work with operational managers and clinicians to demonstrate the impact of productivity changes on financial performance.
• Support with providing information to enable the negotiation of commissioning agreements with external organisations for services provided or received to ensure that income is maximised or best value for money is achieved respectively e.g. local price reviews, PLICs/Reference costs.
• Support with benchmarking and value for money audits to ensure best practice and optimal utilisation of resources.
• Support the Trust in setting realistic and achievable waste reduction/efficiency targets and developing robust plans that ensure and maximise delivery; both on an annual basis and for the medium/long-term plans.

Governance

• Support the maintenance of the Standing Financial Instructions and internal financial control procedures to ensure these operate as designed and provide appropriate levels of assurance on accuracy, completeness and anti-fraud measures.
• In conjunction with Internal Audit, support reviews to ensure that the financial control environment is operating effectively and that information is shared with the Audit Committee for assurance purposes.
• Support with ensuring that operational and financial risks are identified and properly assessed so that adequate arrangements for managing them can be implemented.

Communication & Engagement

• The post holder may be required to present financial information to small audiences of varying experience, disciplines and seniority.
• Represent the Finance Department and its interests at internal meetings/events as required.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Develop and maintain an up to date, in depth knowledge theory and experience of financial and accounting procedures.
• Understand the consequences and risks of short and long term local service changes.
• Maintain a good understanding of Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) and ensures they are followed across the Trust, involving training and advising non finance staff and monitoring compliance. Where breaches are discovered, ensure appropriate action is taken, in compliance with Trust policies.
• Supports innovative and continuous process review and improvement for Planning and Delivery activities, to ensure that:
• Processes and procedures are up-to-date, relevant and efficient, minimising manual transactions, and delivering standardisation;
• Reporting solutions are cutting edge and effective;
• Financial systems are appropriate, efficient and effectively used; and
• Governance arrangements are aligned and adequate.
• Contributes process improvement and transformation throughout the Trust to ensure financial requirements are appropriately met and financial governance is maintained.

Learning and Development

• Commitment to improve skill levels and knowledge by participation in appropriate training and learning opportunities.
• Responsible for maintaining own professional development including being aware of new developments within the sphere of the role.
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the appraisal and personal development process.
• Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
• Attend mandatory and statutory training as required; ensuring compliance is maintained.

Other Role-Specific Duties

• As a member of the finance team, provides financial advice (as required) on all aspects of the activities and financial governance of the organisation.
• As a member of staff, the post holder will be expected to work flexibly to respond to any new projects or challenges which occur. The post holder will be able to represent their department professionally and share their knowledge and expertise.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role and delegated or requested by the manager or supervisor, as the needs of the service require.

Person Specification Experience/ Qualifications Essential

• AAT qualified or Foundation level professional accountancy qualification (certificate level).
• Commitment to Continuing Professional Development to the level required of a Professional Accountancy Body.
• Educated to at least degree level or experience equivalent to an honours degree or NVQ Level 5.

Desirable

• Studying for CCAB accountancy qualifications

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Thorough understanding of accounting principles (Accruals and provisions; Costing; Variance Analysis and forecasting; Budgeting and financial planning).
• Understand the relationship between the Balance Sheet, I&E and Cashflow.
• The principles of Standing Financial Instructions.
• Specialist knowledge across work procedures underpinned by theory.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the key financial performance targets for the NHS

Communication and Interpersonal Essential

• Experience effectively communicating complex financial information to non-finance managers.
• Confidence presenting financial information to a senior audience Ability to coach budget holders.
• Professional telephone manner.

Desirable

• Experience of close working relationships with senior clinicians.
• Provide teaching seminars to groups of budget holders.

Analytical and Judgemental Essential

• Analyses financial data.
• Analyses, investigates and resolves financial queries and discrepancies/complex financial queries and discrepancies.
• Complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of a range of options.

Planning and Organisational Essential

• Discuss financial queries with staff, suppliers, customers, which are often complex, including reasons for delays in payment and other sensitive issues; discusses financial issues with customers, which may be contentious; provides advice on complex financial and corporate issues to non- financial managers; negotiates with NHS, external organisations over cost, service issues.
• Understand the short and medium term objectives for the department.
• Ability to set priorities to ensure operational objectives are met within a deadline.
• Ability to work on a diverse set of projects at one time and to meet imposed deadlines.

Financial Essential

• Experience in a financial management role

Information and Communication Technology Essential

• High level of competence in spreadsheets, including use of macros and interrogation of databases. Ability to use Word and PowerPoint.
• Input information and extract it from a finance system such as Oracle GL and understand how it is supported.
• Understand how IT systems can be used for informing planning and monitoring.

Desirable

• Understand how IT systems can be used for informing planning and monitoring.

People Management and Development Essential

• Ability to work calmly under pressure

Freedom to Act Essential

• Clearly defined occupational policies, work is managed, rather than supervised.
• Works within policies and procedures, work is managed not supervised.

EDI Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Person Specification
Experience/ Qualifications Essential

• AAT qualified or Foundation level professional accountancy qualification (certificate level).
• Commitment to Continuing Professional Development to the level required of a Professional Accountancy Body.
• Educated to at least degree level or experience equivalent to an honours degree or NVQ Level 5.

Desirable

• Studying for CCAB accountancy qualifications

Knowledge and Experience Essential

• Thorough understanding of accounting principles (Accruals and provisions; Costing; Variance Analysis and forecasting; Budgeting and financial planning).
• Understand the relationship between the Balance Sheet, I&E and Cashflow.
• The principles of Standing Financial Instructions.
• Specialist knowledge across work procedures underpinned by theory.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the key financial performance targets for the NHS

Communication and Interpersonal Essential

• Experience effectively communicating complex financial information to non-finance managers.
• Confidence presenting financial information to a senior audience Ability to coach budget holders.
• Professional telephone manner.

Desirable

• Experience of close working relationships with senior clinicians.
• Provide teaching seminars to groups of budget holders.

Analytical and Judgemental Essential

• Analyses financial data.
• Analyses, investigates and resolves financial queries and discrepancies/complex financial queries and discrepancies.
• Complex facts or situations requiring analysis, interpretation, comparison of a range of options.

Planning and Organisational Essential

• Discuss financial queries with staff, suppliers, customers, which are often complex, including reasons for delays in payment and other sensitive issues; discusses financial issues with customers, which may be contentious; provides advice on complex financial and corporate issues to non- financial managers; negotiates with NHS, external organisations over cost, service issues.
• Understand the short and medium term objectives for the department.
• Ability to set priorities to ensure operational objectives are met within a deadline.
• Ability to work on a diverse set of projects at one time and to meet imposed deadlines.

Financial Essential

• Experience in a financial management role

Information and Communication Technology Essential

• High level of competence in spreadsheets, including use of macros and interrogation of databases. Ability to use Word and PowerPoint.
• Input information and extract it from a finance system such as Oracle GL and understand how it is supported.
• Understand how IT systems can be used for informing planning and monitoring.

Desirable

• Understand how IT systems can be used for informing planning and monitoring.

People Management and Development Essential

• Ability to work calmly under pressure

Freedom to Act Essential

• Clearly defined occupational policies, work is managed, rather than supervised.
• Works within policies and procedures, work is managed not supervised.

EDI Essential

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Disclosure and Barring Service Check This 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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. . Additional information
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. . Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Address Worthing Hospital or St Richards Hospital or St Mary's Hall Worthing, Chichester or Brighton BN11 2DH Employer's website #J-18808-Ljbffr