Band 4/5 Cost Accountant

NELFT NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to join as a Band 4/5 Cost Accountant. The role requires AAT qualification or progress towards it, proficiency in Excel, and a good understanding of finance principles, ideally with previous finance experience. The position is full-time and hybrid, with responsibilities including supporting data management and improving system accuracy. Training will be provided for the right candidate.

Benefits

Long-standing approach to equality and diversity

Flexible working opportunities

Proactive health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Dynamic and motivated individual required with a good understanding of finance principles.
• Previous finance experience in NHS or business partnering is advantageous.
• Appropriate training will be available.

Responsibilities

• Support and develop the National Cost & PLICs collection both internally and externally.
• Manage data and information accurately using the latest versions of policies.
• Review the quality of data provided and enhance it constantly.

Skills

AAT qualified or working towards it

Good working knowledge of IT systems

Proficient in Excel

Job description

Support development of Patient Level Costing by ensuring that all necessary data is captured and that the information is presented in an appropriate format for a broad range of staff. To be an exemplar of the Trust’s costing system; to model, develop and ensure the Trust is always working with the latest version.

Organisational Values 2025‑2030

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have coproduced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT. They are:
We are kind. We are respectful. We work together with our communities. These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.

New Starter Induction

All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless they are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).

High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London

This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,714 to a maximum of £5,941 per annum pro rata for part‑time).

Responsibilities

• To support and develop the National Cost & PLICs collection both internally and externally.
• To continually develop systems and procedures to improve accuracy and reliability of outputs.
• To manage data and information accurately and completely using the latest versions of policies and procedures in manual and electronic systems.
• Continually review the quality of data provided/downloaded from the costing system, working closely with Business Partners and Information staff to constantly improve and enhance the data.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application. We welcome your application even if you do not meet all the criteria listed in the person specification. Please apply as soon as possible as some posts close early to limit the number of applications.

Certificates of Sponsorship

Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points‑based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High‑Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Use of AI

Please see attached document regarding acceptable use of AI during the recruitment process.

Benefits

• A long‑standing and award‑winning approach to equality and diversity with supportive networks for ethnic minority staff, staff with disabilities or long‑term/chronic conditions and LGBT staff.
• A commitment to supporting colleagues to achieve a work‑life balance, through flexible working opportunities and our efforts to support our working parents and carers. This has resulted in us being recognised as a 'Top 10 Family Friendly Employer' by the Working Families Charity.
• Proactive health and wellbeing support, including access to our employee assistance programme, staff psychological support, individual wellbeing conversations and a network of health and wellbeing ambassadors.
• Detailed information about our wellbeing and benefits offer can be found in this link.

Supporting our Armed Forces

We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Gold Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. We have supportive policies, guaranteed interview schemes for veterans, reservists and military spouses and give additional leave to our Reservists so that they can attend their annual camp.

Job Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to join our team as a Band 4/5 Cost Accountant. We are open to offering this as a Band 4 developmental opportunity. We are advertising for one full‑time post to work in the finance team, based at our office in Rainham. You will ideally be AAT qualified or working towards it and have a good working knowledge of IT systems, particularly Excel. Previous finance experience in an NHS environment is an advantage, although not essential, as appropriate training will be available. Previous finance experience in business partnering is also an advantage, as you are required to have a full understanding of finance principles. The role available is hybrid and will cover the borough within NELFT, requiring travel from time to time.

Why Join #TeamNELFT

Joining #TeamNELFT means you'll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We're CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas. The Trust has award‑winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development, because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and we have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture here at NELFT. Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work, in this video.