Executive Accountant

This position is a senior position within the organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for the co-ordination, preparation, monitoring, modelling, analysing and reporting on significant revenue and capital expenditure budgets, budgetary control and debtor management. They will assist in the completion of the annual financial statement, operation of the organisations financial management system and support strategic and operational planning. They will also be an integral part of the wider organisational financial discipline and will be working with multidisciplinary teams. It would suit an ambitious, qualified accountant with a range of experience dealing with multidisciplinary teams and with experience in managing and motivating staff. The office is wholetime, permanent and pensionable. A panel will be formed to fill permanent and temporary vacancies.

Duties

Duties will include but are not limited to:

Leading the implementation of the Upgrading of the Financial Management System to the cloud

Implement a new Asset Management System across the organisation

Involvement in the rollout of the procurement module of the Financial Management System

Assisting in the planning, scheduling and preparation of the Annual Financial Statement in accordance with currently accepted accounting standards and relevant codes of practice as set out by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Develop the accounting and finance skills of 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 their audits as required

Assisting in the planning, compilation and preparation of Local Authority revenue and capital budgets.

Assist in the preparation of monthly / quarterly revenue and capital financial reports, monitoring and review of same, identify variances and recommendations for corrective actions if required.

Assist in the 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 modelling.

Assist in the introduction of reporting structures and systems in line with new requirements of legislation, circulars, value for money reports and so on.

Provide financial advice and assistance to all departments to support the achievement of the corporate objectives.

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 make sure that 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.

Making sure of the rapid, timely and accurate preparation of financial and management reports with automated systems.

Manage and develop the team of staff in the Finance function to ensure the highest standards of proficiency.

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.

Post of Executive Accountant (Open Competition)

Louth County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition. Louth County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post, from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This panel will exist for 12 months and may only be extended at the discretion of the Chief Executive.

Essential Criteria

Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

Health

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

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 (ACCA, AIA, CIMA, CIPFA, ICAEW, ICAI, ICAS or ICPAI) and submit a copy of your certificate of registration to recruitment@louthcoco.ie

(*See Note on Page 7)

AND

b) Have not less than two years’ satisfactory and relevant post-qualification experience;

AND

c) Possess a high standard of accountancy experience and adequate experience in an office organisation and in the control of staff.

d) Have an excellent working knowledge of integrated Financial Management Systems and Microsoft Office; A knowledge of Agresso Financial Management System would be beneficial but not essential.

It is desirable that the ideal candidate should:

• 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 in the identification of critical/significant financial issues and briefing management on same;

• Proven ability to work under pressure and think laterally in dealing with a wide range of issues.

• Experience of managing, motivating and developing staff, including performance management;

• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, including negotiation, report writing, and presentation skills.

• Highly developed relationship management and interpersonal skills and a capacity to promote cooperation, trust, and openness amongst staff and customers.

• 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

• Hold a full driving licence, Category “B”, free from endorsement and provide their own motor vehicle for use in carrying out their duties and their motor insurance policy must indemnify the Council.

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, available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Particulars of Post

Salary

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 position of Executive Accountant is: €60,011 - €78,015 (LSI 2) gross per annum. 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.

Location of post

Louth 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.

Superannuation

A. Officers joining the Public Service after the 1st January 2013 will be required to join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. A Class rate of PRSI contribution will apply. A rate of 3% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). This includes a contribution to a Spouse’s and Children’s Scheme.

OR

B. Officers who became pensionable officers of the Public Service prior to 1st January 2013 and who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of the net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the rate of State Pension Contributory (SPC). You will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% of your pensionable remuneration to the Spouses & Children’s Pension Scheme.

OR

C. Officers who become pensionable officers of a Public Service prior to 5th April 1995 and who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required to contribute at a rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. If an option to join a dependent scheme was made you will be required to contribute at a rate of 1.5% to a Dependents Pension Scheme.

Retirement

Retirement is dependent on the superannuation scheme you become a member of and details will be made available to you upon appointment.

Health

For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo at his/her expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority. On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to the candidate.

Probation

Where a person, who is not already a permanent officer of Louth County Council, is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

• There will be a probationary period of 9 months from date of employment,

• The Chief Executive may at his or her discretion extend this period,

• You shall cease to hold office at end of the period of probation unless during this period the Chief Executive has certified that your service is satisfactory.

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.

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, Louth 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.

Hours of work

The working hours at present provide for a five-day, thirty-five hour working week. A flexible working hours system is in operation and may be availed of subject to the terms and conditions of the Flexitime Policy.

Sick Leave

The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.

Annual Leave

Annual leave entitlement for the position will be 30 days per annum. Louth County Council’s leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1977 (as amended).

Start date

The successful candidate will commence on direction from Directors of Service and/or Chief Executive. Should they fail to take up the appointment on direction, the council at its discretion may not appoint them.