Temporary Senior Accounting Assistant

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST

1. CHARACTER:

Candidates shall be of good character.

2. HEALTH:

Each candidate must 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, have:

Full membership of a prescribed accountancy body supervised by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA)

Minimum of 2 years relevant supervisory experience of a multi-disciplined finance team

Knowledge and understanding of completing quarterly and annual accounts

Strong analytical and decision-making skills

A good understanding of public sector accounting or the ability to quickly acquire such understanding

Strong knowledge of tax laws and compliance procedures

Experience of managing staff and/or other resources

Excellent communications skills with demonstrated evidence of robust IT literacy (i.e. MS Office skills including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines

Ability to perform in a fast-changing environment

Desirable Requirements:

It is desirable, though not essential, that each candidate shall have:

Knowledge of local government financial procedures including the preparation of the Annual Budget and the Annual Financial Statement

Experience working with non-finance managers in providing guidance, advice and instruction on accounting requirements for their business area

Knowledge or experience of Centros/Integra financial systems

THE PERSON

The person appointed will be able to clearly demonstrate the key competencies as set out in this Booklet. In addition, the successful candidate will:

Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned

Be suitable on the grounds of character

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

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.

The ideal candidate shall:

Be able to work within, and where necessary lead, multi-disciplined finance teams and have the ability to motivate, empower and encourage personnel under his/her control to achieve maximum performance

Be able to proactively and positively work with the Senior Accountants/Head of Finance to inform and deliver corporate financial objectives

Have a satisfactory knowledge of local government, including local government in Ireland

Have a good interest and knowledge of Local Government sectoral developments and understand the impact for the council

Be capable of working in close co-operation with other business areas of the Council and have the ability to engage with relevant Government Departments on financial and tax matters for the Council

Have an ability to work and deliver results within tight deadlines in a changing and fast-moving environment

Have the ability to take initiative and responsibility over their own workload, while working within the goals of the team

Be ambitious and have strong interpersonal and communication skills

DUTIES OF THE POST

The duties of the post shall be to give to the local authority, under the direction and supervision of its appropriate employee, such services of an executive, supervisory and advisory nature as are required for the exercise and performance of any of its powers and duties, and shall include the duty of deputising for other employees of the local authority, when required.

The Senior Accounting Assistant will report to the Head of Finance, Financial Accountant and to the Management Accountant. Their role will include specific responsibility for the development and coordination of revenue/capital budgets, financial management reporting systems, capital accounting control and management, completion of annual financial statement, treasury management, financial controls and governance, and supporting strategic and operational planning.

The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

Preparation of year-end accounts

Preparation of annual budget

Capital Accounting

Cashflow and Treasury Management

Tax Compliance

Financial Planning and Analysis

Management and Reporting of Borrowing Programme

Responsibility for Financial returns at local, national and EU level

Responsibility for the ongoing development of the Financial Management System

Management of staff and associated areas within the Finance Directorate

Liaising with internal and external stakeholders including various Government Departments, Auditors, Financial Institutions, etc.

COMPETENCIES FOR THE POST

Key competencies for the post include the following, and candidates will be expected to demonstrate sufficient evidence within their application form of competence under each of these. Please take particular note of these when completing the application form as any short-listing or interview processes will be based on the information provided by candidates:

Management and Change

Clear understanding of political reality and context of Wexford County Counci

Embeds good governance practices into day-to-day activities, practices and processes

Establishes, develops and maintains positive and productive professional relationships both internally and externally to enhance service delivery

Effectively manages change, fosters a culture of creativity in employees and overcomes resistance to change

Delivering Results

Develops operational and team plans having regard to corporate priorities, operational objectives and available resources

Acts decisively and makes timely, informed and effective decisions, pinpointing critical information and addressing issues logically

Practices and promotes a strong focus on delivering high-quality customer service, for internal and external customers

Proactively identifies areas for improvement and develops practical suggestions for their implementation

Ensures compliance with legislation, regulation and procedures

Performance Through People

Leads by example to motivate staff in the delivery of high-quality outcomes and customer service

Works with the team to facilitate high performance, developing clear and realistic objectives to ensure corporate policies and strategies of Wexford County Council are delivered

Effectively manages performance of individuals and teams to achieve operational plan, targets and objectives

Places high importance on staff development, training and maximising skills and capacity of team

Demonstrates an excellent level of verbal and written communication skills

Acts as an effective link between staff and senior management

Personal Effectiveness

Does more than is required or expected, anticipates situations and acts to preempt problems. Creates new opportunities

Strives to perform at a high level, investing significant energy to achieve agreed objectives

Demonstrates appropriate and positive self-confidence

Operates effectively in an environment with significant complexity and pace

Has high levels of expertise and broad Local Authority knowledge relevant to his/her own area

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

1. Tenure:

The post is whole-time, temporary and pensionable. Persons who become pensionable employees 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 dependant or qualified children).

All persons who become pensionable employees of a Local Authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Childrens Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their 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 dependant or qualified children) in accordance with the terms of the Scheme.

For new entrants under the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from 01/01/2013, superannuation contributions are 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration and 3% of pensionable remuneration.

2. Duration:

The contract is for the specific purpose of maternity leave cover and will be for a minimum of six months. However, candidates from any panel formed as a result of this competition may be considered for a longer contract, should one arise.

3. Probation:

Where a person who is not already a permanent employee of a local authority is appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) There shall be a period after such appointment takes effect during which such person shall hold such employment on probation

(b) Such period shall be six months but the Chief Executive may, at his discretion, extend such period

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

4. Salary:

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. Holders 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 their employment or in respect of services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform. An allowance may also be payable in respect of travel expenses and subsistence.

SALARY: €60,011 - €78,015 (2nd LSI) (1st August 2025)

Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Appointees who are not existing public servants will enter at the minimum point of the scale.

5. Health:

For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for successful candidates, before they are appointed, to undergo, at their own 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 candidates.

6. Retirement/Superannuation:

Single Public Service Pension Scheme:

Effective from 1st January 2013, The Single Public Service Scheme applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. All new entrants to pensionable public service employment on or after 1 January 2013 are, in general, members of the Single Scheme.

Pension Age: Minimum pension age of 66 years (rising to 67 and 68 in line with State Pension age changes). Scheme Members must retire at the age of 70 years.