Accountant, Public Sector, Kildare

• Kildare
• Contract
• Industry
• Reference: 24718YR

Our client a Public Sector body based in Kildare are looking to recruit an accountant to join their team. This role will support the Head of Finance in delivering expert financial advice and decision support within their department.  The team are involved in providing high quality analysis in order to safely reduce costs and secure appropriate additional investment in services, including by linking inputs to outputs/outcomes and demonstrating value for money

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Performance

• Play a lead role in engaging on behalf of the  Head of Finance with Service colleagues on all matters of financial performance;
• Support and develop the provision of financial analysis and commentary in accordance with agreed deadlines;
• Work closely with senior colleagues in a number of key performance processes, including Estimates, Service planning & Budget Allocation;
• Engage effectively with service leads to ensure adequacy of expenditure control and cost containment
• Financial/governance/compliance aspects of managing the relationship with funded service providers
• Communicate effectively with all internal/external stakeholders

Financial Control/Compliance

• Reviewing and sign-off of relevant management accounting and financial accounting information including accruals/prepayments, cost transfers, monthly and ad-hoc reports, cost containment reports, forecasts and cash reports
• Assist the team in the Annual Tax Compliance review
• Implementation of control improvements/audit recommendations with service leads;
• Provide analysis as required of income and maximising same/minimising write-offs
• Deliver effectively against any other requirements under controls/compliance as required from time to time by Head of Finance

Service Improvement

• Play a key role in supporting improvements in financial data management, including  integrity of ERP system data, local databases and other data interfaces, for example with HR and Services KPI;
• Support the rollout of key system reform processes, including IFMS, CFI, Stabilisation and Finance Reform;

Requirements

• Be a member or passed finalist of a recognised or prescribed accountancy body such as ACCA, CPA, ACMA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent
• Have a demonstrable record of achievement in a financial analysis/reporting role within a large complex organisation, encompassing direct engagement with and influencing of senior decision makers;
• Be able to display a keen understanding of and ability to use ERP systems and to translate that usage into the production of management information
• Be highly proficient in using spreadsheets and/or databases to deliver solutions to business challenges
• Have shown an ability to influence change through effective communication of financial and business information

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• In-depth knowledge and experience of financial systems and use of reporting methodologies
• Effective report writing and communication of key message to non-financial managers
• Knowledge and experience of Financial Reporting Standards (FRS) and best practice in organisational governance and compliance
• Proficiency with office systems including excellent knowledge or Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Critical analysis, Problem Solving and Decision Making

• The ability to evaluate complex information from a variety of sources and make effective decisions
• The ability to recognise when it is appropriate to refer decisions to a higher level of management
• Excellent analytical skills to enable analysis, interpretation of data and data extraction from multiple data sources
• The ability to quickly grasp and understand complex issues and the impact on service delivery
• The ability to confidently explain the rationale behind a decision when faced with opposition
• Ability to make sound decisions with a well-reasoned rationale

Managing & Delivering Results (Operational Excellence)

• Excellent organisational and time management skills to meet objectives within agreed timeframes and achieve quality results
• A proven ability to prioritise, organise and schedule a wide variety of tasks and to manage competing demands and tight deadlines while consistently maintaining high standards and positive working relationships
• The ability to proactively identify areas for improvement and to develop practical solutions for their implementation
• The ability to use resources effectively, challenging processes to improve efficiencies where appropriate
• A client/user and customer focus in the delivery of services

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• The ability to present information clearly, concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing, tailoring to meet the needs of the audience
• The ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing the role
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a dynamic team and multi stakeholder environment

This is a lovely role for an experienced candidate to join on a contract basis.

Working week 35 hours

Annual leave 25 days

If you are interested in the above or any other finance roles, please contact Yvonne Rafter Ph: 01 6797990 or e-mail: contracts@accountancysolutions.ie