Job requirements
Essential
15 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Skills
Able to work with data and produce figures in a clear, accurate and meaningful manner
- Skills
Able to concentrate over long periods while dealing effectively with interruptions
- Skills
Able to analyse data and trends to draw conclusions and support decision making
- Skills
Ability to manage own time and administration in an effective manner.
- Skills
Must be able to work as part of a team
- Skills
Demonstrates continuous self and professional development
- Skills
Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify anomalies in data.
- Skills
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Skills
Must be able to work without direct supervision
- Knowledge
Knowledge of the NHS finance regime particularly those relevant to financial management and costing.
- Experience
Previous experience in a financial management or costing role.
- Experience
Able to perform complex numerical data and producing accurate, meaningful analysis.
- Experience
Ability to communicate financial or costing information to divisional teams and managers from a non-finance background
- Qualifications
5 GCSEs or equivalent, including English & Maths
- Qualifications
Relevant academic background: CCAB or CIMA part-qualified at certificate level, or AAT qualified.
Desirable
8 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Skills
Knowledge and use of Microsoft Power BI
- Knowledge
Knowledge of the Costmaster costing system
- Knowledge
Knowledge of NHS Costing procedures
- Experience
Experience of working in an NHS Finance department.
- Experience
Previous experience of using an activity-based costing system.
- Experience
Experience of staff management
- Qualifications
Degree or postgraduate level management qualification.
- Qualifications
Progression towards or willingness to study CCAB or CIMA qualification.
Job overview
To support the delivery of a high-quality costing service, recognising the increasing strategic importance of accurate patient-level costing data in delivering the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, productivity and efficiency improvements, and the move towards more activity and outcome-focused funding arrangements.
The post holder will support the maintenance and development of PLICS, ensuring costing data is robust, accurate and capable of supporting Deconstructing the Block, productivity and efficiency analysis, benchmarking, service redesign, financial modelling and decision-making. The role will help clinical divisions and corporate directorates understand the relationship between activity, resource utilisation and cost, enabling the identification of unwarranted variation and opportunities to improve value.
The post holder will also provide timely advice on costing methodology, support improvements in costing and activity data quality, liaise with system suppliers and peer NHS trusts, and assist the Cost and SLR Accountant in developing meaningful costing intelligence for operational and strategic decision-making.
All interviews will be held face to face (we are unable to accommodate virtual interviews)
A short excel assessment will take place prior to the interview. Assessment details - excel test on patient level activity and costs
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support the effective collection, processing, validation and maintenance of costing data, including PLICS, national costing submissions, Service Line Reporting and the Trust Costing Manual. They will help ensure compliance with national costing guidance, support benchmarking and service reviews, develop appropriate costing and apportionment methodologies, and respond to costing queries from clinical divisions and corporate departments. Recognising the increasing importance of robust costing and activity data in supporting Deconstructing the Block, productivity and efficiency, the post holder will provide meaningful costing insight, including unit costs, cost drivers and analysis of variation, to help services understand resource utilisation, identify opportunities for improvement and support evidence-based decision-making across the Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post holder will support the effective collection, processing and maintenance of costing data, including the PLICS system, national costing submissions, Service Line Reporting and the Trust costing manual. They will help ensure compliance with national costing guidance, support benchmarking and service reviews, develop costing and apportionment approaches, respond to queries from divisions and corporate departments, and provide costing insight, including unit costs and cost driver analysis, to support decision-making across the Trust.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Assistant Cost Accountant with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust in Warrington, England. It is listed as a Band 5 Accountant role. The advertised salary is £32,073 - £39,043 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 01 Nov 2026.
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