Principal Financial Accountant

Job summaryThe role will be an integral part of the Finance Team providing support to the Head of Financial Reporting & Control and providing a reliable and responsive financial accounting service to ensure the provision of high-quality financial advice and information to Senior Managers, Committees, and other stakeholders.The post holder will ensure the integrity and accuracy of all income, capital expenditure and balance sheet transactions recorded in the Trust's General Ledger and adherence to the requirements of the Trust's Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions & Scheme of Delegation. The role will facilitate production of timely and relevant information for the completion of monitoring reports to the Board, Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS England (NHSE) including capital reporting. Prepare and complete statutory accounts in line with Department of Health & Social Care, interpreting these when necessary, ensuring local and national timetables are met. Main duties of the jobFinancial Reporting Financial Accounts/Annual Financial StatementCapital Accounting including Asset ManagementContract IncomeTreasury ManagementDecisions & JudgementsCommunication & RelationshipsAbout usOur purpose is to provide community health services to a patient population of over one million people in Derbyshire and Derby, as part of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.We employ around 4,200 substantive staff, caring for patients in 11 community hospitals and more than 30 health centres, as well as in clinics, GP practices, schools, care homes and, increasingly, in people's own homes and via virtual consultations.DetailsDate posted14 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 7Salary
49,387 to 56,515 a year
pa, pro-rata
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number842-FIN- Job locationsWalton HospitalWalton HospitalChesterfieldS40 3HWUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesPLEASE NOTE: Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesPLEASE NOTE: Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
EssentialoFinancial Qualification with an Accountancy Body - minimum Part Qualified or equivalent experience.oEvidence of compliance with institute CPD requirements.oHonours degree or equivalent level of qualification and/or equivalent experience.
Experience
EssentialSignificant finance experience, working in an NHS or similar organisation to understand complexities of processes.Extensive specialist knowledge over more than one Financial Services function acquired through experience.Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS financial environment and regime.Ability to work autonomously and knowledge of accounting standards, manuals, procedures, systems, policies, financial governance matters, relevant legislation and audit requirements.Staff management experience including finance staff developmentExtensive understanding of the financial (and other) requirements/duties of NHS providersExperience of preparing the statutory annual accounts
Knowledge & Skills
EssentialHighly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate complex financial data to nonfinance managers;Communicate contentious information to an audience that may not be receptive;Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, including the production of Committee papers.Confidence in using IT e.g. Microsoft e.g. Microsoft Office, integrated financial ledger system, databases with accurate output.Highly developed negotiating and influencing skills.Ability to form judgements and make autonomous decisions guided by policies and procedures.Effective critical thinking skills, especially for new issues where no precedent to follow.Ability to set clear and concise objectives, prioritise and monitor progress and take appropriate action to achieve outcomes by required deadlines.Experience of planning at both operational and strategic levels.DesirableThe ability to negotiate effectively with a wide range of people and professionals up to Board Level, both internally and externally.oExperience of finance systems development.
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications
EssentialoFinancial Qualification with an Accountancy Body - minimum Part Qualified or equivalent experience.oEvidence of compliance with institute CPD requirements.oHonours degree or equivalent level of qualification and/or equivalent experience.
Experience
EssentialSignificant finance experience, working in an NHS or similar organisation to understand complexities of processes.Extensive specialist knowledge over more than one Financial Services function acquired through experience.Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS financial environment and regime.Ability to work autonomously and knowledge of accounting standards, manuals, procedures, systems, policies, financial governance matters, relevant legislation and audit requirements.Staff management experience including finance staff developmentExtensive understanding of the financial (and other) requirements/duties of NHS providersExperience of preparing the statutory annual accounts
Knowledge & Skills
EssentialHighly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate complex financial data to nonfinance managers;Communicate contentious information to an audience that may not be receptive;Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, including the production of Committee papers.Confidence in using IT e.g. Microsoft e.g. Microsoft Office, integrated financial ledger system, databases with accurate output.Highly developed negotiating and influencing skills.Ability to form judgements and make autonomous decisions guided by policies and procedures.Effective critical thinking skills, especially for new issues where no precedent to follow.Ability to set clear and concise objectives, prioritise and monitor progress and take appropriate action to achieve outcomes by required deadlines.Experience of planning at both operational and strategic levels.DesirableThe ability to negotiate effectively with a wide range of people and professionals up to Board Level, both internally and externally.oExperience of finance systems development.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 detailsEmployer nameDerbyshire Community Health Services NHSFTAddressWalton HospitalWalton HospitalChesterfieldS40 3HWUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameDerbyshire Community Health Services NHSFTAddressWalton HospitalWalton HospitalChesterfieldS40 3HWUnited KingdomEmployer's website