Executive Accountant

QUALIFICATIONS

1. CHARACTER

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. HEALTH

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

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority. On taking up employment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

3. EDUCATION, TRAINING, EXPERIENCE ETC.

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

(a) Possess a professional accountancy qualification and be a member of a recognised body of accountants.

(b) Have not less than two years satisfactory experience of accountancy work, including management accounting and/or financial accounting.

(c) Be experienced in the management of staff.

It is desirable that each candidate have:

Experience in the identification of critical/significant financial issues and briefing management of same.

Experience working in Irish taxation including but not limited to employment tax, RCT, PWST, VAT, BIK.

PARTICULARS OF THE POSITION1. THE OFFICE

The office is permanent, whole-time and pensionable.

2. SALARY

Salary Scale:

€61,217; €62,716; €64,464; €66,219; €67,973; €69,541; €71,146; €72,702; €74,253 max pt; €76,910 (1LSI); €79,583 (2LSI). (June 2026 rate)

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL 02/2011, 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.

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders of the office shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of their office or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

3. SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTION

Persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation, to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 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 dependent or qualified children).

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.

All persons who become pensionable officers of a Local Authority will be required, in respect of the Spouses and Children’s Contributory Pension Scheme, to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

RETIREMENTNew Entrants Recruited to the Public Service on or after 1 January 2013

Pensionable public servants (new joiners) recruited to the Public Service for the first time on or after 1 January 2013 (the commencement date of the Single Scheme) will be members of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

Pension Age

Minimum pension age is linked to the State Pension age which is currently 66 but may be subject to change.

Compulsory Retirement Age

Scheme members must retire at the age of 70.

In all other cases, staff recruited on or after 1 January 2013 who were employed in the Public Service on 31 December 2012 or within a period prior to 31 December 2012 not exceeding 26 weeks will retain their existing pension scheme terms and conditions.

In certain circumstances, e.g. where the public servant was on secondment or approved leave or remains on the same contract of employment, the 26-week rule does not apply.

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER)

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER), as set out in Department Finance Circular 12/09, that retirees under that Scheme are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position.

4. HOURS OF WORK

All new entrants to the Local Authority sector and any individuals on new appointments or promotion will work 35 hours per week.

5. PROBATION

When a person is not already a permanent officer of a Local Authority within the Public Service in Ireland and is appointed to a permanent office, the following provisions shall apply:

a. There shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such person shall hold office on probation.

b. Such period shall be one year.

c. Such person shall cease to hold such office at the end of the period of probation unless, during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such person in such office is satisfactory.

6. ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave entitlement for the position of Executive Accountant is 30 days per annum in accordance with Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Circular LG(P) 07/2011.

7. DUTIES

The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the Council.

The duties of the post are to give to the local authority and to:

(a) The local authorities or bodies for which the Chief Executive is Chief Executive; and

(b) Any other local authority or body with which an agreement has been made by the local authority or by any of the authorities or bodies referred to in sub-paragraph (a) under the general direction and control of the Chief Executive or of such officers as the Chief Executive may from time to time determine,

such appropriate computing, technical, management, administrative, executive, supervisory, advisory and ancillary services as may be required by any local authority or body hereinbefore mentioned in the exercise and performance of any of its powers, functions and duties and to exercise such powers, functions and duties as may be delegated to them by the Chief Executive from time to time, including the duty of servicing all committees that may be established by any such local authority or body.

The holder of the post will, if required, act for an officer of a higher level.

The duties of the post include the following:

• Responsibility for the management of a number of sections within the assigned Department and responsibility for the day-to-day operations of these sections.
• Planning, scheduling and preparing the Annual Financial Statement.
• Ensuring that the County Council adheres to currently accepted accounting standards and relevant codes of practice.
• Dissemination of accounting skills to staff involved in financial activities throughout the Council and provide financial advice and assistance to all departments.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors. Provide information to Auditors during the course of Audits as required.
• Planning, scheduling and preparation of statutory Local Authority Budgets.
• Preparation of monthly revenue and capital financial reports, monitoring and review of same, identification of variances and recommendations for corrective actions if required.
• Ensuring that the County Council adheres to requirements of the Finance Acts.
• Dissemination of taxation knowledge and monitor and implement internal controls to ensure tax compliance.
• Monitor and implement/improve 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.
• Implementing changes in existing financial systems as required.
• Manage and develop the team of staff in the Finance Function to ensure the highest standards of proficiency.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of the organisation and work with a variety of non-finance teams.
• Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

These duties are indicative rather than exhaustive and are carried out under general guidance.

8. LOCATION & RESIDENCE

Holders of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council reserves the right to assign employees to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future, subject to reasonable notice.

9. 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 has permission to work in Ireland without restriction (e.g. Stamp 4 or Stamp 1G); or

e. A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA, UK or Swiss citizen and has a Stamp 4 permission; or

f. A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or a family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification, with a Stamp 4 permission; or

g. A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent Irish citizen child and has been granted residence permission (typically Stamp 4); or

h. A non-EEA citizen who holds, or is eligible to obtain, a valid Irish employment permit (e.g. Critical Skills Employment Permit or General Employment Permit).