Assistant Management Accountant

Job summary Are you someone looking to start a career in one of the UKs most respected mental health trusts?
Would you like to do a job that makes a difference every day?
An excellent opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and flexible professional to join our finance team as an Assistant Management Accountant working within the Management Accounts function.As an Assistant Management Accountant within the Management Accounts function, you will be required to assist the Management Accountants and Senior Management Accountants with preparing month end and year end accounts, annual budgets,and providing support to budget holders and business cases as required.
Main duties of the job You will have demonstrable financial experience across awide range of areas, including management and financial accounting, and be ableto confidently apply the principles of double-entry book-keeping.
You need tobe comfortable handling and manipulating large datasets accurately and oftensimultaneously, and ideally your experience will have been gained in a largemulti-faceted organisation.The role is busy and you will often be required to workunder pressure and to tight deadlines, so we expect you will be self-motivated,and be able to work independently, as well as working as part of a team.If you are an energetic team player, and feelyou have the skills and values to join our friendly, outward looking, proactiveand award-winning team, we look forward to hearing from you.
About us Devon Partnership Trust is one of the UK's most progressive mental health and learning disability trusts, providing services across Devon and Bristol.Working as part of the Trust, you will make a difference to peoples' lives from the moment you start.
Job description Job responsibilities 1.
To support the finance team and operational Managers in provision of datarequests, reconciliations and reports in a timely manner, ensuring financialinformation is processed in accordance with procedures and in order to provideinformation for statutory returns.2.
Assist with the maintenance, input, updating and reconciliation ofcomputerised budgetary control systems.
This involves developing spreadsheetsand databases for specific purposes and undertaking enquiries on severalfinancial based systems.
The post requires using a computer on a daily basiswith speed and accuracy.3.
To deputise for finance colleagues at meetings etc.
when required.4.
Assist in all aspects of supplying financial information to keystakeholders including non-financial staff when requested.
This will includevariance analysis, analysis of pay and non-pay, evaluating a range of options,supporting business cases, directorate performance reporting etc.
This willinvolve providing and receiving complex and contentious information, some ofwhich may be sensitive.5.
Meet with relevant stakeholders on an on-going basis advising on thecurrent financial position.
This may involve travel between different sites.6.
Working as a finance team, adopting a task-based approach to workload,which will be co-ordinated by Senior Accountants and Accountants.7.
To ensure every process has an accurate procedure note that can beinterpreted by both finance and non-finance colleagues.8.
To provide guidance and interpretation of the Trusts FinancialProcedures, Scheme of Delegation, Standing Orders and Standing FinancialInstructions where necessary.9.
Manage own time and workload in accordance with monthly / annual andad-hoc timetables, ensuring all deadlines are met on a timely basis.10.
To deliver informal training to work colleagues and non-finance staffon a range of subjects related to own area and a range of general procedures.11.
Contribute to the effectiveness of accounting systems, processes andprocedures and make recommendations to reduce costs and enhance value.12.
Undertake other duties as agreed with the Accountants, SeniorAccountants, Assistant Director of Finance.13.
Line management of Finance Assistants(Bands 2, 3 or 4) where relevant.14.
To attend and contribute to both the wider finance team developmentssuch as attendance of away days, the annual Budget Holders Conference etc.Separately, to contribute to non-finance communications such as the BudgetHolders Newsletter etc.The role will have the following duties and responsibilities: Communication & Working Relationships Advise managers on financial queries in connection with their performance which may be contentious.Provide support primarily to the finance team which will involve working with all levels of staff across the wider finance team.Respond appropriately to queries, investigating all areas of concern, within an agreed timescale, thereby maintaining good working relationships.Deputise for the respective Accountant as appropriate.Discuss sensitive issues and communicate performance issues relating to staff.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills Analyse and interpret financial queries and analyse detailed data to identify errors and discrepancies.Carry out complex financial calculations.
Planning & Organisational Skills Assist in the provision of financial support to managers in relation to their core areas as set out above for each assistant accountant.Prepare, plan and monitor core areas of work within the annual planning process.
Carry out periodic reviews to reflect current operational practice, in conjunction with respective Accountants and managers.Assist in the production of the Trusts statutory accounts and of routinely reconciled control accounts.Plan and manage own work within weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial timetables.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy The postholder will occasionally be required to answer queries from patients/members of the public on general financial issues.
Responsibility for Policy / Service Development Analyse variances and interpret results.
Work with respective Accountants in the production of monthly financial reports with the aim of providing accurate year-end projections.Support the respective Accountant / Senior Accountants in ensuring that the Trusts financial procedures and policies are in place, communicated to other staff and adhered to at all times.Undertake project work within the team ( business cases, analysing the cost implications of developments) whether to support the objective of the Finance Department or the Directorates.Work with the finance team on corporate projects designed to improve the efficiency of the Trust.Create and develop reports and documents, particularly financial spreadsheets.Propose changes to working practices and procedures and implement procedures set by others.
Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources Provide guidance to other members of the finance team as appropriate.
Responsibility for Human Resources Allocate work and day to day management to Finance Assistants (Bands 2, 3 or 4), where required, including induction training for staff.
Assist with recruitment, appraisal, discipline, training and delegation of tasks where required.
Responsibility for Information Resources Input financial data into computerised and paper databases/systems.Create financial spreadsheets.
Responsibility for Research and Development On a continuous basis the post-holder is required to review, adapt and contribute to the design of financial systems to enhance the performance of the team and the Trust.
Freedom to Act Work within policies and procedures.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent) AAT Qualified or equivalent accounting experience Knowledge Desirable Knowledge of NHS finance Knowledge of ledger systems/accounting strategy and budgetary control processes Experience Essential Accounting experience three years IT literate including extensive use of Word and Excel Desirable Line management experience Communication skills Essential Good communication skills both verbal and written Ability to explain finance information to non-finance managers Analytical and Judgement skills Essential Good analytical skills Ability to interpret financial information Desirable Logical approach to problem solving Planning and Organising skills Essential Manage own workload within agreed parameters and deadlines Other Desirable Regular reliable method of transport and mobility throughout the area