Finance Executive

Job Title: Finance Executive

Grade: Higher Executive Officer

Post Type: Permanent Full-Time

Location: Cork; however, there will be a requirement to travel from time to time.

Remuneration: €56,607 to €68,840 per annum

Job Purpose

The Finance Executive shall provide comprehensive support in the provision of accurate and timely financial and accounting reports and other information as required. They will manage Safefood’s payroll processing and undertake other corporate administration duties as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Day-to-day operational support to the Finance Manager and Corporate Operations Manager.
• Accounts preparation on computer-based accounting systems to trial balance level including month-end reporting and bank reconciliation.
• Preparation of financial statements, cash-flow statements and financial reports.
• Maintaining and controlling fixed asset register and depreciation schedule.
• Reconciliation of bank accounts, petty cash and credit card accounts.
• Preparation of statutory returns in Ireland and Northern Ireland including VAT and PAYE.
• Assisting in the preparation of budgets and analysing budget performance.
• Managing paper and electronic records in line withSafefood’s Record of Processing Activities – recording, storing, retrieval, destruction.
• Liaison as necessary with government departments, Joint Secretariat of the North South Ministerial Council and other public sector agencies in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• Management of payroll procedures alongside the HR Executive.

This list is not exhaustive and you may be required to take on other tasks and duties for the proper and effective performance of your role. Your role will change as the needs of the business change and you will be required to adapt to these changes and to develop your role going forward.

 

Safefood is committed to equality of opportunity.

 

Person Specification Essential criteria – education, qualifications & experience 

·     Qualified Accountant: ACCA, ACA, CIMA, or other

or

·     Working towards a relevant qualification and otherwise qualified by extensive relevant experience.

·     A minimum of five years’ relevant experience in a finance role.

·     Demonstrable experience of preparation of accounts to TB stage including necessary journals / adjustments within the Irish statutory and regulatory framework

·     Demonstrable experience of Payroll processing

·     Excellent report writing skills and ability to make financial issues understood by non-finance professionals

·     Highly proficient in IT workplace tools; including financial software, Excel, MS Teams, SharePoint, Outlook 

 

Essential criteria - required competencies Team Leadership

·       Works with the team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives and addressing and performance issues if they arise

·       Provides clear information and advice as to what is required of the team

·       Strives to develop and implement new ways of working effectively to meet objectives

·       Is flexible and willing to adapt, positively contributing to the implementation of change

Judgement, Analysis and Decision Making

• Gathers and analyses information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise weighing up a range of critical factors
• Takes account of any broader issues, agendas, sensitivities and related implications when making decisions
• Uses previous knowledge and experience in order to guide decisions
• Puts forward solutions to address problems

Management and Delivery of Results

• Takes responsibility and is accountable for the delivery of agreed objectives
• Successfully manages a range of different projects and work activities at the same time
• Structures and organises their own and others work effectively
• Is logical and pragmatic in approach, delivering the best possible results with the resources available
• Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation
• Demonstrates enthusiasm for new developments/changing work practices and strives to implement these changes effectively Applies appropriate systems/ processes to enable quality checking of all activities and outputs
• Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high quality customer service, for internal and external customers

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Builds and maintains contact with colleagues and other stakeholders to assist in performing role
• Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management
• Projects conviction, gaining buy-in by outlining relevant information and selling the benefits
• Treats others with diplomacy, tact, courtesy and respect, even in challenging circumstances
• Presents information clearly, concisely and confidently when speaking and in writing
• Collaborates and supports colleagues to achieve organisational goals

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development

• Has a clear understanding of the roles, objectives and targets of self and team and how they fit into the work of the unit and Department/ Organisation and effectively communicates this to others
• Has high levels of expertise and broad Public Sector knowledge relevant to his/her area of work
• Focuses on self-development, striving to improve performance

Drive & Commitment to Public Service Values

• Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives
• Demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging circumstances and high demands
• Is personally trustworthy and can be relied upon

Upholds high standards of honesty, ethics and integrity

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in the public sector or in another highly regulated sector.
• Evidence of experience of working in a cross-border or all-island context.

Additional Information

Safefood is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion throughout its work. Safefood is required to comply with Equality and Human Rights legislation in both Ireland and Northern Ireland with equality objectives and commitments mainstreamed into its main strategic and operational business plans. It is fully committed to fulfilling these obligations through a proactive approach to equality and human rights issues in all aspects of its work and by providing a working environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, victimisation or harassment.

Safefood’s Disability Action Plan 2026–2030 outlines measures to ensure that equality of opportunity is achieved, with regular monitoring and reporting on progress towards delivering on these commitments submitted to the Equality Commission (NI).

Regular training in equality, diversity and inclusion is provided to all staff to encourage awareness of disability and equality issues and Safefood actively encourages people with disabilities to apply for roles in the organisation.

Safefood is committed to meeting our environmental and sustainability obligations to combat climate change by driving down our energy and carbon impacts. We have implemented several initiatives across our offices as part of our Climate Action Plan to recycle, reduce waste, and minimise paper usage. Additionally, by embracing hybrid working arrangements and technology, we have reduced the environmental footprint of our office spaces and lessened the need for many of our employees to commute and travel. We will continue to explore other opportunities that will support our efforts to meet our future commitments to combat climate change.