Financial Management Accountant

The Role:

The Financial Management Accountant is a senior position within the Finance Department of Sligo County Council reporting to the Director of Finance. The successful candidate will be responsible for introduction of new initiatives, policies and procedures and will work with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver financial and tax services within the local authority.

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, the successful candidate 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 utilise their professional, technical and management skills in an environment that promotes a high-performance culture.

The Financial Management Accountant duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Compilation and preparation of the statutory budget and capital programme.

• Preparation of the statutory accounts of Sligo County Council.

• Liaising with internal and external stakeholders including Auditors, Department of Housing and Local Government, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, 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.

• Provision of training where necessary.

• 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 Council is tax compliant.

• Ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of financial and management reports through the use of automated systems.

• Monitoring, interpreting and reporting on monthly management accounts for senior management and their sections.

• Preparation, implementation and ongoing review of the Council’s finance plans including management of capital budget.

• Financial planning and analysis including ad-hoc financial analysis and modelling.

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

• Providing financial advice and assistance to all departments to support the achievement of the Corporate Objectives and support devolved budgeting structures.

• Attendance at Council Meetings when required.

• Delivering presentations to staff or committees of the Council.

• Ensuring the adequacy of the Council’s financial systems and in particular, their support by adequate information systems.

• Promoting and assisting the implementation of good practice in Risk Management, Procurement, Value for Money and other initiatives.

• Implementing changes in existing financial systems as required.

• Managing and developing staff to ensure the highest standards of proficiency and work with a variety of relevant teams.

• Operation and development of the Council’s Debtor Management & Credit Control functions.

• Cash flow management, Treasury & Loan reporting and management.

• Ad hoc reporting to various government departments and revenue commissioners.

• Develop and maintain the property interest register.

• Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for Financial Management Accountant are as set out hereunder:

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, Experience, Etc.

Candidates shall on the latest date for receipt of applications for the office:

(1) possess a professional accountancy qualification and be a member of a recognised body of accountants, and

(2) have satisfactory experience of accountancy work, including management accounting and/or financial accounting, and

(3) be experienced in the management of staff, and

(4) possess a knowledge of public sector finance.

The ideal candidate shall have the following Skills and Experience:

• Excellent working knowledge of integrated Financial Management Systems, Microsoft Office suite and / or equivalent.

• Knowledge of accounting methods, procedures, processes and contemporary management accounting techniques and principles.

• Knowledge of taxation, in particular VAT, PAYE, PSWT, RCT and stamp duty.

• Experience in the identification of critical financial issues and of briefing senior management.

• Extensive experience of analysis, conceptual thinking and problem solving in Finance and Business Management.

• Experience in risk management and procurement.

• An ability to determine priorities and organise workloads in order to produce quality output within a tight timeframe.

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

• Extensive experience in leading, developing and implementing financial and resource allocation strategies that support strategic corporate objectives.

• 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 other stakeholders.

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

It would be desirable if the successful candidate had the following Skills and Experience:

• A working knowledge of Agresso Financial Management Systems.

• Be able to demonstrate the ability to take a strategic perspective.

• Be a highly organised self-starter and natural leader with the ability to manage and motivate a team.

• Demonstrate excellent analytical skills, with the ability to overview situations, review and evaluate, defining plans and setting targets in order to achieve goals.

• Have the ability to manage the delivery of several tasks / projects concurrently.

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.

The Office

The office is whole time, permanent and pensionable.

The holder of the office shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an officer of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of their duties as an officer of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with discharge of their duties as a local authority officer.

Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(i) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation.

(ii) Such period shall be a maximum of 12 months.

(iii) Such persons shall cease to hold the 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.

Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post 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 the post or in respect of any services, which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the position of Financial Management Accountant is:

Salary Scale effective from 1st February 2026:

€81,777 - €82,506 - €85,715 - €88,944 - €92,179 - €95,379 - €98,600 - €102,252 (LSI1) - €108,074 (LSI2)

Salary for the post shall be in accordance with existing practice as set out in relevant circulars. Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. 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.

Residence

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

Start Date

The Local Authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than three months and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the Local Authority shall not appoint them.