Accounts Assistant
Job Description
Job summary
Watling Street Practice & Primary Care Network are looking to employ a part time accounts assistant who will provide administrative and financial support to our Financial Controller and Business Manager by handling routine tasks like data entry, bookkeeping, and processing payments.
We regularly review applications, and reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role.
Hours, Salary and Benefits
Conversations around flexible working and compressed hours are encouraged.
- 22.5 hours per week, worked across 3 days
- £14.35 - £15.38 per hour (depending on skills and experience)
- An excellent NHS pension scheme
- 28 days annual leave rising to 33 days with length of service (pro-ratad), plus bank holidays & your birthday off
- NHS Discounts with a massive number of retailers (with a Bluelight card)
- Wellbeing resources available free to all staff
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to ensure financial records are accurate and up-to-date, to manage spreadsheets, handle invoices and to assist with other clerical duties to keep the finance department running smoothly.
About us
Watling Street Practice (WSP) is a partnership of 10 equity partners and Watling Street PCN (WSN) is a limited company.
Together, WSP and WSN provide General Practice services to c.42,000 patients from our 3 clinical and 1 administrative locations.
Jointly WSP and WSN turnover around £6.8 million per annum and we employ around 140 staff.
Job responsibilities
1. Bookkeeping & Financial Record Keeping
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records for WSP and WSN.
- Process invoices, receipts, and expense claims.
- Enter transactions into the accounting system and ensure correct coding.
- Carry out bank reconciliations and ensure the cash book is accurate and up to date.
- Assist the Financial Controller with the preparation of monthly accounts.
2. Payments & Cash Management
- Prepare payment runs for approval, ensuring suppliers are paid accurately and on time.
- Set up electronic bank payments in line with authorisation procedures.
- Manage petty cash and reconcile as required.
- Monitor and reconcile incoming payments, including NHS income streams.
3. Payroll Support
- Collate and process monthly payroll information for submission to payroll providers (e.g., timesheets, overtime, absence, new starters, leavers).
- Maintain accurate employee pay records.
- Liaise with the Business Manager, People Team Manager and Practice Managers to ensure payroll information is correct and deadlines are met.
- Support the Financial Controller in reviewing payroll outputs.
4. Claims & Income Monitoring
- Prepare and submit claims for enhanced services (DES/LES) and PCN activity.
- Track claim deadlines and ensure income is maximised.
- Maintain records of claim submissions and reconcile income received.
- Liaise with operational teams to collect required data for claims.
Track all income streams including DES, LES, PCN, Primary Care Framework, Drugs income,
5. PCN Finance Administration
- Support financial administration of the PCN including ARRS workforce costs, PCN claims, and expenditure tracking.
- Record PCN income and expenditure accurately.
6. Support to the Financial Controller
- Provide administrative and analytical support to the Financial Controller as needed.
- Assist with preparation for external accountants, auditors, and year-end processes.
- Follow financial controls and procedures at all times.
- Identify discrepancies or issues and escalate promptly.
7. General Duties
- Maintain organised digital and paper records in line with data protection requirements.
- Handle sensitive financial and personal information confidentially.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of financial processes.
- Support ad-hoc finance tasks as requested.
Person Specification
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Strong numerical accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to work to deadlines and manage workload independently
- Good communication skills and ability to work closely within a small finance team
Experience
Essential
- Bookkeeping or finance administration experience
- Experience with accounting software (e.g., Xero, Sage, QuickBooks)
- Competent in Excel and basic financial spreadsheets
Desirable
- Experience in NHS finance, General Practice, or PCN administration
- Experience with NHS claims (DES/LES/PCN etc)
- Experience with Xero accounting software
- Understanding of payroll processes
Qualifications
Desirable
- AAT Level 23 or equivalent bookkeeping qualification
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Reliable, organised, and methodical
- High integrity when handling confidential information
- Proactive with a willingness to learn
- Team player, supportive, and professional
- Comfortable working in a busy administrative environment
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This 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.
Employer details
Employer name
Watling Street Network PCN
Address
Watling Street PCN
7 Keller Close
Kiln Farm
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK11 3LL
United Kingdom
