Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Financial Accounting to join the Finance Team at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust.

The Head of Financial Accounting will support the Trust by delivering financial services and financial accounting functions and leading on month-end and year-end activities across the Trust.

You will be a CCAB qualified accountant and have excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiating skills. You will have a detailed understanding of the accounting standards and be able to apply standards in complexed operating environment and are able to recommend improvements to processes, systems and reporting.

You will be able to prioritise tasks in a complex environment and have highly developed financial accounting knowledge and skills. You will be able to deliver to tight deadlines, to work independently and have substantial experience of leading, managing and developing staff.

This post offers an exciting career opportunity working within a friendly and progressive organisation. We understand, encourage and celebrate diversity, making RSFT NHS Finance team a place where we all feel we belong. The Trust was awarded "outstanding" for use of resources and is level 2 accredited on the One NHS Finance/ Skills Development Network "Towards Excellence" programme.

We operate a flexible work pattern as well as working from home. The Trust has access to a range of training and development opportunities provided both internally and externally.

Main duties of the job

Lead and co-ordination of the production of the individual group of Trusts' Annual Accounts and other returns, in accordance with regulatory, statutory guidance and reporting deadlines to ensure that the organisation fully meets its financial reporting obligations;

With the support of the Financial Accountant, be the group of Trusts' expert on all aspects of VAT and lead the provision of VAT advice to colleagues across the group of Trusts. Ensure continual understanding of VAT principles and regulations, interpreting and implementing to the best effect of the Trust. Act as liaison with external VAT advisors and HMRC asappropriate. Ensure all VAT returns are made within the statutory time limits and throughliaison with the Trust Financial Controller, ensure that all inputs and outputs are correctlyidentified and calculated;

Leading in developing and maintaining systems, procedures and controls to ensure the financial resources of the group of Trusts are protected and managed in accordance with the Standing Financial Instructions;

Please see the full job description attached

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us.

We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients' homes across Guildford and Waverley.

We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure.

To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo

Adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Details

Date posted

30 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,653 to £77,094 a year (per annum) includes high cost area supplements (HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-JH-EMF20975-B8b-B

Job locations

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Lead and co-ordination of the production of the group of Trusts Annual Accounts and other returns, in accordance with regulatory, statutory guidance and to reporting deadlines to ensure that the organisation fully meets its financial reporting obligations;

Working closely with internal and external auditors to resolve relevant queries smooth timely review and evaluation the group of Trusts capital accounting arrangements and reporting;

Assisting in developing and maintaining systems, procedures and controls to ensure the financial resources of the Trust are protected and managed in accordance with the StandingFinancial Instructions;

With the support from Financial Accountant, responsible for ensuring that the group of Trusts capital programme is correctly accounted for including managing the group of Trusts asset register and lease register and advises managers on the appropriate use of lease financing;

Responsible for implementation and evaluation of accounting policies and procedures with supervision from the Financial Controller.

Job description Job responsibilities Lead and co-ordination of the production of the group of Trusts Annual Accounts and other returns, in accordance with regulatory, statutory guidance and to reporting deadlines to ensure that the organisation fully meets its financial reporting obligations; Working closely with internal and external auditors to resolve relevant queries smooth timely review and evaluation the group of Trusts capital accounting arrangements and reporting; Assisting in developing and maintaining systems, procedures and controls to ensure the financial resources of the Trust are protected and managed in accordance with the StandingFinancial Instructions; With the support from Financial Accountant, responsible for ensuring that the group of Trusts capital programme is correctly accounted for including managing the group of Trusts asset register and lease register and advises managers on the appropriate use of lease financing; Responsible for implementation and evaluation of accounting policies and procedures with supervision from the Financial Controller.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified CCAB accountant or equivalent qualified by experience
• Educated to Masters level qualification or equivalent knowledge, training and experience

Knowledge

Essential

• Extensive experience in a financial accounting environment
• Detailed understanding of the requirements of a financial ledger system

Desirable

• Expert knowledge of NHS financial regime

Person Specification Qualifications Essential Qualified CCAB accountant or equivalent qualified by experience Educated to Masters level qualification or equivalent knowledge, training and experience Knowledge Essential Extensive experience in a financial accounting environment Detailed understanding of the requirements of a financial ledger system Desirable Expert knowledge of NHS financial regime

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)