Finance Business Partner inDorchester inDorchester PUBLISHED MON 23 DEC 2024

To assist the Senior Finance Business Partner to provide high quality financial advice and support to a number of designated divisions (both clinical and non-clinical) in line with the Trust organisational structure and as such become a key member of the divisional team.

To be responsible for the preparation of the annual Financial Plan for designated areas and for monitoring, correcting, forecasting and formally reporting on the financial performance of those areas.

To influence the operational policies of the designated areas in order to optimise performance and efficiency.

To work with the Senior Finance Business Partner in the production of financial information contained within the division's annual Business Plan and the financial information provided in support of the production of business cases, cost pressure, service development and activity bids from the division.

To ensure that the divisions' decision making and financial activities comply with Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders, Schemes of Delegation and best practice.

To provide day to day supervision, leadership and guidance to more junior finance team colleagues.

To undertake specific projects as determined by Senior Staff relating to the provision of financial information commensurate with the grade; which may not be division specific.

• Improve service delivery and efficiency through increased financial awareness and effective performance management within operational divisions and educating budget managers to understand financial and performance issues.
• Act as a finance specialist for designated areas, acting on own initiative assist the operational management team to make financial and operational decisions, within the constraints of professional and Trust financial procedures, standing financial instructions and standing orders.
• Support the operational management team by ensuring that the designated areas have efficient and effective finance systems and processes in place and that the management information produced supports the areas responsibilities for budgetary control, healthcare contracting and business planning.
• Support the Head of Management Accounts in the management and performance of the central Management Accounts function

About us

• Responsible for the compilation and preparation of regular summary and detailed month end financial reports to service managers and external stakeholders in accordance with the monthly reporting timetable
• Responsible for holding routine budgetary meetings with budget holders/managers to interpret financial information and to provide advice on both complex and confidential issues.
• Support the Costing team to embed productivity reporting within the divisions.
• Prepare estimates for compilation of annual pay, non pay and income budgets by analysing available financial data and through discussions with budget holders and managers.
• Maintain, monitor and develop income and expenditure budgets / targets through the identification and calculation of accruals, prepayments and adjustments and the investigation of variances and discrepancies. This will involve close liaison with budget holders and a detailed understanding of the functioning of clinical and non-clinical services within the division.
• Discuss potential problem areas with the budget managers/holders, advising on areas where the division is at significant financial risk and, in liaison with the Senior Finance Business Partner, ensure corrective action is agreed and monitored.
• Responsible for developing and implementing changes in which financial management systems and processes can be improved and to identify opportunities both within the division and the Management Accounts function to improve effectiveness and efficiency of all services.
• To provide detailed financial advice, guidance and training to finance and non- finance staff on all aspects of financial control and on the Trusts Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and Trusts policies. Play an active part in implementing and improving policies and procedures in order to improve service delivery and to highlight where these have not been adhered.
• To work autonomously, with minimal supervision, using judgment and experience to interpret and action any National policy guidelines and financial directives that fall into the remit of the role.
• Work closely with Income team colleagues to understand and forecast designated areas clinical income.
• Develop management information to advise and influence divisional budget holders and managers in order to assist them in meeting Cost Improvement Programme and other Trust wide financial objectives. The post holder will need to employ persuasive and negotiating skills when addressing this issue with budget holders.
• Produce costing information to support proposed service changes liaising with Budget Managers ensuring that these are as accurate and comprehensive as possible and assist/inform the decision making process regarding the use/allocation of resources
• To support the Costing team to pursue reasons and enhance understanding in areas where National Cost Collection are significantly above national averages. Ensure that costing & productivity reporting is embedded into the service.
• To maintain a system of internal controls and checks to ensure the highest accounting standards. This necessarily includes procedure notes for all material processes and appropriate storage of documentation.
• Develop and empower all members of the team to perform to high standards and innovate.
• Ensure supportive staff management arrangements are in place and carry out annual appraisals for junior staff. Ensure all junior staff have effective Personal Development Plans resulting in specific objectives in line with the Knowledge and Skills Outline Framework.
• To undertake other duties commensurate with this grade of post in agreement with the relevant line manager.

  The post holder will need to link closely with Divisional managers and other relevant services across the Trust to produce highly complex, useful, sensitive and sometimes contentious information.

  Lead by example, develop key collaboration and effective working relationships.

  The post holder may present to groups of staff, including; Senior Leadership, Corporate teams and external parties.

  In management meetings the post holder will use their presentation and negotiation skills to demonstrate credibility and conviction and to generate motivation and commitment.

  The post holder will act as the key contact; establishing strong and positive relationships with budget managers with the aim of supporting the overall recovery of the Trusts underlying deficit and medium term financial plan.

  Ensure all management accounts function procedure notes are kept up to date with clear robust backing documentation for all transactions that stand up to Audit and peer challenge.

  The post holder will be expected to be an authority on NHS finance matters. They will use this expertise to ensure budget managers are aware of upcoming opportunities or threats as well as providing robust sound advice when required.