Assistant Finance Officer

Salary: Senior Staff Officer salary scale €57,897 - €70,733 (based on rates effective 01/02/2026)

Hours of Work: The appointee will be required to work 35 hours per week together with such additional hours as required for the proper discharge of their duties.

Information about Department/Function

The SETU Finance Department is currently engaged in a transformation to enable it to meet the demands of a growing University and is building a unified Finance Department across all Campuses. These roles will support the Senior Accountants across all areas of the Finance Department.

Overview of Role & Context

SETU is seeking two Assistant Finance Officers to join our Team in building a University for the region. We are seeking ambitious, energetic and enthusiastic professionals who want to be part of this exciting opportunity. These are key roles within the Finance Department. The roles will provide a professional and comprehensive role in the delivery of the objectives of the department across the wide range of activities within the Finance Department.

The post-holders will be expected to work closely with the finance team and a wide variety of stakeholders across the University. We are seeking individuals who possess strong reporting and analysis skills, strong interpersonal skills and organisational abilities.

Key Responsibilities / Duties:

Key responsibilities and duties will extend across the range of activities of the Finance Department which can include:

• To ensure the integrity, accuracy and timeliness of all reporting data, internal and external, financial and management. To contribute to the development and maintenance of data integrity and internal reporting systems to facilitate management overview of the operations across all activities however funded.

• To assist in the control and authorisation of all functional operations across the department to include payroll, debtors, banking, supplier payments and purchases and maintain all necessary records.

• To contribute to the development and enhancement of University’s overall financial control environment focusing on internal controls. To monitor and report on internal controls compliance on an ongoing and timely basis.

• To support the preparation of the Financial Statements of the University and all its subsidiaries, working with the Finance team to ensure delivered within the set timescales and to the highest standard.

• Liaising with internal and external auditors and the implementation of Audit Recommendations.

• To support the preparation and finalisation of the annual University budget across all areas of activity as required.

• To support the monitoring and reporting of performance against budgets to internal University management and senior management, including variance analysis and query resolution.

• To support the preparation of financial and other submissions as may be required from time to time by the University, Higher Education Authority, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Funding Bodies, Auditors and other appropriate bodies/organisations.

• Engage with the preparation and review of the financial aspects of Funded Project applications and subsequent internal and external reporting requirements. Financial administration of relevant projects including review of eligibility and approval of appropriate financial transactions.

• To support the supervision of staff, as required, in the Finance Department and participate in and support staff development and training programmes.

• To undertake such other related duties as may be assigned from time to time.

• The duties listed are not exhaustive and may change over time as the role develops.

Academic Qualifications

An appropriate honours degree in a related discipline.

Professional Qualifications

Be a part / full member of a recognised Accountancy Body.

Experience

Significant relevant experience in a similar role including extensive data reporting experience, ability to exploit data reporting capabilities, data analysis, budget monitoring and variance analysis.

Specific Knowledge & Skills

Ability to work collaboratively and supportively with a wide variety of stakeholders, both internal and external.

Ability to deal with highly confidential information in a very discreet manner.