Scottish Ambulance Service. Job Description

Transcription

1 Scottish Ambulance Service Job Description 1. JOB IDENTIFICATION Job Title: Department(s): Project Accountant Finance Job Holder Reference: MLPR 144 No of Job Holders: 1 1

2 2. JOB PURPOSE To support the preparation of major business cases for submission to the Scottish Executive and internal business cases for decision by the Executive Team through the provision of financial expertise. To support the implementation of approved business cases through the application of financial management advice from commencement through to post implementation audit. The development of financial management information systems and the exchange of information between financial management information systems and other support services systems. Project management of the implementation of systems / business cases. To engage in ad hoc costing exercises and highly complex financial forecasts as required. Involvement in financial planning process and financial strategy for the service. To represent the Scottish Ambulance Service on projects, groups and national initiatives within NHS Scotland where required. To facilitate and manage change when implementing new initiatives and systems. 3. DIMENSIONS Provide financial advice, cost models, analysis and prepare business cases for senior management and board. Most commonly with: general managers, heads of departments and executive team. Liase with external organisations auditors, providers of information systems, Scottish executive, and other NHS bodies. 2

3 4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION Director of Finance General Manager Finance Head of Financial Planning and Reporting Head of Financial Planning and Reporting Project Finance Analyst Financial Services Manager Project Accountant (THIS JOB) Head of Management Accounts Payroll Services Manager FINANCIAL SERVICES TEAM MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS TEAM PAYROLL TEAM 3

4 5. MAIN TASKS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Main duties: Provide financial support and advice for projects Provide ad hoc financial advice and guidance to non finance staff Implementation and adaptation / improvement of systems (project management) to support long term objectives Use professional judgement to produce forecasts and cost models Input into strategic financial planning To plan and prepare Business Cases for managers across the Service. This will include the analysis and comparison of options, interpreting complex data and making recommendations. Input to business cases will have a long term and far reaching impact across the Service, in terms of operational and strategic goals. Participate in project teams as required Participate in project boards as required Discussions with internal and external auditors, responding to audit reports. Represent the Scottish Ambulance Service on various projects, groups and national initiatives within NHSS. Research and make presentations to others on highly complex technical accounting issues which require in-depth knowledge. Support procurement decisions. This will be done through conducting complex financial analysis of the financial and operational strength of prospective suppliers and then interpreting this analysis to make robust recommendations able to withstand external scrutiny. Budgetary responsibility for financial systems and some project costs e.g. external consultancy. Communication of highly complex financial information to individuals and groups. Provision of training to operational and finance staff Negotiate financial aspects of Service Level Agreements with other health boards. Formulate new policies and procedures to support the implementation of new systems / initiatives. Interpretation and application of accounting standards, NHSS policies and Health Department letters where applicable. Provide specialist technical input into the annual accounts process 4

5 6 EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY See 7. below. 7. SYSTEMS Financial and analytical PC based systems. These include: Advance technical use of Microsoft Excel to create forecasts and cost models. Core finance system (ABS efinancials) reporting and interrogation of data. Some input. Business Objects reporting and presentation of data. PECOS procurement system Microsoft project for project management Flowcharting software Microsoft Outlook , calendar, contacts and task list Microsoft word for report writing and letters etc. 5

6 8 DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS Prioritise and schedule own work load and any conflicting demands as work arises from numerous sources Methods of best representing highly complex financial information Establishing new processes and procedures arising from the implementation of new systems and resolving conflicts between different parties. Contribute to project team / board decision making process. Balance the interests of the Scottish Ambulance Service with wider NHS Scotland interests 9 COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS Communicates with: Senior finance team including Director of Finance and Logistics Executive team Heads of departments / General managers All finance staff Anybody within the organisation requesting assistance with forecasting / costing / preparation of a business case. External and internal auditors Scottish Executive Project teams Project boards Senior staff within other health bodies External suppliers (e.g. of finance systems) Communication relates to all aspects of job as outlined in 2 and 5 above. Difficulties are: Communicating highly complex technical information to non technical staff Communicating to (and seeking to persuade / influence) a wide group of people with 6

7 conflicting demands (e.g. when implementing a new finance system) 10. PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB Physical skills: Keyboard skills Physical effort: Normal office work Mental demands: Highly unpredictable workload Frequent interruptions Ability to switch between different tasks Understand highly complex concepts Quickly assimilate information and make decisions Production of information to extremely tight deadlines Communication of highly complex technical concepts to non-technical managers Facilitating and leading workshops and meetings Periods of prolonged concentration Emotional demands: Conflict resolution Working with sensitive and contentious information Change management listening and responding to the reactions of others in an emotive context (e.g. when substantial elements of their role will change) Negotiation and influencing of others 7

8 11. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB The production of information to extremely tight deadlines. The application of advanced technical financial knowledge through highly complex financial techniques. The ability to absorb advanced non financial technical detail and apply to financial estimation techniques. The communication of the results of highly complex financial estimation techniques to nonfinancial senior managers and operational staff Reconciling the needs and requirements of different parties when implementing new systems. Resolving any conflicts that arise. Representing the needs of the Scottish Ambulance Service within NHS Scotland Negotiation and influencing of others Facilitating change Using professional judgment to provide opinions to senior management 12. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB The post holder should be a graduate and hold a professional accountancy qualification from a CCAB body, with a minimum of two years relevant post qualifying experience in a senior post. The post holder would require to be highly literate in computer application packages. Experience of using different estimation and forecasting techniques. Experience and knowledge of internal and external audit methods. Experience of finance processes and systems in a variety of contexts. The Post holder would be expected to have an in-depth specialist knowledge of financial and accountancy procedures, NHS legislation and NHS finance policies. The post holder would be expected to have experience of working with individuals at board level within organisations. 8

9 13. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT Job Holder s Signature: Head of Department Signature: Date: Date: 9