Location: Cardiff, United Kingdom
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £37,898 – £45,637 per annum
Application Deadline: 3rd June 2025, 23:59
Certificate of Sponsorship: Available
Overview
An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Management Accountant to join the Finance Team at NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP). This dynamic role is based at either our headquarters in Nantgarw, Cardiff, or at Alder House in St Asaph. It offers the successful candidate the chance to gain comprehensive exposure to financial management across all NWSSP services, helping shape financial strategies and support delivery at a national scale.
NWSSP is a vital arm of NHS Wales, delivering a wide array of support services including legal, procurement, workforce, payroll, and finance. The Management Accountant is crucial in maintaining the financial health and governance of these core functions, ensuring optimal use of public funds and helping to achieve operational excellence.
We are seeking a highly skilled, detail-oriented professional who excels in fast-paced, collaborative environments. The ideal candidate will possess robust analytical capabilities, excellent communication skills, and the drive to influence strategic financial planning and performance monitoring.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Reporting & Analysis:
Prepare and present comprehensive monthly financial statements, including income and expenditure reports, balance sheets, and cash flow analyses. Conduct detailed variance analyses and provide insights that inform executive decision-making, ensuring full financial transparency and accountability. - Budgeting & Forecasting:
Work closely with budget holders and directorates to develop robust annual budgets and in-year forecasts. Track financial progress against budgets, adjusting projections to reflect evolving organizational priorities and operational realities. - Cost Management:
Monitor cost centers and expenditure patterns, identify areas of overspending or inefficiency, and propose innovative cost-containment strategies. Deliver data-driven recommendations that support improved financial sustainability and value-for-money practices. - Strategic Financial Planning:
Develop sophisticated financial models to aid long-term planning, capital investment, and service development. Partner with senior leaders to assess financial risks and opportunities and guide resource allocation in alignment with NHS Wales’ broader strategic goals. - Compliance & Controls:
Uphold stringent adherence to NHS Wales financial policies, statutory accounting standards, and regulatory frameworks. Lead internal control reviews, support audit preparations, and implement enhancements to ensure rigorous financial governance. - Team Collaboration:
Engage regularly with non-financial managers and cross-departmental teams to demystify financial concepts and data. Provide training and support where necessary to strengthen financial literacy and foster a culture of proactive financial management. - System Management:
Assist in the ongoing maintenance and enhancement of financial systems including Oracle Financials and Qlikview. Promote automation and system integration, increasing the efficiency and accuracy of internal reporting processes.
Qualifications & Experience
- Educational Background:
- Minimum part-qualified CCAB accountant or equivalent recognized financial qualification.
- Evidence of recent and relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in financial management or related disciplines.
- Professional Experience:
- Proven track record in financial management, preferably in a complex public sector or healthcare environment.
- Experience in managing and mentoring junior finance personnel and overseeing delivery of key financial outputs.
- Technical Proficiency:
- Advanced Excel capabilities, including the use of pivot tables, lookups, macros, and data visualization tools.
- Proficiency with integrated financial software solutions, especially Oracle Financials and Qlikview dashboards.
- Communication & Analytical Skills:
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey financial information to non-finance audiences effectively.
- Strategic thinker with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail.
- Language Skills:
- The ability to speak Welsh is advantageous. NWSSP is committed to fostering bilingualism and encourages applications from both Welsh and English speakers.
Why Join NWSSP?
- Meaningful Work:
Join a purpose-driven organization where your financial expertise directly impacts the effectiveness and sustainability of essential healthcare support services across Wales. - Career Progression:
Take advantage of tailored professional development pathways, including sponsorship for further qualifications, leadership training programs, and access to mentoring from senior finance professionals. - Inclusive Culture:
Work in an environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. NWSSP actively supports a workplace culture where all individuals feel respected, empowered, and able to thrive. - Flexible Working:
Benefit from modern working arrangements that promote wellbeing and productivity. Hybrid work models enable a healthy balance between office collaboration and remote flexibility. - Comprehensive Benefits Package:
- Competitive salary progression and NHS pension scheme
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with service
- Dedicated occupational health services and employee wellbeing programs
- Discounts across retailers, travel, technology, and leisure via NHS staff schemes
- Salary sacrifice options for transport, bicycles, and childcare
About NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP)
NWSSP is a pivotal part of NHS Wales, responsible for delivering high-quality shared services that support health boards and trusts across the country. With a vision centered on innovation, efficiency, and excellence, NWSSP helps ensure that frontline healthcare providers can focus on delivering care, supported by robust and reliable back-office functions.
The organization is structured to provide expert services in finance, procurement, legal, workforce, digital, and logistics. Its finance division is central to maintaining strong fiscal governance and accountability within NHS Wales, offering expert support in planning, analysis, and strategic investment.
As part of NWSSP’s Finance Team, you’ll be working at the heart of a forward-thinking, solution-oriented team, collaborating with leaders across departments to shape a financially sustainable future for health services in Wales.
A Day in the Life of a Management Accountant at NWSSP
No two days are the same in this multifaceted role. Your mornings might begin by preparing financial reports or reviewing budget submissions. You could then lead a financial review meeting with a service manager to discuss expenditure against forecasts. Afternoons may involve conducting variance analysis, preparing cost projections, or responding to auditor queries.
You’ll frequently attend planning meetings where your insights will influence resource allocation and service strategies. As part of continuous improvement efforts, you may contribute to developing new financial processes or exploring digital solutions to streamline reporting and analysis. This role provides broad exposure to the financial operations of one of Wales’ most important public service institutions.
Application Process
Deadline: 3rd June 2025, 23:59
All applications must be submitted via the official NHS Jobs portal. Ensure your application includes detailed and relevant experience, up-to-date contact information, and supporting documents if required.
Shortlisting & Interview Process:
Shortlisted candidates will be notified via email. Interviews will follow a structured, competency-based format, assessing technical skills, scenario handling, and alignment with NWSSP’s values.
International Applicants & Visa Sponsorship
NWSSP welcomes applicants from outside the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. This role qualifies for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker and Health and Care visa routes, making it accessible to a global pool of talented professionals.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Available for this position.
If you are an international applicant, please ensure you meet the eligibility requirements outlined by the UK Home Office. Visit the official UK Government portal for detailed guidance:
UK Work Visas
Benefits of the Health and Care Visa:
- Reduced visa application fees
- Accelerated processing
- Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Family members may join you as dependants
Tips for a Successful Application
- Customize Your CV: Emphasize your relevant qualifications, financial systems experience, and previous achievements in healthcare or public sector finance.
- Quantify Your Impact: Use specific metrics and real-world examples to illustrate how your contributions led to cost savings, improved efficiency, or process enhancements.
- Research NWSSP: Familiarize yourself with NWSSP’s strategic priorities and values. Align your application with the organization’s mission and demonstrate cultural fit.
- Practice Interview Scenarios: Prepare for competency-based interviews using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique. Reflect on examples that showcase leadership, collaboration, and financial innovation.
- Showcase Soft Skills: Highlight interpersonal and communication skills that support effective teamwork and cross-functional collaboration in a healthcare finance setting.
Final Thoughts
Joining NWSSP as a Management Accountant is not just a career move—it’s a meaningful step toward making a difference in the health and wellbeing of communities across Wales. You’ll become a valued member of a finance team that embraces innovation, champions collaboration, and places a high premium on integrity and excellence.
Whether you’re a rising finance professional looking to deepen your expertise or an experienced accountant seeking a role with real-world impact, NWSSP offers a rewarding and supportive environment where you can thrive.
Take the next step in your professional journey—apply today and be part of the future of healthcare finance in Wales.