Head of Capital Accounts

This is an opportunity to join the finance team of the London Ambulance Service Trust (LAS), one of the largest and busiest ambulance services in the world.
The role of Head of Capital Accounts sits at the heart of the finance team, working with colleagues, outsourced providers, and the wider Trust to plan and deliver the Trust's capital plans and control the Trust's asset registers.
As the leader of the Capital Accounting team you'll be responsible for:
The performance of the Capital Accounting team and provide senior managers and Directors strategic advice on highly complex lease and capital business issues
Provide senior support to business area Directors in developing and monitoring progress on highly complex business cases
Lead the development and delivery of the financial strategy and associated plans of the Trust relating to Capital and Lease Accounting, including the capital and lease forecast and plans
Be the Trust’s centre of capital and lease accounting excellence and the go to point for capital and lease accounting.
Co-ordinating internally and externally the production of the capital and lease sections of Trust’s annual accounts and their audit.
Develop and deliver the month end capital close down process
Preparing and providing highly complex financial analysis and commentary
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is the busiest ambulance Trust in the UK - it is a very exciting Finance Team to be part of. We are seeking someone who will fit with the Trust values - Caring, Respect and Teamwork. This role sits in our Management Accounts team, but has very close links to Operational Directors.
The Finance team works widely across the Trust at all levels up to Board and with a variety of other partners such as external NHS Trusts, commercial organisations, Heathrow Airport, Stadia, London's Air Ambulance and Healthcare UK.
You will have the opportunity to join the team and gain experience of being involved in a varied portfolio.
Annual leave starts at 27 days rising to 33 days, plus bank holidays, in line with agenda for change (NHS terms and conditions).
Capital Accounting
To ensure that all relevant information is collated and to draft the capital and lease sections of the annual financial statements for Chief Financial Officer review within deadlines.
Report on and discuss contentious and highly complex lease and capital Trust-wide issues with Trust Board Officers and senior managers, such as the delivery of performance against capital targets and recommend and implement strategies to recover and maintain performance.
Provide strategic advice on highly complex business issues in relation to the development of business areas to assist managers to achieve lasting benefits for the organisation.
Provide senior level support to business area Directors in developing and monitoring progress on highly complex business cases and project planning and approval documentation to ensure costs and benefits are fully understood, and decisions on new initiatives are taken with full knowledge of the financial implications.
The post holder will present complex information and undertake powerful presentations at business meetings.
Review, develop and continually improve reporting packs for forecasting and planning, CIP, projects and business change initiatives provided to the board.
Provide direction and influence business area Directors to cost effectively and deliver Trust strategic objectives.
In Year Reporting
To manage the monthly capital and lease reporting and forecasting process through the production and distribution of finance system generated reports.
Ensure that all lease and capital nominal ledger accounts are properly reconciled - including the FAR and Lease Register to GL - on a monthly basis.
To ensure that the capital and lease annual and longer term plans, forecasts and NHS England monitoring returns and internal reports are completed by the due dates.
To act as a Trust reference point on capital and lease matters, building and maintaining own knowledge and expertise, interpret advice and promote best practice within the Trust.
Systems and Procedures Development
To ensure that audit recommendations are complied with and to use them to improve controls in other accounting areas.
To lead on improving the effectiveness and utilisation of the lease and capital asset register, and all accounting systems in relevant areas.
To effect a system of continuous process review and improvement.
To ensure that financial procedures are fully documented and developed in accordance with the current accounting standards.
Responsible for the development of financial policies and procedures.
Organisational Issues
Awareness of the Trust’s agreed vision, values and broad organisational goals.
To contribute towards the development of the Trust wide financial strategy and input into the development of all trust wide policies with a financial impact.
People and Managerial Functions
Financial and Physical Resources
Responsible