Financial Accountant

The Financial Accountant is a senior position within the Finance Department reporting to the Head of Finance. The successful candidate will be responsible for modernising and managing change in the finance function. They will be responsible for the introduction of new initiatives, policies and procedures and working with multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic and progressive organisation that provides a multiplicity of services to the City and County.

The Finance Department has responsibility for:
 

• Financial and management accounting - including the preparation of revenue and capital budgets, and the Annual Financial Statement.
• Management of long and short-term finances, including Treasury Management.
• Development and improvement of financial systems.
• Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.
• Tax Returns.
• Tax Compliance.
• Travel & Subsistence.
• Accounts Receivable.
• Fixed Assets.
• Property & Leasing.
• Insurance.
• Procurement.
• Motor Taxation
• Financial Governance & Compliance.
• Financial Reporting.
• Internal Audit.
• Public Spending Code.
• NOAC Performance Indicators.
• Financial analysis & support to wider organisation

Local Government is placing a greater emphasis on Strategic Management, accountability, performance management and customer service. As a key member of the finance management team you will be required to make a valuable contribution to the strategic management of the finance function. This is an opportunity for an experienced finance professional to fully utilize their professional, technical and management skills in an environment that promotes a high-performance culture.

 
The duties of the post of the Financial Accountant include, but are not limited to:

• Preparation of the statutory accounts for Waterford City & County Council;
• Assisting with the compilation and preparation of the statutory Local Authority Budget;
• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders including; Auditors, Department of Housing and Local Government, Office of the Revenue Commissioners, National Oversight and Audit Commission, Banks and funding providers;
• Ensuring that the entities under the Chief Executive’s control adhere to currently accepted accounting standards and relevant codes of practice;
• Management and control of the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department and its sections;
• Operation and development of the Council’s accounts receivable/debt management function;
• Monitoring and implementing/improving internal controls and checks to ensure good financial control, safeguarding of assets etc.;
• Ensuring the rapid, timely and accurate preparation of financial and management reports through the use of automated systems;
• Monitoring, interpretation and reporting on monthly management accounts for senior management and their sections;
• Preparation, implementation and on-going review of the Local Authority’s finance plans including management of capital budgets;
• Financial planning and analysis including ad-hoc financial analysis and modeling;
• Introduction of reporting structures and systems in line with new requirements of legislation/ circulars / value for money reports;
• Providing financial advice and assistance to internal departments to support the achievement of the Corporate Objectives and support devolved budgeting structures;
• Ensuring the adequacy of financial systems in the Council and, in particular, their support by adequate information systems;
• Implementing changes in existing financial systems as required;
• Promoting and assisting the implementation of good practice in: Risk Management; Procurement; Value for Money; Shared Services; Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Managing and developing staff in the Finance function to ensure the highest standards of proficiency and work with a variety of non-Finance teams, and to ensure the training and development of employees;
• Operation and development of the Council’s Debtor Management & Credit Control functions;
• Cash flow management, Treasury & Loan reporting and management;
• To implement the agreed strategies to meet and to expand or improve the range, quantity or quality of existing services and to recommend changes in strategies as required.
• Develop and maintain the property interest register.
• Build effective teams, develop motivation and commitment and maintain sound employee relations and morale in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation.
• Participate and take part in duties as required as part of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System to promote and ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees within the team.
• Participate and take part in the duties as required as part of the organisational response to Climate Action to promote and ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action.
• Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned from time to time.

 

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for the position of Financial Accountant shall be as set out hereunder: -

Qualifications
 

1. Character

Candidates shall be of good character.
 

2. Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
 

3. Education, Training, Experience etc.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
 

1. Possess a professional accountancy qualification and be a member of a recognised body of accountants, and

(ii)         Have satisfactory experience of accountancy work, including management accounting and/or financial accounting, and

3. Be experienced in the management of staff, and
4. Possess knowledge of public sector finance.

 
The ideal candidate shall have:
 

• Knowledge of accounting methods, procedures, processes and contemporary management accounting techniques and principles;
• Extensive experience in leading, developing and implementing financial and resource allocation strategies that support Strategic Corporate objectives;
• Experience in the identification of critical financial issues and of briefing senior management and/or Board of same;
• Extensive experience of analysis, conceptual thinking and problem solving in Finance and Business Management;
• Experience of staff supervision and performance management;
• Highly developed relationship management and interpersonal skills and a capacity to promote co-operation, trust and openness amongst staff and customers; 
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, including negotiation, report writing and presentation skills;
• Excellent working knowledge of integrated Financial Management Systems, Microsoft Office or equivalent;
• Experience in risk management and procurement.

It is desirable that candidates should also be able to demonstrate:
 

• Knowledge of the Agresso FMS or other major financial management systems.

good working knowledge of Irish Tax, specifically in the areas of VAT, RCT, & PSWT

• An ability to determine priorities and organise workloads in order to produce quality output within tight timeframes;
• Proven ability to work under pressure and think laterally in dealing with a wide range of issues;

Candidates must also:
 

• Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned;
• Be suitable on the grounds of character;
• Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned.

 
Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they:
 

• Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed;
• Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, meet the above essential criteria.














 

Human Resources Department