Deputy Head of Financial Management

The post holder supports the leadership of the Financial Management function, deputising for the Head of Financial Management as required. They will contribute to the development and delivery of the annual financial plan, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and accounting standards., Key responsibilities include assisting in producing accurate monthly reports, forecasts, and year-end projections, monitoring financial performance, and supporting delivery of financial targets and savings programmes. The role involves preparing Board reports and external returns, and providing clear financial analysis and advice to senior managers and clinicians. Working closely with Divisional teams, the post holder will support business planning, service developments, and business cases, while identifying and mitigating financial risks. The postholder will assist in supporting staff development and continuous improvement, and ensure strong financial governance, including audit compliance. Effective communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders are essential., Financial Management & Planning The post holder is responsible for assisting in the production of the financial plans for the Trust and financial returns in accordance with national NHSE guidance and timescales, ensuring that financial processes are robust and comply with statutory requirements, Trust policies and procedures, and departmental protocols. To ensure that the Accounts and Notes are completed in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and meet external audit guidelines and best practice. To assist in the development and implementation of strategies aimed at improving financial management for use by managers at all levels of the Trust. To assist in the co-ordination of the production of accurate and timely monthly financial monitoring information to support decision making at all levels of management within the Trust, including reporting of overall financial forecasts Maintain a comprehensive overview of the progress of financial plans ensuring linkages are made between finance and other key plans such as capacity and workforce. To work with Directors and Senior Managers to assist in the delivery of the planned financial position of the Trust each year. This will be achieved through regular formal financial performance reviews and supported by the production of accurate and timely monthly financial information for reports to the Board of Directors, Board Sub Committees and Divisions. To link with the PLICS team to ensure their reports are used at divisional level to improve financial performance. To assist in the interpretation of information provided by the Financial Management Team and to provide advice to the Trust Board members. To assist in the production of the Financial Board Reports on a monthly basis. To assist with ensuring that the Financial Management team has written procedures in place covering key aspects of the budgetary monitoring and control system. Ensure that accurate year-end forecasts are prepared and underlying assumptions are made clear, including reserves. To ensure financial reports to the Board are best practice and monitor compliance. Provide commentaries on financial plans and the regular monitoring reports to the Trust Board and external stakeholders. Working with the other colleagues to assist in identifying and recommending mitigations against any financial risk which may compromise achievements of financial plans. To assist in the production of an annual plan and monthly returns The role will include assisting in developing and monitoring financial systems to ensure efficiency and effectiveness and compliance with legislation, Manual for Accounts and users requirements; the development & delivery of financial strategies, systems and processes to ensure the Trust can meet its statutory duties and ensuring that the Trust meets all internal and external audit requirements to ensure transparency & public accountability. Management Duties Assist with support to staff in the department and day-to-day operational support of the Trust's and Financial Management Team. To assist in leading on developing and maintaining professional standards within the Finance Department and to actively seek and encourage feedback from users. To manage a diverse set of relationships from different professional backgrounds and conflicting priorities. To build and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships throughout the Trust and with external stakeholders. To set and negotiate priorities for themselves. To demonstrate a commitment to Continuing Professional Development. To assist in the development of a clear system of decision making within the department. To establish and maintain processes for effective communication with staff and external partners. To ensure there is clear career pathway progression and finance staff development is at the forefront of the agenda. Financial Governance Ensure the Audit Committee and Trust Board are serviced effectively. Ensure that Audit recommendation are implemented promptly across the Trust. Assist with advice to Trust Managers and staff to ensure that they comply with the Trust policies and procedures, including Standing Financial Instructions and Financial Procedures and Statutory guidance Develop and assist in training on financial governance and internal control system for both finance and non finance staff. Assist with identifying opportunities to automate processes to facilitate prompt and accurate close down. In conjunction with other senior finance staff, develop assurance processes on all aspects of financial control including accounting estimates. Finance Continual Improvement To contribute towards the continual improvement agenda, and encouraging others to do so, often leading on projects to improve the way the function operates, and ensuring that an improvement culture is engendered within the team. Communication The Deputy Head of Financial Management will report to the Head of Financial Management will work with Executive Directors, Business Managers, Divisional Finance Managers and Senior Clinicians as required to provide a high quality professional financial service to meet key service and performance targets. Assist with the leadership and management of the Financial Management department on a daily basis. Liaise with colleagues within Onelsc, the local health economy and NHSE. Liaise with other NHS organisations and external agencies as required including external auditors, the Department of Health, the Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB and ELFS Shared Services. Training and Development The post holder is expected to:- · adhere to Trust policies and procedures and relevant legislation including the requirements of the any professional bodies · attend mandatory training as identified by the Trust Organisational Responsibilities The role of the Finance Department within the Trust is to:

• To ensure probity in the use of resources by: monitoring expenditure; adherence to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Standing Financial Instructions; and accounting policy.
• Ensure that the Trust Board, Executive Directors and Senior Managers are in a position to exercise control by reporting regularly on revenue expenditure, capital expenditure, cash, reserves, and performance against service agreements.
• To manage forecast outturn planning on revenue and capital; manage cash and working balances; changes in capital assets; in order to achieve the statutory financial duties of the Trust
• Provide financial advice and support to managers and clinicians to enable the achievement of agreed objectives.
• To assist and advise in the compilation of business cases for service developments and improvements.
• Performance manage divisions, directorates and departments in the delivery of financial targets.
To support the development and implementation of the Trusts Financial Recovery Plan. You will be expected to familiarise yourself with the Trust's Governance Strategy which outlines the Management and Committee Structures and Procedures for the Governance of the Trust's activities. You will have a duty to familiarise yourself with the relevant Policies and Procedures, i.e. Health & Safety Policies Risk Management Policies Infection Control Policies Data Protection and Confidentiality Policies These must be complied with by staff at all times.


