Financial Accountant

The role:

The Financial Accountant is a senior position within the Finance Department reporting to the Head of Finance. The successful candidate will be responsible for modernising and managing change in the finance function. They will be responsible for the introduction of new initiatives, policies and procedures and working with multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic and progressive organisation that provides a multiplicity of services to the City and County.

The Finance Department has responsibility for:

·       Financial and management accounting - including the preparation of revenue and capital budgets, and the Annual Financial Statement.

·       Management of long and short-term finances, including Treasury Management.

·       Development and improvement of financial systems.

·       Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.

·       Tax Returns.

·       Tax Compliance.

·       Travel & Subsistence.

·       Accounts Receivable.

·       Fixed Assets.

·       Property & Leasing.

·       Insurance.

·       Procurement.

·       Motor Taxation

·       Financial Governance & Compliance.

·       Financial Reporting.

·       Internal Audit.

·       Public Spending Code.

·       NOAC Performance Indicators.

·       Financial analysis & support to wider organisation

Local Government is placing a greater emphasis on Strategic Management, accountability, performance management and customer service. As a key member of the finance management team you will be required to make a valuable contribution to the strategic management of the finance function. This is an opportunity for an experienced finance professional to fully utilize their professional, technical and management skills in an environment that promotes a high-performance culture.

The duties of the post of the Financial Accountant include, but are not limited to:

·       Preparation of the statutory accounts for Waterford City & County Council;

·       Assisting with the compilation and preparation of the statutory Local Authority Budget;

·       Liaising with internal and external stakeholders including; Auditors, Department of Housing and Local Government, Office of the Revenue Commissioners, National Oversight and Audit Commission, Banks and funding providers;

·       Ensuring that the entities under the Chief Executive’s control adhere to currently accepted accounting standards and relevant codes of practice;

·       Management and control of the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department and its sections;

·       Operation and development of the Council’s accounts receivable/debt management function;

·       Monitoring and implementing/improving 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;

·       Monitoring, interpretation and reporting on monthly management accounts for senior management and their sections;

·       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 modeling;

·       Introduction of reporting structures and systems in line with new requirements of legislation/ circulars / value for money reports;

·       Providing financial advice and assistance to internal departments to support the achievement of the Corporate Objectives and support devolved budgeting structures;

·       Ensuring the adequacy of financial systems in the Council and, in particular, their support by adequate information systems;

·       Implementing changes in existing financial systems as required;

·       Promoting and assisting the implementation of good practice in: Risk Management; Procurement; Value for Money; Shared Services; Efficiency and Effectiveness

·       Managing and developing staff in the Finance function to ensure the highest standards of proficiency and work with a variety of non-Finance teams, and to ensure the training and development of employees;

·       Operation and development of the Council’s Debtor Management & Credit Control functions;

·       Cash flow management, Treasury & Loan reporting and management;

·       To implement the agreed strategies to meet and to expand or improve the range, quantity or quality of existing services and to recommend changes in strategies as required.

·       Develop and maintain the property interest register.

·       Build effective teams, develop motivation and commitment and maintain sound employee relations and morale in accordance with good employment practice and relevant legislation.

·       Participate and take part in duties as required as part of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System to promote and ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees within the team.

·       Participate and take part in the duties as required as part of the organisational response to Climate Action to promote and ensure capacity building, empowering change and delivering action.

·       Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned from time to time.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for the position of Financial Accountant shall be as set out hereunder: -

Qualifications

1.               Character

Candidates shall be of good character.

2.               Health

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

3.               Education, Training, Experience etc.

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

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

(ii) Have satisfactory experience of accountancy work, including management accounting and/or financial accounting, and

(iii)            Be experienced in the management of staff, and

(iv)            Possess knowledge of public sector finance.

The ideal candidate shall have:

• Knowledge of accounting methods, procedures, processes and contemporary management accounting techniques and principles;
• Extensive experience in leading, developing and implementing financial and resource allocation strategies that support Strategic Corporate objectives;
• Experience in the identification of critical financial issues and of briefing senior management and/or Board of same;
• Extensive experience of analysis, conceptual thinking and problem solving in Finance and Business Management;
• Experience of staff supervision and performance management;
• Highly developed relationship management and interpersonal skills and a capacity to promote co-operation, trust and openness amongst staff and customers;
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, including negotiation, report writing and presentation skills;
• Excellent working knowledge of integrated Financial Management Systems, Microsoft Office or equivalent;
• Experience in risk management and procurement.

