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Posted 1 month(s) ago
Reference: 350-TWS8195336
Job summary
To support delivery of a high-quality costing service, providing timely advice on costing methodology to clinical divisions and corporate directorates. The post holder will help maintain PLICS, manage costing data, support reporting and financial modelling, liaise with suppliers and peer Trusts, and assist the Cost and SLR Accountant as required.
Candidates will be required to complete a short Excel assessment to demonstrate their ability to use core Excel functions, manipulate and analyse data, and present information accurately. The test will assess practical Excel skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving capability in a data-driven environment.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support the effective collection, processing and maintenance of costing data, including the PLICS system, national costing submissions, Service Line Reporting and the Trust costing manual. They will help ensure compliance with national costing guidance, support benchmarking and service reviews, develop costing and apportionment approaches, respond to queries from divisions and corporate departments, and provide costing insight, including unit costs and cost driver analysis, to support decision-making across the Trust.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Details
Date posted
10 August 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 5
Salary
£32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
350-TWS8195336
Job locations
Hollins Park
Hollins Park, Winwick
Warrington
WA2 8WA
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will support the effective collection, processing and maintenance of costing data, including the PLICS system, national costing submissions, Service Line Reporting and the Trust costing manual. They will help ensure compliance with national costing guidance, support benchmarking and service reviews, develop costing and apportionment approaches, respond to queries from divisions and corporate departments, and provide costing insight, including unit costs and cost driver analysis, to support decision-making across the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will support the effective collection, processing and maintenance of costing data, including the PLICS system, national costing submissions, Service Line Reporting and the Trust costing manual. They will help ensure compliance with national costing guidance, support benchmarking and service reviews, develop costing and apportionment approaches, respond to queries from divisions and corporate departments, and provide costing insight, including unit costs and cost driver analysis, to support decision-making across the Trust.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 GCSEs or equivalent.
- Relevant academic background: CCAB or CIMA part-qualified at certificate level, or AAT qualified.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Previous experience of working at degree or equivalent level within a financial research, planning or costing environment.
Desirable
- Degree or postgraduate level management qualification.
- Experience of working in a Mental Health Trust.
- Experience of preparing and presenting reports to non-finance staff
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a financial research, planning or costing environment
- Experience of working with complex numerical data and producing accurate, meaningful analysis
- Experience of communicating financial or costing information to divisional teams and managers from a non-finance background
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a Mental Health Trust.
- Exposure to Mental Health Payment or Payment by Results.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the NHS finance regime.
- Ability to perform complex numerical calculations and evidence good analytical skills.
- Understanding of approved national costing guidance and its application within the NHS
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Costmaster costing system
- oUnderstanding of activity-based costing systems
Skills
Essential
- Able to work with data and produce figures in a clear, accurate and meaningful manner
- Able to concentrate over long periods while dealing effectively with interruptions
- Able to analyse data and trends to draw conclusions and support decision making
- Ability to manage own time and administration effectively
- Able to work as part of a team and without direct supervision
- Demonstrates continuous self and professional development
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify anomalies in data.
- Ability to carry out research and be proactive.
Desirable
- Previous experience of using an activity-based costing system
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 GCSEs or equivalent.
- Relevant academic background: CCAB or CIMA part-qualified at certificate level, or AAT qualified.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Previous experience of working at degree or equivalent level within a financial research, planning or costing environment.
Desirable
- Degree or postgraduate level management qualification.
- Experience of working in a Mental Health Trust.
- Experience of preparing and presenting reports to non-finance staff
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a financial research, planning or costing environment
- Experience of working with complex numerical data and producing accurate, meaningful analysis
- Experience of communicating financial or costing information to divisional teams and managers from a non-finance background
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in a Mental Health Trust.
- Exposure to Mental Health Payment or Payment by Results.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the NHS finance regime.
- Ability to perform complex numerical calculations and evidence good analytical skills.
- Understanding of approved national costing guidance and its application within the NHS
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Costmaster costing system
- oUnderstanding of activity-based costing systems
Skills
Essential
- Able to work with data and produce figures in a clear, accurate and meaningful manner
- Able to concentrate over long periods while dealing effectively with interruptions
- Able to analyse data and trends to draw conclusions and support decision making
- Ability to manage own time and administration effectively
- Able to work as part of a team and without direct supervision
- Demonstrates continuous self and professional development
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify anomalies in data.
- Ability to carry out research and be proactive.
Desirable
- Previous experience of using an activity-based costing system
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Hollins Park
Hollins Park, Winwick
Warrington
WA2 8WA
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Hollins Park
Hollins Park, Winwick
Warrington
WA2 8WA
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)