Credit Controller

Working as a partnership, both Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust have a shared vision for excellence in care for our patients and communities; with a set of strategic aims underpinning how we will achieve this.

The single corporate service is delivered across both organisations. You may be based at either IWT or PHU and individuals may be required to undertake business travel between sites. For leaders managing staff across multi-site locations, you will need to be visible and provide in person leadership. The arrangements and frequency will be agreed locally.

This vacancy is open to employees of Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust only.

NHS Band 5 Salary: £32,073 - £39,043 per annum

Hours Per Week: Full time 37.5 hrs

Contract Type: Permanent

Location Base: Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust Corporate Hub, Block 4000, Lakeside North Harbour, Western Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3EN OR

St Mary's Hospital, The Apex Centre, St Cross Business Park, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5XW

The Credit Controller supports the Financial Accountant in delivering the Trust’s financial and operational objectives. The primary focus of the role is credit control, ensuring timely and accurate income collection and effective management of the Trust’s debtor accounts. The post holder consults with Finance colleagues, budget holders, and service managers to support effective income management and debt recovery. They will maintain regular contact with external customers, NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) and other NHS bodies to resolve queries and ensure timely payment of invoices. The post holder supports internal and external audit processes and contributes to continuous improvement of credit control procedures.

We are seeking someone who will have basic accounting skills, excellent communication skills and a willingness to be proactive and drive the debt collection process with limited supervision.

The post holder should possess a good working knowledge of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, have excellent organisational skills and be flexible and adaptable at work to meet competing priorities.

For an informal chat, please contact Laura Barnes, Financial Accountant, laura.barnes14@nhs.net or telephone 01983 811099 ext 6274.

For full job details and person specifications please refer to enclosed job description .

Experience

Skills & Knowledge

Responsibilities

Assisting the Financial Accountant in all matters relating to the recovery of sales Income from both NHS and Non-NHS organisations, Health Insurance Companies, Individuals and other miscellaneous entities.; Working closely with NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) who are the Trust’s outsourced Debt Management Contractor.; Chasing debt personally in conjunction with SBS and adding notes onto the SBS system.; Responsible for providing recommendations and instructions to External Debt Collection companies and reviewing portals.; Liaising with the Overseas, Pharmacy Trading and Private Patients Teams to maximise recovery.; Liaising with SBS, Customers and Billing Team to resolve invoice queries which may be preventing customers paying our sales invoices in a timely manner.; Chasing debt and logging debtor notes onto the Oracle system in conjunction with SBS.; To be responsible for all reports on debt management; Assist in the compilation, distribution and recording of responses/disputes from NHS organisations relating to the income & debtor statements as part of the ‘Agreement of Balances’ exercise required by the Department of Health & Social Care.; To alert the Financial Accountant of any current practices that compromise our ability to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the accounting ledger. This will include assisting in the development of comprehensive procedure notes for each key area of the system.; To develop an extensive knowledge on how to use the Oracle Financial System to be able to provide guidance to Oracle users.; Point of contact for salary overpayments so that payment plans are in line with Trust Policy.; Attend debt management meetings with SBS to discuss key issues.

Requirements

The post holder is required to have basic knowledge of health service financial management, Information analysis; Relevant high level business qualification and/or equivalent NHS work experience; Basic accounting skills and forecasting skills; Evidence of communication skills with non-financial managers on financial issues; Experience of working as a credit controller; Full working knowledge of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook; Ability to interpret and present complex, sensitive, contentious or technical information in a user-friendly and understandable manner.; Being flexible and adaptable at work to meet competing priorities.; Knowledge of Financial Accounting procedures and requirements within the NHS.; Excellent organisational skills; Excellent analytical skills; Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; Negotiation and influencing skills.

Nice to have

Studying towards CCAB/CIMA qualification, have equivalent experience in a degree in a relevant subject; Experience of working within an NHS Trust; Detailed knowledge of relevant technical accounting requirements