It is desirable that candidates should also be able to demonstrate:

• Knowledge of the Agresso FMS or other major financial management systems.

good working knowledge of Irish Tax, specifically in the areas of VAT, RCT, & PSWT

• An ability to determine priorities and organise workloads in order to produce quality output within tight timeframes;
• Proven ability to work under pressure and think laterally in dealing with a wide range of issues;

Candidates must also:

• Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned;
• Be suitable on the grounds of character;
• Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned.

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

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, meet the above essential criteria.

Salary scale: €81,777 - €108,074 (LSI2) per annum (EL 02/26). Payment of increments is dependent on satisfactory performance. Entry point of this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. Remuneration is paid fortnightly directly to the employee’s nominated bank account. The current wage pay cycle may be revised during the period of employment. Remuneration is subject to all statutory deductions, e.g. P.A.Y.E. and P.R.S.I. Increments are paid annually subject to satisfactory attendance, conduct and performance and national agreements. Increments may be withheld if performance, attendance and/or conduct are not satisfactory.

The normal working hours are 35 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements apply. All hours worked are subject to and recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997, and the Organisation of Working Time Regulations, 2001. Waterford City & County Council requires employees to record their hours using the CORE/TDS Clocking system.

The annual leave entitlement for the grade is 30 days per annum. The Chief Executive of Waterford City & County Council retains autonomy with regard to office closures, (e.g. Christmas Office Closure); any days arising from such closure will be reserved from the employee’s annual leave entitlement. Proposed office closure days will be reviewed and advised to all employees each year.

Waterford City & County Council reserves the right to assign the successful candidate to any premises in use by the Council, now or in the future. The person appointed will be required to report to their place of work by their own means of transport and at their own expense.

The relevant Superannuation Scheme will apply. The provisions of the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme 1998 may apply.

Persons who become pensionable officers who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority, 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (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 who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required, in respect of their superannuation contribution, to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration. The provisions of the Spouses and Children’s/Widows and Orphans Contributory Pension Scheme will continue to apply.

New entrants will be admitted 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. To qualify for a pension the successful candidate must have served a minimum of two years employment in a Local Authority.

There is no mandatory retirement age for new entrants to the public service as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act2004.

Anyone who is not a new entrant to the public service, as defined in the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, is subject to a compulsory retirement age of 70 years or as determined in accordance with Department Circulars and in line with Government Policy.

The maximum retirement age for new entrants as defined by the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 is 70 years.

The Council may refer staff to a medical advisor at any time to determine fitness to carry out the duties to which they have been assigned.

It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of 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.

The successful candidate shall reside in the district in which his/her duties are to be performed, or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Financial Accountant employed by Waterford City & County Council will be required to use their car on official business. In such situations the employee must hold a current clean driver’s licence and have available adequate means of transport.

It is the responsibility of the employee to arrange the appropriate car insurance for business use and to indemnify Waterford City & County Council with the indemnity specified on the insurance certificate under the heading “Persons or classes of person who are covered”. Documentation to confirm the appropriate insurance cover will be required to be supplied to the Council on an annual basis.

Through the Waterford Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, WCCC has made a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. We also have a responsibility to facilitate the public in reducing their emissions in the way we build and design infrastructure and WCCC is responsible for preparing for extreme weather. In your work you may be asked to contribute to these efforts, by being energy efficient, in using Green Procurement or in considering the impact of Climate Change on the projects you work on.

Employees are to be required to adhere to all current and future Waterford City & County Council codes of practice including Code of Conduct of Employees and all current and future organisational policies including, but not limited to Health and Safety, Communications, Data Protection, Equality, Staff Mobility, Attendance Management and Use of Electronic Equipment. A full list of relevant policies is contained on the council Intranet.

Employees are required to attend and participate fully in training programmes as may be decided by the Council from time to time and to apply their learning in the course of their daily working activities.

Waterford City & County Council shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than one month (subject to notice requirements) and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such other longer period as the Council in its absolute discretion may determine, Waterford City & County Council shall not appoint them.

Financial Account reports directly to the Head of Finance or to any other employee of Waterford City & County Council as the Chief Executive, Director of Services or other appropriate employee may designate for this purpose. A system of regular appraisal (PMDS) will be operated during employment, which will involve discussions between the employee and the line manager regarding performance and conduct.

Waterford City & County Council as an Employer is obliged to ensure, in so far as it is reasonably practicable the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work of all of its employees. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the County Council has a legal duty to exercise all due care and take all protective and preventative measures to protect the Safety, Health and Welfare of its employees. All employees also have a legal obligation under Safety and Health legislation to co-operate with management and not engage in any improper conduct or behaviour or do anything, which would place themselves or others at risk.

Employees must not be under the influence of an intoxicant at the place of work. Employees must comply with all Safety and Health rules and regulations and attend all required Safety and Health Training.