Job title: Accountant Grade I
Employer: Government of Ireland
Location: Dublin
Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 3rd April 2025
Salary: Starting at €84,937
About the Employer:
The Civil Service assists Government in the formulation of policies over the whole range of Government activities by means of thorough and detailed analysis of existing policies and programmes and the identification of viable alternatives. The Civil Service is also responsible for giving effect to Government decisions through the delivery of services to the public in a prompt and efficient manner.
Civil Service Departments are looking for people with the potential to take on high level responsibilities in the role of Accountant. As the business, economic and social environment becomes more complex and demanding, there is an increasing need to ensure that a wider range of Accountancy skills are available within the Civil Service. The environment within which this role operates is very complex, and high administrative standards are required to meet the considerable challenges of the present time. Citizens and businesses rightly expect continuous improvement in services which are delivered faster, better and more cost effectively.
Benefits:
1. Salary, starting at €84,937 with yearly increments for satisfactory performance rising to €106,004 after a number of years in the grade.
2. Public Sector pension.
3. 30 days of annual leave per year.
4. Flexible working, with a commitment to work-life balance and a family-friendly workplace.
5. Learning and development opportunities, including access to a refund of course fees scheme, paid study leave and paid examination leave.
6. Access to Shorter Work Year Scheme.
7. Facility to apply for career breaks.
8. Cycle to work scheme.
9. Access to Public Service Credit Union.
10. Tax saver public transport pass.
11. Opportunities for promotion through internal, inter-departmental and open competitions.
About the Role:
Whilst the duties of the role may vary between Civil Service Departments/Offices, the following broadly describes typical financial and management accountant duties which might be associated with the role:
1. Contributing to, preparing, overseeing and quality assuring the Department’s/Organisation’s annual statutory accounts or appropriation accounts and financial management reports in accordance with Public Financial Procedures and Guidelines and in accordance with recognised financial reporting standards.
2. Contributing to, preparing, overseeing, quality assuring and presenting annual budget figures, monthly management accounts, reconciliations, management control checks, variance analysis and other financial and management reports as required.
3. Reconciliation and timely actioning of suspense, bank and/or agency accounts.
4. Liaising with the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), internal and EU external auditor where applicable and dealing with any issues arising.
5. Providing assurance on adequacy of financial management and reconciliation systems.
6. Providing expert advice across the Department/Organisation on audit and financial management issues particularly to the Accounting Officer and, where applicable, assisting the Accounting Officer in preparing for appearances at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The Role may also involve accompanying the Accounting Officer to the PAC.
7. Participating in accounting system implementation, upgrade and enhancement projects.
8. Advising and contributing on a range of shared service and cross Government/Departmental/Organisational projects including, for example, a move to Accrual Accounting or Finance Shared Services where this has not already happened.
9. Where appropriate, liaising with and seeking sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform or the employing Organisation’s parent Department in respect of accounting matters.
10. Ensuring proper reconciliation of all payment instruments and accounts.
11. Utilising professional accounting knowledge for accounting system implementation, upgrade and enhancements.
12. Ensuring proper internal and accounting controls and performance measures are in place to deliver efficient and high value services.
13. Ensuring that the Department/Organisation is compliant with taxation legislation.
14. Managing the budgeting and funding process within the Department/Organisation to ensure that there is sufficient funding in place to meet the daily operational needs of the Department/Organisation.
15. Contributing to, preparing, overseeing briefing materials which can be technical in nature and written responses to Freedom of Information queries, Parliamentary Questions, etc.
16. Taking initiative and responsibility for challenging tasks and delivering on time and to a high standard.
17. Planning and prioritising work in terms of importance, timescales and other resource constraints and re-prioritising in light of changing circumstances.
18. Displaying flexibility and adaptability in the performance and development of the role.
19. Managing and supervising a team including performance management.
20. Leading and maximising the contribution of the team as a whole and driving a culture of continuous improvement.
21. Clearly defining objectives and goals and delegating effectively.
22. Encouraging ownership and responsibility for tasks.
23. Ensuring quality and efficient customer service is central to the work of the division/organisation/team.
24. Looking critically at issues to see how things can be done better.
25. Presenting financial/management accounting information in a confident, logical and convincing manner.
26. Encouraging open and constructive discussions around work issues.
27. Working on projects across Departments/Organisations and Sectors.
28. Developing and maintaining a network of contacts to facilitate problem solving or information sharing.
29. Engaging effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
About You:
Candidates must have:
1. On or before Thursday, 3rd April 2025, full membership of a prescribed accountancy body supervised by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA).
2. Significant relevant post qualification accountancy/audit experience including management accounting and/or financial accounting, financial services, fund management or the regulatory environment.
3. A comprehensive knowledge of financial reporting standards, such as FRS 102, or Central Government Accounting Standards (CGAS), and their practical application.
4. A knowledge of accrual accounting (CGAS) and cash counting (Public Financial Procedures) or the ability to quickly acquire same.
5. Experience of managing staff and other resources.
6. A high degree of technical, analytical, conceptual and problem-solving skills in financial and business management.
7. A strong track record in the exercise of sound professional judgement.
8. A track record of showing personal initiative with a proven ability to make sound judgements on management and staffing issues.
9. Excellent oral and written communication skills including a track record in the provision of high-quality written reports and a demonstrated ability to summarise financial issues and present information in a logical and comprehensive manner.
10. Excellent interpersonal skills with the capacity to operate effectively and credibly at a senior level including the ability to engage, influence and persuade stakeholders at all levels across sectoral, organisational, and professional boundaries.
11. Excellent process management and organisational skills with the capacity to complete work thoroughly and to a high standard.
12. Flexibility and be results-focused with the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines with attention to detail.
13. Strong Project Management skills.
14. Good IT skills including a familiarity with integrated Financial Management Systems, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
15. The capability of operating effectively on their own initiative and/or as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
16. A commitment to continuous development of skills and professional qualifications.
17. A good understanding of public sector accounting and financial management systems or the ability to quickly acquire such understanding.
18. An awareness of the environment within which the civil service operates and a strong commitment to serving the public interest.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 3rd April, 2025.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
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