Executive Accountant

Character Each candidate shall be of good character. Health Each candidate must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Training, Experience Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms – ➢ Possess a professional accountancy qualification and be a member of a recognised body of accountants; AND ➢ Have not less than two years satisfactory and relevant post-qualification experience; AND ➢ Possess a high standard of accountancy experience and adequate experience in an office organisation and in the control of staff; AND ➢ Have an excellent working knowledge of integrated Financial Management Systems and Microsoft Office; knowledge of the Agresso FMS would be desirable but not essential. NOTE: A copy of relevant examination results should be included with your application in order to determine your eligibility for this post.

Citizenship: Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be: a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or d) A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa: or e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa

Driving Licence: The holder of the post MUST hold a full driving licence for Class B vehicles free from endorsement/disqualification. When required to do so, holders of office shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

The Role of the Executive Accountant This post is a senior position within the finance team reporting to the Financial Management Accountant, Director of Finance, or other officer, designated by the Chief Executive. The role requires an assertive, creative individual who is able to influence decisions and to manage and positively motivate staff. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic and progressive Local Authority which provides a multiplicity of services to citizens.

The ideal candidate shall: ➢ Have an excellent working knowledge of integrated Financial Management Systems; ➢ A knowledge of Agresso Financial Management System would be beneficial but not essential; ➢ A high degree of analytical, conceptual and problem-solving skills; ➢ An ability to determine priorities and organise workloads in order to achieve tight deadlines with attention to detail; ➢ Experience of managing, motivating and developing staff, including performance management; ➢ Experience in the identification of critical/significant financial issues and briefing management on same; ➢ Strong communication, team and organisational skills; ➢ Ability to effectively manage risk, procurement and resources; ➢ Commitment to self-development and enthusiastic about acquiring new skills; ➢ Possess a knowledge of public sector finance would be beneficial; ➢ Knowledge of taxation and implementation of controls to ensure compliance The successful candidate(s) will be expected to carry out the duties set out below: ➢ Assisting in the management and control of the day-to-day operations of the finance department; ➢ Assisting in the preparation of the Annual Financial Statements and liaise with internal and external auditors; ➢ Assisting in the planning and preparation of Local Authority Budgets; ➢ Develop the accounting skills of staff involved in finance activities throughout the Council and provide financial assistance to all departments; ➢ Promote and assist the implementation of good practice in: Risk Management; Procurement; Value for Money; Shared Services; Efficiency and Effectiveness; ➢ Dissemination of taxation knowledge and monitor and implement internal controls to ensure the local authority is tax compliant; ➢ Monitor and implement / improve internal controls and checks to ensure good financial control, safeguarding of assets of the local authority; ➢ Ensuring the rapid, timely and accurate preparation of financial and management reports through the use of automated systems; ➢ Manage and develop the team of staff in the Finance function to ensure the highest standards of proficiency and work with a variety of non-finance teams ➢ Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time

Particulars of Post The Post The post is permanent whole-time and pensionable. The post holder shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an employee of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of his or her duties as an employee of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of his/her duties as a local authority employee.

Working Hours The working hours at present provide for a five day, thirty-five hour working week, hours may vary from time to time. Carlow County Council operate a Flexi Time Scheme with an earliest start time of 8.00am and a latest start time of 10.00am; an earliest finishing time of 4.00pm and a latest finishing time of 18.00pm with a lunch break consisting of a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 2 hours which must be taken between 12.30pm and 14.30pm. A copy of the Flexi Leave Scheme is available, on request. There may be a requirement to work outside of normal hours, including at weekends, as necessary from time to time for which Time in Lieu on a time for time basis will apply. No additional remuneration/overtime will be paid in respect of such activities. All hours of work will be subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 and the Organisation of Working Time Act (Regulations) 2001.

Probation Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply: (a) there shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such persons shall hold such position on probation, (b) such period shall be twelve months, but the Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend such period, (c) such persons shall cease to hold such position at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory, (d) the period at (a) above may be terminated on giving one week’s notice as per the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, (e) there will be assessments during the probationary period.