• Qualified CCAB accountant with evidence of continued professional development
• Relevant leadership Training / Qualification
• Minimum 3 years post qualification experience
• 3 years' experience at a senior manager level
• Demonstrate the capability to maintain financial control whilst supporting a devolved style
• IT Skills Good working knowledge of Microsoft office products.
• Technical Skills Have a robust understanding, and the ability to apply financial management and financial accounting principle and practice
• Personal Attributes Communication Have the ability to communicate effectively, using verbal, written, or presentational skills.
• Access to private transport (Trust operates over various sites)
• Number skills Ability to analyse and manipulate complex information using a range of highly developed analytical and problem solving skills. Able to consider a range of options and their effects and makes decisions based on relevant facts.
• Technical Skills Have a robust understanding, and the ability to apply financial management and financial accounting principle and practice
• Able to interpret and implement both internal and external guidance and legislation.
• Organisational Self-motivated and able to manage time effectively, prioritise and organise short, medium and long term agenda and deliver to agreed deadlines
• People Skills Ability to work either autonomously or as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Personal Attributes Self-confident and able to maintain composure under pressure
Desirable criteria
• Degree (Honours) or equivalent qualification.
• Experience of supporting and developing staff, including experience of conducting staff appraisals and identifying staff training needs.
• Have an understanding of the NHS finance regime
• Strong attention to detail with a track record of delivering tasks to completion
  
  At East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care. We currently provide high quality services and treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area. We employ over 9,500 staff, many of whom are internationally renowned and have won awards for their work.
One LSC is a new collaborative partnership shared service formed by the five NHS Trusts serving the Lancashire and South Cumbria population of 1.8 million people. We are a shared service run by the NHS, for the NHS and are hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust on behalf of the partner Trusts of the Lancashire and South Cumbria system. One LSC stands for 'One Lancashire and South Cumbria' and reflects the Lancashire and South Cumbria System ambition to have one team serving Lancashire and South Cumbria in a joined-up way. It is jointly run by the five Trusts as a collaborative partnership. The Trusts that make up One LSC are: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust · Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust · Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust One LSC brings together the Digital, Data and Technology, Estates and Facilities, Finance, People Services and Procurement and Logistics services from each of the provider Trusts to create one central community of professionals. Under one leadership team, they will provide services for and on behalf of all Trusts. The aim is to bring services more closely together so that we can deliver the best service possible to each of our partner organisations. At the core of One LSC delivery is eliminating duplication, removing unwarranted variation, realisation of the benefits of sharing common systems and processes and ensuring we deliver value for money for our partners, our system and, ultimately, for the communities we serve., The Finance Department has been at the forefront of change and continual improvement and has previously won a national HFMA award for embracing technology as well as the Public Sector Finance Award for Training & Development. The Department is both FSD and FFF level 3 reaccredited in October 2024 so there is no better time to join this inspiring team. Our accreditation displays our commitment to being a leading edge Finance Function, supporting the wider improvement of the North-West finance system and influencing local and national strategy. We provide a supportive environment in which to learn and develop, with the opportunity to further your skills and career within an exciting and evolving environment. We actively participate in mentoring and coaching programmes and all staff have opportunities for protected learning time. The Trust is committed to the continuous improvement of services and has adopted a lean-based improvement practice to support this. Participation in improvement initiatives is positively encouraged with opportunity to access training to support improvement work. The Trust supports collaborative working with other Acute NHS Providers across Lancashire and South Cumbria and in particularly across Pennine Lancashire. This role is within the OneLSC collaborative., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. In addition, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit., The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, is committed to improving the working lives of its colleagues and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy on aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. As a recruitment service, our aim is to help protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first-class service in recruiting people into positions of trust. It is important to us that we employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone - irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, as we have identified that as an employer we are under-representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit. We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable you to apply for this post.

It is important you are made aware of the following as regards your application to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
• Please note that the salary advertised is for full time hours. If this post is less than 37.5 hours per week, the salary will be pro-rata. For posts on Agenda for Change pay-scales, new entrants to the NHS will normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
• This vacancy may close before the closing date if the recruiting manager deems sufficient applications have been received. Therefore it is advised to complete your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.
• Please note that shortlisting is completed anonymously with candidates being assessed against the essential criteria for the post. Therefore only applicants, who can clearly demonstrate how they meet our person specification criteria in their application, will be short-listed.
Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) If the role you are applying for is identified as either controlled or regulated activity as defined in in the Safeguarding vulnerable Groups Act (2006) any offer of employment is provisional upon a satisfactory DBS check being obtained. The healthcare sector is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. In line with other NHS organisations in the North West Region, the Trust is now passing the charge for undertaking a DBS check on to candidates in the event they are successfully appointed into the post for which they have applied. Candidates can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months as a deduction from the monthly salary. However, if you are applying for a post as a BANK worker, the payment must be made in full at the time of employment checks. By applying for this vacancy you are agreeing to this undertaking in the event you are successfully appointed. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure will be £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure will be £27.38., Please note: a young person must be in part-time education or training until they're 18. If you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role. Disclosure and Barring Service checks If the role you've applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40, Standard DBS check £26.40, Enhanced DBS check £54.40 and Enhanced DBS check with Barred List(s) £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here. In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working.