Accenture Ltd., one of the world's largest consulting firms, is poised to pull out of a major computer system project for the NHS as early as Thursday, two newspapers reported.

Its contract with the NHS to overhaul the publicly funded service's IT system is worth 2 billion pounds.

The Financial Times reported that the finishing touches were being put on negotiations on Wednesday night for Accenture to give most of its work, with the exception of digital X ray systems, to U.S. listed Computer Sciences Corporation.

The Guardian also said an exit deal had been agreed with health executives.

A joint statement from Accenture and the NHS could be issued as early as tonight, when the consultancy firm is due to report full year earnings figures in the U.S., it reported.

Neither newspaper cited sources for their articles.

Accenture said in March it would take a $450 million (238.6 million pound) charge related to its work on the NHS project to design, implement and manage a computer system that allows hospitals, doctors and other providers to compile and share electronic patient records.

Accenture Chief Executive Bill Green blamed the problems on delays in delivery of software from iSoft Group, cost overruns and concerns that some primary care physicians will not adopt the new system.