Associate Finance Business Partner

Job overview
Associate Finance Business Partner (Fixed term contract until September 2025)

Department: Finance

Band 6 GBP35,392 – GBP42,618 Per annum pro rata

Hours: 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to be a key integral part of the CSU and Division in decision making and providing an effective and efficient financial management service.

The post holder will report to the Divisional Finance Business Partner and contribute a key role in the month end closedown and budget setting for the division, ensuring team resources are deployed effectively to meet key deadlines. Key relationships will need to be formed with divisional and service managers and clinicians in order to support the management of resources within the income which their services generate. You will work closely with the Finance Business Partner and divisions on budget setting, budgetary management, forecasting and CIP plans.

The successful candidate will have well developed interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively with staff across all levels and disciplines within the organisation.

For further information, please contact Natasha Parkhill via email

Interview date: 20th September 2024

Main duties of the job
To provide direct financial support to the Finance Business Partner, Division and CSU ensuring the Division is fully compliant with best financial practice in the areas of:

1. Financial budget reporting
2. Business case development
3. Activity and capacity planning
4. Maximisation of income (particularly with regard to National Tariff)
5. Budgeting
6. Forecasting of expenditure and activity income
7. Service line reporting

Working for our organisation
MKUH staff scored highest for 'I look forward to coming to work' (NHS Staff Survey 2023).

You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:

• Free on–site parking
• Free tea and coffee
• Great flexible working opportunities
• Discounted gym membership
• Lease car scheme
• Generous annual leave and pension scheme
• On site nursery (chargeable)
• Extensive staff health and well–being programme

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Managing Services:

• Produce monthly financial reporting packs which set out clearly performance in all aspects of finance, activity and contractual targets delivery, ensuring a clear story of outcomes and causal factors is provided.
• Undertake management accounting tasks to deliver month end reporting (i.e. budget journals, accruals etc.)

Improving Services:

• Assist the Finance Business Partner in developing business cases as necessary in line with prescribed Trust format and process. Ensure that content of cases is robust and reflect full consideration of options to deliver best value.

Working with others:

• Be able to work effectively under the direction of the Finance Business Partner as well as independently.
• Encourages, supports and facilitates divisional and CSU staff to contribute and innovate for the improvement of patient care and the efficiency, safety, quality and effectiveness of services; finding ways to empower staff to implement their ideas for improvement.

Demonstrating personal qualities:

• The post holder will be expected to operate with discretion and without direct supervision to deliver the requirements of both the finance function and the Division/CSU. This will necessitate skill in balancing priorities.
• Acts as a role model to demonstrate the Trust's values and behaviours at all times.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Person specification

Qualifications Essential criteria

• Graduate or equivalent experience
• AAT qualified or equivalent experience
• Knowledge and experience in a management accounts setting. Including month–end, year–end management accounting procedures and forecasting
• Highly developed specialist/expert knowledge of financial and accounting procedures, financial and other aspects of legislation and NHS finance policies; QUIP; CIP; SLR; experience and expertise in financial accounting and disciplines relevant to commercial finance including: procurement, human resources, general management theory and information management and technology.

Desirable criteria

• Working towards professional Chartered Accountancy qualification
• Examples of highly developed specialist/expert knowledge of financial and accounting procedures, financial and other aspects of legislation and NHS finance policies include; Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions, Financial Directives, International Financial Reporting Standards/Statements of Standard Accounting Practice, Government Policy as it effects the NHS, Charitable Funds legislation, Audit principles of internal check and control, VAT, EU Procurement Directives, NHS procurement guidance, NHS staffing terms and conditions and employment law
• Understanding of NHS Income and proven ability to analyse variances

Experience Essential criteria

• Experience working within finance department

Desirable criteria

• Experience within an NHS finance department

Skills Essential criteria

• Ability to analyse highly technical issues and provide practical guidance and recommendations that can be understood and acted upon by Executives and users on matters such as capital investment, business cases and savings plans.
• The post holder will be expected to operate with discretion and with and without direct supervision to deliver the requirements of both the finance function and the Division/CSU. This will necessitate skill in balancing priorities.
• Highly numerate; able to analyse reports and complex data sets
• Ability to achieve demanding tasks and objectives against deadlines.
• Ability to follow instruction as well as working on own initiative

Personal and people development Essential criteria

• High personal standard of conduct and behaviour and ability to act as a role model encouraging others to value and respect staff and stakeholders and holds others to account for this.

Desirable criteria

• Builds and develops multidisciplinary teams, and maintains constructive working relationships at all levels and disciplines

Communication Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to a wide range of individuals, e.g. preparing, and presenting financial information to Management Board members and staff groups, working with Trust senior managers and project managers and assisting external auditors.
• Evidence of personal insight, and willingness to learn and change personal style/approach as appropriate.