Cost Accountant job description

To be responsible for collecting, validating and processing apportionment and costing information.

To support the Senior Cost Accountant in the production of monthly Service Line Reports and the annual Reference Costs and Programme Budgeting returns and any other financial returns that are required.

The post holder will access and analyse highly complex data to enable the accurate apportionment of costs and the setting of tariffs that accurately reflects the cost of treatment.

Service Line Reporting

• The post holder will support the Senior Cost Accountant in the production of monthly Service Line Reports and the annual Reference Costs / Programme Budgeting returns.

• Working on the development and maintenance of the Organisation’s costing and Service Line Reporting system, ensuring that information is accurate.

• Responsible for collecting, validating and processing apportionment and costing information used in the production of SLR.

• Responsible for accessing and interpreting highly complex information from the financial ledger and data warehouse and inputting into the costing system with speed and accuracy to meet reporting timetables.

• To work closely with the Contracting Team and Information Department and others involved in commissioning to ensure that all corporate income accurately reflects both agreed Service Level Agreements and actual activity data.

• Developing the production of regular reports to the Finance Committee.

Reference Costs and Programme Budgeting

• To support the Senior Cost Accountant in the preparation of statutory returns including Reference Costs and Programme Budgeting

• To assist in compiling the Organisation’s submissions in accordance with guidelines.

• Responsible for collecting, validating and processing apportionment and costing information used in the production of these returns and ensuring cost apportionments are accurate.

• To undertake analyses to compare the Organisation’s unit costs.

Development of PBR Tariffs

• To support the Senior Cost Accountant in the development of a PBR tariff.

• Responsible for collecting and analysing highly complex cost and activity data to support the implementation of PBR tariffs.

• Liaising with Organisation Senior managers, clinicians the Information Department as well as external bodies to ensure that tariffs are set to accurately reflect costs.

• The post holder will be expected to suggest improvements in data recording where they have encountered insufficient or incomplete information. This will include the need to understand highly complex systems and processes and how each one interacts, and where possible system weaknesses may need rectifying.

• In conjunction with the Senior Cost Accountant to devise a project plan for the development of PBR tariffs and to monitor the progress of the project.

• To analyse the impact of PBR on the financial position of the Organisation.

• To promote Organisation Wide awareness of PBR to both finance and non-finance staff.

Other Responsibilities

• To work in accordance with and have working knowledge of the costing guidelines issued by the Department of Health.

• Working with the Finance and Business Managers in the costing of business cases and service developments, and providing specialist advice to ensure full recovery of overhead/support costs.

• To provide appropriate, accurate and timely financial information, analysis and specialist advice to the managers, and other finance colleagues so as to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities. This will involve working to tight deadlines and presenting complex information in a clear and persuasive manner to a range of people with different interests.

• To participate in the training and guidance to all senior managers within the Organisation on issues of Reference costing & payment by results. This will require a variety of communication methods including delivering training seminars for staff.

• To ensure the prompt and accurate completion of various Organisation based returns and other financial analyses as required.

• To deputise for the Senior Cost Accountant as appropriate.

• To make a proactive contribution in pursuit of optimum efficiency through VFM studies, market testing, benchmarking etc.

• To perform any other duties as discussed and agreed with Deputy Finance and Business Manger / Senior Cost Accountant

TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

Part Qualified in CCAB
/ equivalent relevant experience

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Minimum of one year’s accounting experience
Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex data
2 years experience of manipulating and analysing data and producing summary reports using a range of analytical and/or statistical techniques.
Excellent IT skills including advanced Excel skills
Ability to interpret and explain issues to non-technical staff.
Communication Ability to communicate effectively with all disciplines of staff in large groups- both written and verbally.
Ability to work in a confidential and sensitive manner.
Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team.
Good written & verbal presentation skills.
Strong interpersonal skills.

PERSONAL QUALITIES
Logical, analytical approach to problem-solving

Ability to work under pressure and achieve deadlines

Attention to detail and accuracy.

Ability to prioritise own workload.

Ability to work on own initiative and as a team member

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Cost Accountant job description