Head of Costing

NHS; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS teaching trust is seeking an experienced Costing Accountant to lead their costing team. The successful candidate will manage financial reporting, guide NHS costing practices, and ensure compliance with national standards. With over ten years of experience in finance and expert knowledge in NHS costing, you will play a crucial role in improving the Trust's financial processes. This permanent full-time position offers a competitive salary and the potential for flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Over ten years’ experience in a finance department of a large organisation.
• Expert knowledge of NHSE Future of Costing Programme.
• Advanced computer literacy including QlikView, PowerBI and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the costing team to meet NHS England Future of Costing requirements.
• Interpret complex NHS Costing guidance and determine its application.
• Oversee the delivery of the annual National Cost Collection.

Skills

Expert knowledge of NHS costing guidance

Advanced computer literacy

Excellent communication skills

Education

Fully Qualified Accountant (CCAB or equivalent)

Degree or equivalent qualification

Tools

QlikView

PowerBI

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

Are you a skilled financial professional with a passion for costing and reporting? Do you have experience in a large organisation, preferably within the NHS, and are looking to make a significant impact? The OUH are recruiting an experienced Costing Accountant to lead the Costing Team. If you are ready to take on this challenging and rewarding role, apply now and become a vital part of our finance team.

The main purpose of the post is to lead and manage the work of the costing team in meeting the challenge of NHS England (NHSE) Future of Costing requirements, the Lord Carter Review (Model Hospital and GIRFT), and other costing developments as they evolve. It also includes leading the embedding of the monthly Service Line Reporting (SLR) and internal trading, and the preparation of timely and accurate statutory and non-statutory returns for internal and external stakeholders.

To oversee the annual National Cost Collection and Education & Training returns to national deadlines.

Main duties

1. Lead and manage the costing team to meet NHSE Future of Costing requirements, the Lord Carter Review, and other evolving costing developments.
2. Lead the development and embedding of monthly Service Line Reporting (SLR) and internal trading to support the Trust’s strategic agenda, ensuring ongoing fitness for purpose through continuous development with senior finance and non-finance staff.
3. Lead the development of the Patient Level Costing model (PLICS) as a key tool for underpinning the Trust’s strategic direction.
4. Lead the participation and analysis of cost benchmarking data to identify potential savings supporting the CIP programme, utilising NHSE PLICs Portal and National Cost Collection cost index.
5. Act as an expert resource within the Trust for NHS Costing guidance.
6. Read, interpret and evaluate complex NHS Costing guidance, making independent judgments on its application and impact on the Trust.
7. Maintain understanding of current/future NHS Costing policy; ensure implementation of new guidance and inform key stakeholders of changes affecting performance.
8. Provide audience-appropriate briefings on guidance to directors, clinical and divisional staff, contracting and finance colleagues.
9. Provide expert costing guidance and support to clinical divisions.
10. Oversee the delivery of the annual National Cost Collection and Education & Training returns when required by NHSE.
11. Represent the Finance Directorate on the Trust’s Data Quality Group to improve patient data recording in EPR and other systems.
12. Manage recruitment, appraisals and objectives for staff within the Costing team, identifying training and development needs.
13. Present financial training sessions for finance and non-finance staff to embed the costing agenda.
14. Collaborate with senior staff across the organisation to achieve objectives.

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country, providing a wide range of clinical services and a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals: John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

We are committed to Delivering Compassionate Excellence through our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values underpin the care we provide and our professional relationships with patients and colleagues.

Details

Date posted: 10 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8b

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 per year (pro rata)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Location: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, OUH Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2PG

Job responsibilities

1. To proactively take the technical lead in developing and implementing the Trust’s response to NHSE Future of Costing developments and related reviews as they evolve.
2. To lead the development and embedding of monthly SLR and internal trading to support the Trust’s strategic agenda, ensuring ongoing fitness for purpose through collaboration with senior finance and non-finance staff.
3. To lead the development of the Patient Level Costing model (PLICS) as a core tool for strategic direction.
4. To lead cost benchmarking activities to identify potential savings supporting the CIP programme, using NHSE PLICs Portal and National Cost Collection data.
5. To be an expert resource for NHS Costing guidance within the Trust.
6. To interpret complex NHS Costing guidance and determine its application and impact on the Trust.
7. To monitor NHS Costing policy directions and implement new guidance, keeping key stakeholders informed.
8. To provide briefings on guidance to directors and staff across clinical, divisional and finance areas.
9. To provide expert costing guidance and support to clinical divisions.
10. To oversee the delivery of the annual National Cost Collection and Education & Training returns when required by NHSE.
11. To represent the Finance Directorate on the Trust’s Data Quality Group to improve patient data recording.
12. To manage staff recruitment, appraisals and development within the Costing team and identify training needs.
13. To deliver financial training sessions to embed the costing agenda across the organisation.
14. To collaborate with senior staff to achieve organisational objectives.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Fully Qualified Accountant (CCAB or other equivalent)
• Degree or equivalent relevant qualification

Desirable

• Post graduate level management qualification

Experience/Skills

• Over ten years’ experience in a finance department of a large organisation, preferably the NHS
• Expert knowledge of NHS costing guidance, national cost collection costs and education & training costs
• Expert knowledge of NHSE Future of Costing Programme and impact of NHS Federated Data Platform
• Expert knowledge of HFMA Costing Standards
• Advanced computer literacy including QlikView, PowerBI and Microsoft Office
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for presenting to non-financial managers

Desirable

• SQL scripting and Oracle Financials
• Working knowledge of NHSPS tariff

Other information

Disclosures: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975; a DBS disclosure may be required.

Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. See UK Visas and Immigration guidance for details.

Employer details: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, OUH Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2PG

Employer website: https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/