At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead costing strategy and governance, turning data into insights for productivity.
- Company: Join a dynamic NHS group focused on innovative healthcare solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to influence care delivery.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for leadership and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by enhancing costing intelligence and decision-making.
- Qualifications: CCAB or CIMA qualified with significant experience in finance roles.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Overview
In this role you will lead the Group’s costing strategy and governance, shaping how cost information drives planning and performance management.
You’ll champion patient-level costing and service line reporting, turning data into insights that inform productivity opportunities.
You will collaborate with clinicians and senior managers to embed costing intelligence in decision-making and benchmarking across the Group.
A key focus is enhancing data capabilities (including Power BI) to deliver robust, auditable costing information at scale.
This is a high-impact role in a financially complex NHS group, offering the chance to influence care delivery through smarter costing.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development of the Group costing strategy and methodologies to improve quality and value of costing information
- Establish costing steering or assurance groups to develop costing use, including productivity analysis and best-practice sharing
- Drive continuous improvement for service line reporting and patient-level costing with finance and service managers
- Ensure national cost collection deadlines are met by coordinating the Costing team with informatics, service managers and finance colleagues
- Roll out costing and service line data across the Group to support decision-making, cost improvement programmes and national initiatives
- Lead major costing programmes, develop and maintain costing systems, and implement new methodologies and digital solutions
- Represent the Group in regional/national costing networks and contribute to best-practice development
- Provide professional leadership to the Costing team, including line management, workforce planning and staff development
- Build relationships with senior clinicians and external stakeholders, delivering specialist training and leading change initiatives
- Key requirements
- CCAB or CIMA qualified
- Significant post-qualification experience in a senior finance role
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- HFMA membership (desirable)
- Acute NHS experience (desirable)
- Experience in NHS costing, including the National Cost Collection, and using costing information to support productivity analysis and improvement
- Experience of costing and computerised accounting systems
- Proven track record of performance and staff development
- Experience of managing staff, setting objectives and training
- Awareness of the current NHS agenda and challenges (desirable)
- Experience of management accounting, cost accounting, financial planning and financial accounting in a large, complex organisation (desirable)
- Experience with external costing partners, system suppliers or benchmarking organisations (desirable)
- Knowledge of NHS payment mechanisms, tariffs and clinical coding (desirable)
- leadership and people management
- stakeholder engagement and relationship-building
- clear communication and training
- Power BI reporting and visualization
- costing systems and computerised accounting systems
- NHS National Cost Collection and productivity analysis
Lead Costing & Productivity Accountant in Swindon employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Costing & Productivity Accountant in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like National Health Service. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from National Health Service.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like National Health Service. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Costing & Productivity Accountant in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in National Health Service and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show National Health Service how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Health Service
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with National Health Service.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with National Health Service's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