Remuneration The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the office shall pay to the local authority any fees or other monies (other than his/her inclusive salary) payable to and received by him/her by virtue of his/her office or in respect of services which he/she is required by or under any enactment to perform. The salary scale for the post of Executive Accountant (analogous to Administrative Officer) (Circular Letter EL 04/2026) is: €61,217, €62,716, 64,464, €66,219, €67,973, €69,541, €71,146, €72,702, €74,253, €76,910 (LSI1) and €79,583 (LSI2) gross per annum. Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL.02/2020, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1st January 2011 will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point. Rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government Policy. Health For the purposes of satisfying the requirement as to health it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. Residence The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance, thereof. Location of post Carlow County Council reserves the right to assign the post holder to any council premises, now or in the future subject to reasonable notice. Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation. The person appointed will be required to provide him/herself at his/her own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.

References Applicants are required to advise the names of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related (at least one of the referees should be an existing or former employer). In advance of any offer of employment, Carlow County Council reserves the right to seek both written and verbal references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The Council reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees.

Vetting Garda vetting is required for certain roles within Carlow County Council. Failure to complete a Garda vetting form on request may prevent your employment with Carlow County Council. In the event of an unsatisfactory Garda declaration being received Carlow County Council reserves the right not to commence employment. In the event of an existing employee changing role as a result of promotion or otherwise to a role that requires Garda Vetting and an unsatisfactory disclosure being returned, Carlow County Council reserves the right to withhold promotion, and also to investigate if further sanction/disciplinary action is warranted on foot of disclosure on a case by case basis. Annual Leave: The current annual leave entitlement is 30 days. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangement for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997 (as amended). Sick Leave: The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail. Training: It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post and to attend all mandatory training.

Health & Safety: The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Carlow County Council’s Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan. It is a condition of employment that the successful candidate will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post. He/She shall familiarise him/herself with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety, clothing and equipment. Failure to comply with the terms of the Safety Statement may result in a disciplinary action.

Use of Modern Technology The successful candidate will be required to use all equipment provided, including computers, hand held terminals, mobile telephone, electronic equipment, video or other monitoring equipment and any other new technology which may be introduced in the future.

Travel When required to do so, holders of the post must hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose, provide and maintain a car to the satisfaction of the local authority. If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Carlow County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy. Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Carlow County Council’s Travel and Subsistence Policy. If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obliged to notify the Council immediately.

Superannuation & Retirement If you are pensionable under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 and are liable to pay Class A PRSI contributions, you would be required in respect of superannuation to make contributions at the rate of 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children) plus 1.5% of full pensionable remuneration. You are required in respect of spouses’ and children’s pension benefit to contribute at the rate of 1.5% of full pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of schemes made under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998. Maximum retirement age is 70. If the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 applies to your employment, 65 is the minimum age at which your pension may be paid. As a new entrant to the public service, under the terms of this legislation you will not be required to retire on grounds of age. Persons who become pensionable officers of a local authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. You may also be required to pay Spouses and Children/ Widows and Orphans contributions at the rate of 1.5% of gross pay. Maximum retirement age is 70. Persons who become pensionable staff of a local authority for the first time on or after 01 January 2013 are assigned to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme with effect from the date of appointment. The scheme is contributory and provides pension, retirement gratuity, death gratuity and survivors benefits. If you are pensionable under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other provisions) Act 2012, you are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution. You are required to pay contributions as follows: 3% of gross remuneration and 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children). The minimum age at which you may retire is allied with the State Contributory Pension age (currently 66 )The maximum retirement age is 70. To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a local authority. You are reminded that under this agreement the Council may refer you to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness for carrying out the duties to which you have been assigned. Further information is available from the Human Resources Department.

Pension Accrual A 40-year limit on total service that can be counted towards pension where a person has been a member of more than one existing public service pension scheme would apply. This 40-year limit, which is provided for in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 came into effect on 28 July 2012. This may have implications for any appointee who has acquired pension rights in a previous public service employment.