Staff Officer Acountant

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Staff Officer Accountant, 12 Months Fixed Term Contract

SALARY SCALE: £41,272 - £42,570 per annum

REPORTS TO: Head of Finance

LOCATION: Enniskillen

SUMMARY OF ROLE

To contribute to an efficient and effective finance function, supporting strategic financial management, liaising with senior managers on budget management, preparation of management accounts and support on annual financial statements, interrogating the information received and challenging responses as necessary to ensure these are complete and accurate and providing information and support to internal and external stakeholders.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Produce management reports and variance analysis and maintain budget control through regular contact with budget holders engaging in the use of digital technology
• Prepare budgets and scenario planning in consultation with budget holders, line management and Senior Management Team
• Assist in the planning and preparation of the draft Annual Accounts preparing supporting papers as required
• Ensure all work is completed on time and is adequately resourced
• Assist the Cost Modelling Specialist in the maintenance of the Fixed Asset Register and preparation of relevant papers for the Annual Accounts
• Contribute to enhanced systems and processes being implemented
• Provide support to the Cost Modelling Specialist in relation to updating valuations for Operational Heritage Assets
• Support business case preparation where required
• Support the administration and management of claims for third party funding, liaising with relevant staff and co-ordinating and submitting relevant paperwork
• Ensure financial policies and procedures are kept up to date where necessary
• Support an adequate system of internal control is operated for the prevention, detection and investigation of irregularities including fraud and corruption.
• Provide reports, returns and financial information as required by Sponsor Departments and external stakeholders
• Co-ordinate responses to PQ's and AQ's
• Enhance current systems and implement new systems as required, providing training, establishing KPI’s, updating procedures and policies to achieve efficiencies and improved business practices.
• Comply with and actively promote Waterways Ireland policies and procedures on all aspects of equality.
• Complete all training as required by Waterways Ireland within specified timeframes.

The above list is not exhaustive, and you may be required to take on other duties and responsibilities for the effective and efficient performance of your role. The organisation operates within a changing environment, and you will be required to be flexible and adapt to these changes and to develop your role as a result going forward.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they meet the eligibility and essential criteria in their application form and at interview. Desirable criteria may be used as necessary in the selection process.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAI) and at least 2 years’ experience in a similar role, or

Part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAI and at least 3 years’ experience in a similar role, and

Hold a current driving licence and possess access to a form of transport which will permit travel throughout Ireland.

Essential Criteria

• Experience in the preparation of both management and year end accounts, preparing for audits, using a computerised accounts package and experience supervising staff.
• Strong technical, numerical, excel and word skills with the ability to analyse and report financial information efficiently.
• Ability to analyse data and produce relevant accurate reports.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels including senior management.
• Proficient in the use of IT, including Microsoft packages such as Excel, Word etc.
• A high degree of self-motivation and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work to manage deadlines often to tight timescales.
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Flexible approach with a focus on service and performance

Desirable Criteria

Applicants are asked to demonstrate how they meet Desirable Criteria outlined below. This may be used in shortlisting applicants.

• Experience of working in two jurisdictions, familiar with payroll and procurement legislation in each
• Previous experience of working in the public sector

Short-listing Process

A short-list of candidates for interviews will be prepared on the basis of the information contained in the application. It is essential that all applicants demonstrate on their application how, and the extent to which, they satisfy each of the Eligibility, Essential & Desirable Criteria.

Only those candidates who meet the Eligibility Criteria will proceed to the formal short-listing process.

The candidates who meet the Eligibility Criteria will then have the information contained in their application assessed against the Essential & Desirable Criteria.

Where a specified period of experience is mentioned, it may be increased as a method of reducing numbers or in the event of a large volume of candidates the Desirable Criteria may also be used.

Reserve Panel

This competition will create a merit-based panel which will last 12 months. Similar opportunities that arise over the next 12 months will be offered to successful applicants in