Finance manager
Our finance managers make sure that our frontline staff have the resources they need to be able to deliver the treatment and care our patients need.
Managing the finances of an NHS organisation, whether it is a large hospital trust, ambulance service trust or clinical commissioning group, is like running the finances of a large company. As a finance manager, you’ll be responsible for ensuring that the funds for these organisations are allocated and spent appropriately for the good our staff and patients.
Working life
In financial management, your role will incorporate managing budgets and deciding on resource allocation.
It will include:
- payroll and pensions - ensuring staff get paid
- accounts - paying for goods and services, collecting income
- financial systems - the Information Technology (IT) systems that track all financial activity
- management information - gathering and interpreting the financial data required to make day-to-day and strategic management decisions
- reporting - preparing annual financial reports and co-ordinating with the Inland Revenue, VAT collection and other authorities
- financial audit - checking expenditure and income.
Roles in financial management
There are a variety of job roles and job titles in financial management. Here are some examples:
In this example, you would work closely with the head of finance and:
- establish systems and processes to enable the timely and accurate delivery of monthly management accounts and budget information
- be involved in the annual budget setting process
- provide ongoing support and direction for the budget holders
- investigate and report on variances
- be involved in ad hoc projects and reports (eg contributing to the five-year business planning processes)
Here, you will be:
- working for an NHS trust or clinical commissioning group
- providing a financial planning service to commissioning acute services
- providing the financial data to support local delivery plans and the Service Level Agreement process.
In this type of role, you will be
- responsible for financial planning and control for a specific organisation (eg working in an NHS trust, supporting the needs of over 3 million people and employing 7,100 staff on two main and two smaller sites
- integral in managing a budget to improve health care provision (eg a £270 million scheme to modernise the trust, including moving the majority of acute facilities onto a single site hospital)
- a key member of the Finance Senior Management team, with main areas of responsibility to lead the maintenance and development of finance systems and formulate business cases to develop and modernise the trusts services.
- providing a comprehensive financial service in relation to the Trusts Corporate Governance Agenda.
Working within an NHS trust or clinical commissioning group and in this example, you’ll have responsibility for the financial leadership of the information communication and technology programme across a number of NHS organisations to ensure that all statutory financial requirements are met.
There are opportunities to work in finance in non-managerial roles.
Find out more about non-management opportunities in finance
Who would I work with?
You could be working with, human resources managers, clinical managers and staff woking in strategic management.
Want to learn more?
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Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and the most senior managers. Staff in the NHS will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week. They may work a shift pattern.
Your career in financial management within the NHS would typically start at Agenda for Change band 5 – for example as a team manager. Finance section managers would typically be on band 6, department managers on band 7 and principal finance managers on band 8a. Senior director level posts would be paid on the Very Senior Managers pay system.
Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
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With further training and/or experience, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for more senior managerial roles.
Progression for those with ability is typically via operational management in a large healthcare provider. Relocation for promotion is common.
More diverse routes are now opening up, for example, jointly-funded posts between health and social services.
Graduates from the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme who specialise in financial management are expected to gain rapid promotion into senior financial positions.
Management qualifications, such as a Master of Business of Administration (MBA) may be an advantage for some posts.
When you’re looking for jobs in financial management, there are a number of sources you can use, depending on the type of and level of work you’re seeking.
Below are just some of the current vacancies in finance on the NHS Jobs website.
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Head of Finance Business Partnering
Worthing, Chichester, Brighton, BN11 2DH
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
-
Financial Planning Manager
London, SW9 8RR
- Salary :
- £72921.00 to £83362.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Assistant Director of Finance - Financial Services
Torquay, TQ2 7AN
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
-
Head of Finance Business Partnering & Value
Location to be confirmed at interview, CF11 9AD
- Salary :
- £78120.00 to £90013.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Digital Health and Care Wales
-
Finance Manager
Bebington, CH63 4JY
- Salary :
- £41222.00 to £47948.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- PharmaC (The Clatterbridge Pharmacy Ltd)
-
Finance Manager
Manchester, M20 4BX
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Christie NHS FT
-
Finance Manager
Hatfield, AL10 8YE
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Finance Manager
Shepton Mallet, BA4 4LP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Practice Plus Group
-
Director of Finance
Eastleigh, SO50 5PB
- Salary :
- £109179.00 to £125637.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB (104)
-
Director of Finance
Runcorn, WA7 6EP
- Salary :
- £56745.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Halton Haven Hospice
-
Finance Manager - Development Role
Redhill, RH15RH
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Finance Manager - Maternity Cover
Maidenhead, SL6 6EL
- Salary :
- £15.00 to £18.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- The Symons Medical Centre
-
Deputy Finance Manager (WCCS)
London, W2 1NY
- Salary :
- £56276.00 to £63176.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
-
Director of Finance - Operations
Chelsea, SW3 6JJ
- Salary :
- £117645.00 to £134103.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
-
Payroll and Finance Assistant
Redhill, RH1 2NP
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Dorking Healthcare Ltd.
