Accountant Grade I

Overview of the Role

The key features of the role are:

The Finance Unit effectively reconciles and reports on all income, expenditure, maintaining appropriate accounting records of all financial transactions. The unit plays a critical role in providing financial, strategic and operational support and advice at all levels the Board. It is responsible for providing the Executive Management Team (EMT), the Audit, Risk & Finance committee (ARFC) and the Statutory Board with financial information and reports to assist with decision making and the delivery of improved services and value for money throughout the organisation.

Responsibilities

·      Effective management and oversight of the Board’s Estimates process, its annual budget, monitoring and reporting of profiled expenditure against actual expenditure, the budget forecasts, the Appropriation Account and other official reporting functions as may be required;

·      Overseeing all external audits, ensuring audits are managed and supported effectively and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders including Comptroller and Auditor General and Department of Justice;

·      Overseeing the preparation of internal and external financial and management reports;

·      Reviewing the Financial Management Framework of the Board, giving consideration to the Financial Knowledge repository, identifying areas where revised policies are needed and implementing new improvements to our financial management policies, procedures and systems;

·      Enhancement and maintenance of the overall financial control environment to ensure best practice;

·      Lead out on designing a reform agenda for the Board’s finance function to ensure the unit can effectively respond to the continued growth of the organisation;

·      Providing financial advice and assistance to the finance unit and other internal business units to support the achievement of the corporate objectives;

·      Plan, organise, manage and supervise the work of direct reports including staff development;

·      Participate in Board committees, working groups or projects as assigned by the Director of Corporate Services;

·      Play a key role in Boards governance environment, particularly ensuring compliance with the Finance and Reporting requirements as detailed in the Code of Practice for the Governance of state Bodies;

·      Lead out on all change management initiatives, including new accounting system implementation, upgrades and enhancement projects;

·      Developing a culture within the unit of open communication, innovation and growth;

·      Advising and contributing on a range of shared service and cross Government/Organisational projects;

·      Fostering strong collaborative relationships with senior managers across the organisation

·      Providing expert advice 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;

Applicants should note that the above is a general guide to the role and is not an exhaustive description of the duties which are associated with the role or tasks which may be assigned to the role of Accountant Grade I in the Legal Aid Board. Applicants should also note that additional duties may be assigned by the Director of Corporate Services.

Essential Entry Requirements

Candidates must, have at the closing date for this competition:

·      Full membership of a prescribed accountancy body supervised by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA);

·      Significant relevant post qualification accountancy/audit experience including management accounting and/or financial accounting, financial services, fund management or the regulatory environment;

·      A high degree of analytical, conceptual and problem-solving skills in financial and business management;

·      Demonstrated a strong track record in the exercise of sound professional judgement;

·      Demonstrated a track record of showing personal initiative;

·      The capacity to operate effectively and credibly at senior levels, both within the organisation and externally;

·      Managing and supervising a team including performance management;

·      Excellent process management and organisational skills;

·      Flexibility and be results-focussed with the ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines with attention to detail;

·      Strong Project Management skills;

·      Well-developed IT skills including a familiarity with SAGE and Integrated Financial Management Systems, and good experience using Microsoft Excel and Word;

·      A good understanding of public sector accounting and financial management systems or the ability to quickly acquire such understanding;

·      The capability of operating effectively on their own initiative and/or as part of a team;

·      Excellent communication skills including influencing, persuading and problem solving;

·      The capacity to complete work thoroughly and to a high standard.

In addition to the above, candidates must also be able to demonstrate the Key Competencies identified for effective performance in this role, listed below.

Desirable:

·      Experience in managing the automation of manual tasks and procedures in a financial environment.

·      Experience of carrying out financial audits in private or public sector organisations;

·      Experience of processing/auditing or carrying out verification checks on EU funds in public bodies;

·      Experience evaluating financial and general systems and procedures and reviewing financial statements against supporting documentation;

·      Experience preparing audit reports and audit files;

·      Experience preparing financial and non-financial reports on a monthly basis and reporting to senior management;

·      Experience of effective Corporate Governance processes.

Competencies

Candidates must be able to demonstrate clearly at interview that they possess the full range of competencies as set out in below.

Leadership

·      Actively contributes to the developmentof the strategies and policies of the Legal Aid Board

·      Brings a focus and drive to building and sustaining high levels of performance, addressing any performance issues as they arise

·      Leads and maximises the contribution of the team as a whole

·      Considers the effectiveness of outcomes in terms wider than own immediate area

·      Clearly defines objectives/ goals & delegates effectively, encouraging ownership and responsibility for tasks

·      Develops capability of others through feedback, coaching & creating opportunities for skills development

·      Identifies and takes opportunities to exploit new and innovative service delivery channels

Judgement, Analysis & Decision Making

·      Researches issues thoroughly, consulting appropriately to gather all information needed on an issue

·      Understands complex issues quickly, accurately absorbing and evaluating data (including numerical data)

·      Integrates diverse strands of information, identifying inter-relationships and linkages

·      Uses judgement to makes clear, timely and well-grounded decisions on important issues

·      Considers the wider implications, agendas and sensitivities within decisions and the impact on a range of stakeholders

·      Takes a firm position on issues they consider important

Management & Delivery of Results

·      Takes responsibility for challenging tasks and delivers on time and to a high standard

·      Plans and prioritises work in terms of importance, timescales and other resource constraints, re-prioritising in light of changing circumstances

