Our application system opens in September and closes in November. You must apply online by visiting the NHS Jobs Website - find out more on our how to apply page. Full details of the application process, background data and links to more information are given on NHS Jobs. Please read the job description carefully and tailor your response.

Q2. What are the eligibility criteria?

You’ll need to have gained a 2:2 degree (in any subject) awarded by September of the year of entry (not application) and, through our assessment systems, be able to demonstrate leadership, financial and management skills and your potential to reach a senior level position. Assessment methods will include a blend of written, verbal and behavioural skills designed to enable applicants to demonstrate capability and potential in meeting leadership, financial and management competencies and behaviours in line with NHS Wales values.

Q3. Do I need management experience?

The training Scheme is designed to develop your financial management, general management and leadership skills. If you have substantial financial management or general management experience, then this Scheme is not for you and you should explore other personal development options.

Q4. Will it help my application if I have some work experience in the NHS?

It isn’t essential, but it will be useful in helping you understand the big challenges of leading in the modern NHS.

Q5. Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit for applications to the Scheme.

Q6. If I already work for the NHS, should I tell my organisation I am applying for this scheme?

Because your current employer may need to agree secondment arrangements if you are successful, we ask you to tell your HR Department, in confidence, before you submit your application.

Q7. How can I find out about the progress of my application?

If you are invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process, you will receive your invitation via email. You are advised to check your email accounts regularly and if you have any queries please email: Financial Management Scheme: finance.academy@wales.nhs.uk

Q8. What kind of assessment can I expect?

We apply best practice, modern assessment techniques that are designed to give you every opportunity to demonstrate your leadership skills and potential. You will be made aware of the standards, competences and skills we are seeking at each stage. Part of our assessment is about your potential to develop key skills as well as those that you already possess.

Every part of the assessment has been designed to assess you and your potential. The assessment methods will include a blend of written, verbal and behavioural skills designed to enable applicants to demonstrate capability and potential in meeting leadership, financial management and general management competencies and behaviours in line with NHS Wales core principles.

Q9. How can I prepare for the assessment to give my best?

You need to be yourself and apply your natural ability at each assessment stage. You will need to review the available information about the Scheme and the big challenge of leading in NHS Wales. The website information gives you more detail about the selection assessment and can help you bring yourself up to speed about the understanding both the strategic direction and financial environment and the challenges facing NHS Wales.

Q10. When do the assessment stages take place?

A full timetable of the different assessment stages is available on this website. We will keep applicants informed at each stage by email.

Q11. How much will I be paid during the Scheme?

If you are new to the NHS, your starting salary will be around £28,000 pa with annual increments. If you are already employed in the NHS on different terms and conditions to the advertised position, you will need to discuss your application with your employer (any issue of protection of terms and conditions will be at the discretion of the employing Health Board concerned), so it is important that the HR Department are aware of your interest in the Scheme before you apply.

Q12. Where will I be based?

For the Financial Management Scheme, you will be based with a host organisation but will also gain experience of different finance roles in one or more organisations across NHS Wales.

We will ask you to identify your preferred employer(s) for the vacancies we have within NHS Wales prior to the Assessment Centre process.

Please note that, whilst we cannot guarantee that you will be placed with your preferred choice, if you are selected for the scheme we will try and ensure every effort is made to match you to your preferred location.

Q13. What support and development will I get during the scheme?

Your performance and progress will be closely managed by your line manager who will demand commitment and results and will give you feedback on your performance (both work based and academic) and potential. We will provide skill development workshops, study towards a professional accountancy qualification, Action Learning Sets and both an academic and general Mentor.

The Finance Academy team will manage the overall development of the Financial Management Scheme and provide online material and support as part of its finance staff development programme in NHS Wales. During the Scheme you will be asked to give a short presentation to the Finance Director of your Health Board or NHS Trust about your achievements and progress and you will receive feedback directly from them.

Q14. Will I be able to study for a formal qualification?

You will study an accredited professional accountancy qualification (currently ACCA) over three years. We expect you to achieve this qualification in order to graduate from the Scheme..

Applicants who hold an accountancy technician qualification are eligible to apply assuming they meet the other criteria including a 2:2 degree. Applicants who may hold exemptions from the accountancy exams will not be allowed to fast track as the overall scheme is designed to develop you over the three years.

Q15. How will my progress be measured during the Scheme?

The NHS Wales Financial Management Scheme has been designed as a three year Scheme with continuous performance assessment and formal assessment points at 6 monthly intervals when progress in your job, your development targets and academic progress will be discussed, agreed, recorded and reported. Your line manager will discuss your performance with you at every opportunity and your development will be shaped by these shared discussions.

There is a clear and transparent performance management process that is managed by the Finance Academy in partnership with your organisation.

If you have satisfactorily performed against the objectives and competences at each yearly stage including passing the relevant accountancy exams you should progress to the following year.

Year 1 will focus on developing core financial management skills and competences, whilst giving you a broad understanding of how different elements of organisations work together to provide world class health care for the people of Wales. You will have the opportunity to observe parts of organisations finance strategic systems in operation.
Year 2 will develop your financial management, business and partnering skills as well as continuing to further develop your management and leadership skills, giving breadth to your experience in the NHS.
Year 3 will focus on further developing your strategic financial, business and partnering skills, providing opportunities in placements that following discussion with your line manager interest you in order to shape this final year's experience.
Working in conjunction with reviews, throughout your time on the programme, you will also need to meet the requirements of the Competency Framework. This framework, as part of a Learning and Development Platform, has been designed for use by all finance staff designed primarily to create a culture of continuous learning and development and the expectation that development reviews and opportunities to meet development needs are a universal practice and to support and enable every member of the Finance Community to be the “best version of themselves” that they can be. Competencies are included comprising both generic leadership competencies and technical competencies.

In the event of difficulties you will be given an opportunity to improve and the Finance Academy and the HR Department will manage your performance through the host organisation’s capability procedures, which may mean that you would not progress to the next year.

In the event of failing exams at any stage discussions will take place with the accountancy academic team, your line manager, HR and Finance Academy which may result in you not progressing to the next year.

Q16. What kind of job opportunities can I expect to have once I have completed the training Scheme?

We expect those who successfully complete our three year Financial Management Scheme to apply for a significant financial management job. We will provide career support and coaching for our emerging leaders to tackle the big challenges in a wide range of finance roles across NHS Wales. Although there is not a guarantee of a permanent position at the end of the Scheme, the Health Boards, NHS Trusts and NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership have pledged their support for further development opportunities to be made available to the NHS Wales Financial Management participants.

Q17. Do I have to be a Welsh speaker?

Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply. You will not be required to speak Welsh as part of your role, and candidates who do not speak Welsh will be considered equally alongside those that do speak it.

The Welsh language forms a vibrant part of our culture and in many parts of Wales, you will hear Welsh spoken as an everyday language. You may wish to learn Welsh and if so you will find your organisation is committed to supporting you to learn.

Q18. Is this a fixed term or secondment position?

For External candidates this is a Fixed Term Contract with performance reviews.

For In- Service NHS Candidates, there is an opportunity for this to be a Secondment with performance reviews (any issue of protection of terms and conditions for internal candidates will be at the discretion of the employing Health Board concerned). Prior to applying, you will need to ensure you have your line managers permission.