-
Executive Director of Finance
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
-
Band 8b Divisional Finance Manager
Birmingham, B7 4BN
- Salary :
- £64455.00 to £74896.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT
-
Finance Manager (Pathology Business Unit)
London, SE5 9NY
- Salary :
- £56276.00 to £63176.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Deputy Commercial Finance Manager
Birmingham, B4 6NH
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
-
AGH Solutions - Director of Finance
Steeton, BD20 6TD
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- AGH Solutions Ltd
-
Executive Director of Finance and Contracting
Warrington, WA1 1QY
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
-
Divisional Finance & Information Manager - Medicine
Derby, DE22 3NE
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Finance Manager - Contract Income and Research & Development
Saltaire, BD18 3LD
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
-
3339 - Senior Assistant Finance Manager FM & Costing
Barnsley, S70 2RD
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Financial Accountant
Nottingham, NG8 6PY
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
-
Management Accountant
Exeter, EX2 5AF
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust
-
Director of Finance - LCOs and UDHM Clinical Group
Manchester, M2 5DB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
-
Director of Operational Finance / Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Nottingham, NG5 1PB
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts
-
Financial Accounts Assistant
Nottingham, NG8 6PY
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
-
Assistant Director - Financial Planning Delivery Directorate
Pencoed,, CF35 5LJ
- Salary :
- £78120.00 to £90013.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Public Health Wales
-
Senior Business Analyst, Financial Planning & Delivery
Bridgend, CF35 5LJ
- Salary :
- £48527.00 to £55532.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Public Health Wales
-
Assistant Management Accountant
Southampton, SO40 2RZ
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Management Accountant
Leeds, LS21 1PY
- Salary :
- £45000.00 to £55000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- OneMedicalGroup
-
Assistant Management Accountant
Horley, RH1 1EB
- Salary :
- £35918.88 to £42926.38
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Alliance for Better Care CIC
-
Senior Management Accountant
Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
-
Apprentice Financial Accounts Assistant
Slough, SL2 4HL
- Salary :
- £26240.00 to £27928.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
-
Head of Planning
Across Wales, NP44 7HF
- Salary :
- £65424.00 to £76021.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust
-
Finance Apprentice
Cwmbran, NP44 3HR
- Salary :
- £24833.00
- Type :
- Apprenticeship
- Employer :
- Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
-
Finance Lead
Whitby, YO21 1SD
- Salary :
- £40617.00 to £48778.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Whitby Group Practice
-
Finance Assistant
Torquay, TQ2 7AN
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
-
Finance Officer
Exeter, EX2 5AF
- Salary :
- £24937.00 to £26598.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust
-
Finance Officer
Ipswich, IP3 8LX
- Salary :
- £34000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- St Elizabeth Hospice
-
Finance Officer
Torquay, TQ2 7AN
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
-
Chief Finance Officer
Blackpool, FY3 8NR
- Salary :
- £100000.00 to £200000.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
-
Finance Business Partner
Sheffield, S11 8HA
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
-
Finance Business Partner
Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6QG
- Salary :
- £55690.00 to £62682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust
-
Senior Finance Officer
Pontypridd, CF37 1LB
- Salary :
- £31516.00 to £38364.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
-
Finance & Performance Analyst
Nuneaton, CV10 7DJ
- Salary :
- £31049.00 to £37796.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
-
Business Finance Assistant
Wakefield, WF2 0XQ
- Salary :
- £27485.00 to £30162.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
-
Succession Planning and Talent Management Lead
Carmarthen, SA31 3HB
- Salary :
- £56514.00 to £63623.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Assistant Head of Core Accounting Team
Carmarthen, SA31 3HB
- Salary :
- £48527.00 to £55532.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
-
Director of Operational Finance
Torquay, TQ2 7AN
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
-
Finance Business Partner - Income
Poole, BH15 2JB
- Salary :
- £64455.00 to £74896.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
-
Deputy Finance Business Partner
Bolton, BL4 0JR
- Salary :
- £38682.00 to £46580.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Finance Business Partner
Nuneaton, CV10 7DJ
- Salary :
- £64455.00 to £74896.00
- Type :
- Fixed-Term
- Employer :
- George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
-
Finance Business Partner (XN09)
Leeds, LS9 7TF
- Salary :
- £64455.00 to £74896.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals
-
Deputy Chief Finance Officer
London, WC1N 3JH
- Salary :
- Negotiable
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
-
Head of Programme Management Office
Bolton, BL4 0JR
- Salary :
- £76965.00 to £88682.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
-
Senior Finance Partner - Costing & Value
Cardiff, CF10 4BZ
- Salary :
- £48527.00 to £55532.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- Public Health Wales
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Band 7 Finance Business Partner
Birmingham, B15 1NT
- Salary :
- £47810.00 to £54710.00
- Type :
- Permanent
- Employer :
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Showing 6 of 60 results
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For further information about a career in financial management, please contact
- Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
- Consultancy Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB)
- Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- NHS Graduate Training Scheme