The postholder will be a qualified accountant (CCAB or CIMA), having overall responsibility for managing the costing team and will lead the delivery and production of the East Kent Hospitals National Cost Collection and other costing returns and ensure their timely submission. The post holder will provide timely and accurate Service Line Reporting Reports (SLR) reports to support decision making in the Trust and will also work closely with the Information team for the resolution of data quality challenges. The post holder will be an active member of the Trust’s Senior Finance Management Team, responsible for providing management, training, motivation, leadership and development to the Trust’s finance team.
Main Duties are as follows:
1. Responsible for the completion and submission of the Trust’s annual National Schedule of Reference Costs by planning the timetable required for data collection and cost allocations to ensure the submission is made appropriately and in line with national and Trust guidance and timescales. Ensuring all data providers are aware of the timetable and format of the information required.
2. To liaise with NHSE/I appointed auditors for the NCC providing evidence and back up of data sources, procedures and methodology used in the supply of information to the board and external agencies.
3. To promote the patient level costing system and its outputs to the organisation, including formal presentation of data when required to large groups of managers and/or clinicians, using relevant presentational aids.
4. Liaise with colleagues in other organisations and using benchmarking tools to improve the accuracy and consistency of costing data and the understanding of methodologies and processes and to implement best practice
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.
Key responsibilities are as follows:
1. Responsible for the completion and submission of the Trust’s annual National Schedule of Reference Costs by planning the timetable required for data collection and cost allocations to ensure the submission is made appropriately and in line with national and Trust guidance and timescales. Ensuring all data providers are aware of the timetable and format of the information required.
2. To be the Trust expert in Patient Level Information Costing system (PLICS) and act as the main point of contact to the Care groups for all costing and profitability related issues.
3. Continually review the Approved Costing guidance issued by NHSE/I to ensure the costing principles are being adhered to and that the costing system is updated for any changes to the guidance. Updating procedure notes where necessary.
4. To liaise with NHSE/I appointed auditors for the NCC providing evidence and back up of data sources, procedures and methodology used in the supply of information to the board and external agencies.
5. Analyse the complex outputs from costing returns and communicate this complex information to managers to allow them to determine the appropriate allocation of resources and also support the Trust’s performance management processes.
6. To promote the patient level costing system and its outputs to the organisation, including formal presentation of data when required to large groups of managers and/or clinicians, using relevant presentational aids.
7. Discuss any complex costing queries with finance and non-finance managers
8. Deliver training and formal presentation sessions when required to large groups of managers and/or clinicians.
9. Support the development and maintenance of the costing strategy, policies and procedures.
10. Liaise with colleagues in other organisations and using benchmarking tools to improve the accuracy and consistency of costing data and the understanding of methodologies and processes and to implement best practice
11. Display an in-depth knowledge of financial, accounting, and NHS costing procedures
12. Participate in specific projects and multi-disciplinary working groups as and when required.
13. Ensure a prompt response to any other ad hoc requests that may arise.
14. Able to work independently and with significant freedom to act. The post-holder must be able to work with minimal reference to their line-manager and refer only for overall guidance and direction.
15. Will be required to attend meetings across the organisation with colleagues at varying levels of seniority up to Board-level Directors
This advert closes on Friday 14 Feb 2025