Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To assist in the production and monitoring of budgets, in accordance with guidelines and agreed deadlines. 

This includes:

• Support in the production of Management Information with particular emphasis on Month end Management Accounts and Annual Budgets.
• To process and account for documents relating to Management Information in line with the Trusts Financial Procedures.  This includes having sufficient supporting evidence for a full audit trail.   Investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• To assist Management in meeting  Statutory Obligations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Divisional and Departmental Managers to position the Finance Department as a trusted advisory service.
• Provide the Assistant Management Accountant/Team Leader with the necessary information to build and maintain good relationships with external bodies. This includes addressing user needs, such as funding issues, and ensuring income is received by raising invoices when needed.
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• Assist with the daily systems administration of the Department and plan your workload to ensure routine tasks (daily, weekly, monthly) are completed accurately and on schedule in accordance with timetables.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of the Team and processes.

Budgetary Control

• To prepare all supporting documentation for  the Trusts budget setting process. Ensuring that all relevant factors are incorporated.  To attend meetings with Divisional Managers and Department Heads to agree rolling budgets and ensure that Cost Pressures for the coming year are highlighted and costed throughout the overall process.
• To ensure timely and accurate delivery of Budget Statements for specific areas ensuring that the information is accurately presented.
• To identify Cost Pressures within the Division on a monthly basis and report them to the  Finance Business Partner.
• To be aware of any business cases that might be arising and report to the Finance Business Partner.
• To ensure that Divisional Managers receive reported information in a timely manner and to arrange and attend meetings with  Managers to discuss any areas of concern that have occurred or may occur over the course of the financial year, with the support of the Team Leader. .
• Ensure newly appointed Budget Holders are directed to the finance training sessions that are provided by the wider finance team, of which the postholder will play a part in delivery.

Financial Management

•   Maintain and update the establishment budgets, ensuring Divisional Managers stay within their specified budgets. Provide guidance on how available budgets can be used and any limitations.  Using TRAC as an Establishment Control tool. Carrying out workforce checks to ensure that the budgets reconcile at all times.
• To ensure that the Standing Financial Instructions of the Trust are followed by the Directorate Managers.
• Document significant variances in expenditure and ad hoc income monthly and report them to the Finance Business Partner. Recommend solutions to ensure the Trust stays within its agreed control total.
• Complete and comment on various reports explaining variances for the Head of Reporting and Processing to prepare the monthly Board Papers.
• Provide information for the Performance Monitoring Meetings. Highlighting Cost Pressures and any other issues that need to be discussed by the Clinical Director, Divisional Managers and the Director of Finance.
• Attend ad hoc meetings with the Senior Finance Team to explain the financial position of the Division. Ensuring that any queries that have been raised by Senior Financial Managers are answered.
• Organise and participate in monthly meetings with Divisional Managers to review their financial position at the end of each month. Provide advice and recommendations on effective budget utilisation for the financial year, including cost analysis and decision-making support
• Produce figures to support Divisional ad-hoc returns when required.