Finance Business Partner

Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.

The Trust has award winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development, because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for three consecutive years, and we have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture here at NELFT.

Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work, in this video

Job overview

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to join our team as a Band 4/5 Finance Business Partner, we are open to offering this as a Band 4 developmental opportunity.

We are advertising for one full time post to work in the finance team, based at our office in Rainham.

You will ideally be AAT qualified or working towards it and have a good working knowledge of IT systems, particularly Excel. Previous finance experience in an NHS environment is an advantage although not essential as appropriate training will be available. Previous finance experience in Business partnering is also an advantage as you are required to have a full understanding of finance principles. 

The four roles available will cover various boroughs and will require travel from time to time.

Main duties of the job

As a key member of the team, you will be the first point of contact for the directorate that you will be managing, with an expectation to gain a thorough understanding of those services and being responsible for the provision and coordination of accurate and timely financial management information and advice to all levels of the organisation. Good organisation, time management and communication skills are essential, and the candidate will be resourceful and flexible to work within a challenging environment.

Working for our organisation

Starting with NELFT

NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High Cost Area Supplement

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,551 to a maximum of £5,735).

COVID-19 Vaccination

We continue to encourage all staff to ensure that they have been double vaccinated and received their booster. We recognise that taking the vaccine provides the best defence against COVID 19 for our patients, our staff and their families.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the post:

• The production of monthly budget reports, variance analysis, staff lists and forecasting, within the agreed set timescales.

• Ensuring, through preparation, investigation and input of journals and virements, that the general ledger contains accurate data.

• Providing support to budget holders, to assist them in controlling their own budgets within overall financial constraints.

• Assisting as required in the costing of any service developments the Trust is proposing.

Use of AI

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer closely to this when completing your application.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Any development needs to help you succeed in the role, can be discussed at the interview stage.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

AAT qualified or previous experience of working in an management accounting environment minimum of 5 GCSE’s including Maths & English

Desirable criteria

Studying towards CCAB professional accountancy qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience of working in a management accounting environment Previous experience of using accounting systems with examples

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• An understanding of the key principals of Management Accounting • Experience in costings/Skill Mix • Experience in variance anaylsis and investigation • Experienced in forecasting Experienced in reconciliation of staffing budgets

Skills

Essential criteria

Strong numerical, written and verbal skills Ability to work flexibly and adjust to changing requirements Good IT skills including spreadsheets and databases Able to delivery accurate, quality work within agreed timescales

Benefits

We believe in bringing your authentic and best self to work, in order to deliver the best care to our patients. We are committed to supporting our employees holistically. Here is a snapshot of what is on offer at NELFT:

A long-standing and award-winning approach to equality and diversity with supportive networks for ethnic minority staff, staff with disabilities or long term/chronic conditions and LGBT staff. A commitment to supporting colleagues to achieve a work life balance, through flexible working opportunities and our effortsto support our working parents and carers. This has resulted in us being recognised as a ‘Top 10 Family Friendly Employer’ from the Working Families Charity. Proactive health and wellbeing support, including access to our employee assistance programme, staff psychological support, individual wellbeing conversations and a network of health and wellbeing ambassadors. Detailed information about our wellbeing and benefits offer can be found in this link.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that’s a job share, part time hours or another flexible pattern.