·      Ensures quality and efficient customer service is central to the work of the unit

·      Looks critically at issues to see how things can be done better

·      Is open to new ideas initiatives and creative solutions to problems

·      Ensures controls and performance measures are in place to deliver efficient and high value services

·      Effectively manages multiple projects

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

·      Presents information in a confident, logical and convincing manner, verbally and in writing

·      Encourages open and constructive discussions around work issues

·      Promotes teamwork within the section, but also works effectively on projects across the Legal Aid Board

·      Maintains poise and control when working to influence others

·      Instils a strong focus on Customer Service in their area

·      Develops and maintains a network of contacts to facilitate problem solving or information sharing

·      Engages effectively with a range of stakeholders, including members of the public, Public Service Colleagues and the political system

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

·      Has a clear understanding of the role’s objectives and targets of self and the team and how they fit into the work of the unit and the Legal Aid Board

·      Has a breadth and depth of knowledge of Department and Governmental issues and is sensitive to wider political and organisational priorities

·      Is considered an expert by stakeholders in own field/ area

·      Is focused on self-development, seeking feedback and opportunities for growth to help carry out the specific requirements of the role

Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values

·      Is self-motivated and shows a desire to continuously perform at a high level

·      Is personally honest and trustworthy and can be relied upon

·      Ensures the citizen is at the heart of all services provided

·      Through leading by example, fosters the highest standards of ethics and integrity

·       

Principal Conditions of Service

General

The appointment is subject to the Civil Service Regulations Acts 1956 to 2005, the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and any other Act for the time being in force relating to the Civil Service.

Pay

Professional Grade I Accountant PPC Salary Scale – from 1st February 2026

This rate will apply where the appointee is newly recruited to the Civil Service and is making a personal pension contribution.

€86,644

€89,366

€92,094

€94,813

€97,533

€100,768

€104,449

€108,135

Entry will be at the minimum of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Different terms and conditions may apply if you are currently a serving civil or public servant.

Subject to satisfactory performance increments may be payable in line with current Government Policy.

Successful candidates will agree that any overpayment of salary, allowances, or expenses will be repaid by you in accordance with Circular 07/2018: Recovery of Salary, Allowances, and Expenses Overpayments made to Staff Members/Former Staff Members/Pensioners.

Tenure and Probation

The appointment is to a permanent position on a probationary contract in the Civil Service.

The probationary contract will be for a period of one year from the date specified on the contract.

Notwithstanding this paragraph and the paragraph immediately following below, this will not preclude an extension of the probationary contract in appropriate circumstances.

During the period of your temporary probationary contract, your performance will be subject to review by your supervisor(s) to determine whether you –

(i)               Have performed in a satisfactory manner,

(ii)              Have been satisfactory in general conduct, and

(iii)             Are suitable from the point of view of health with particular regard to sick leave.

Prior to the completion of the probationary contract a decision will be made as to whether or not you will be retained pursuant to Section 5A(2) Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 – 2005. This decision will be based on your performance assessed against the criteria set out in (i) to (iii) above. The detail of the probationary process will be explained to you by the Department/Office and you will be given a copy of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s guidelines on probation.

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs in this section, the probationary contract may be terminated at any time prior to the expiry of the term of the contract by either side in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 2005.

In certain circumstances your contract may be extended, and your probation period suspended. The

extension must be agreed by both parties.

·      The probationary period stands suspended when an employee is absent due to Maternity or Adoptive Leave;

·      In relation to an employee absent on Parental Leave or Carers Leave, the employee may require probation to be suspended if the absence is not considered to be consistent with the continuation of the probation;

·      Probation may be suspended in cases such as absence due to a non-recurring illness

The employee may, in these circumstances, make an application to the employer for an extension to the contract period.

All appointees will serve a one-year probationary period. If an appointee who fails to satisfy the conditions of probation has been a serving civil servant immediately prior to their appointment from this competition, the issue of reversion will normally arise. In the event of reversion, an officer will return to a vacancy in their former grade in their former Department.

Duties

Appointees will be required to perform any duties which may be assigned to them from time to time as appropriate.

Outside Employment

The successful candidates may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties or conflict in any way with the position of Accountant Grade I.

Headquarters

The successful candidate will be assigned to the Board’s head office located currently at Quay Street, Cahirciveen, Co Kerry or in the Board’s Dublin office currently located at Eight Building, Dublin 8, D08 T2TX

When absent from home and headquarters on official duty the Accountant Grade I will be paid appropriate travelling expenses and subsistence allowances, subject to normal civil service regulations. The successful candidate will be required to make periodic visits to Board management offices as required.

Hours of attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 41 hours and 15 minutes gross or 35 hours net per week. The successful candidate will be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of their duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations. The rate of remuneration payable covers any extra attendance liability that may arise from time to time.

Annual Leave

The annual leave for this position is 30 days. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the civil service, is based on a five-day week and is exclusive of the usual public holidays.

Sick Leave

Pay during properly certified sick absence, provided there is no evidence of permanent disability for service, will apply on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the provisions of the sick leave circulars for the civil and public service.

Officers who will be paying Class A rate of PRSI will be required to sign a mandate authorising the Department of Social Protection to pay any benefits due under the Social Welfare Acts direct to the Legal Aid Board. Payment during illness will be subject to the officer making the necessary claims for social insurance benefit to the Department of Social Protection within the required time limits.