The Role
The OPW is seeking to fill a post at Accountant Grade II reporting to the Head of Finance, who manages the financial services function within the OPW.
Key Functional Responsibilities
* Preparing and presenting annual budget figures, monthly management accounts, reconciliations, management control checks, variance analysis and other financial and management reports as required.
* Contributing to, preparing, overseeing and quality assuring the Department’s/Organisation’s annual statutory accounts or appropriation accounts and financial management reports in accordance with Public Financial Procedures and Guidelines and in accordance with recognised financial reporting standards.
* Where appropriate, liaising with and seeking sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform or the employing Organisation’s parent Department in respect of accounting matters.
* Providing expert advice across the Department/Organisation on audit and financial management issues, particularly to the Accounting Officer.
* Where applicable, assisting the Accounting Officer in preparing for appearances at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) or such other governance forums.
* Preparing briefing materials which can be technical in nature and written responses to Freedom of Information queries, Parliamentary Questions, etc.
* Dealing with issues arising during Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), internal and EU external audits where applicable. Advising and contributing on a range of shared service and cross Government/ Department/Organisation projects including, for example, a move to Accrual Accounting where this has not already happened.
* Utilising professional accounting knowledge for accounting system implementation, upgrade and enhancement.
* Ensuring proper controls and performance measures are in place to deliver efficient and high value services.
* Ensuring proper reconciliation of all payment instruments and accounts.
* Taking initiative and responsibility for challenging tasks and delivering on time and to a high standard.
* Planning and prioritising work in terms of importance, timescales and other resource constraints and re-prioritising in light of changing circumstances.
* Presenting financial/management accounting information in a confident, logical and convincing manner.
* Encouraging open and constructive discussions around work issues.
* Developing and maintaining a network of contacts to facilitate problem solving and/or information sharing.
* Dealing with ad hoc requests as and when they arise.
Requirements for the Role
Essential
Candidates must have on or before 23rd July 2025:
1. Full membership of a prescribed accountancy body supervised by the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA).
2. A minimum of 3 years’ relevant accountancy/audit experience including management accounting and/or financial accounting, financial services, fund management or the regulatory environment.
3. A comprehensive knowledge of public sector financial reporting standards, such as FRS 102, or Central Government Accounting Standards (CGAS), and their practical application.
4. A knowledge of accrual accounting (CGAS) and cash counting (Public Financial Procedures) or the ability to quickly acquire same.
5. Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment, including a demonstrated ability to work effectively with all other relevant colleagues and stakeholders at all levels across sectoral, organisational, and professional boundaries.
6. The capacity to make sound judgements on technical/financial issues and to recommend the necessary consequential action.
7. Excellent organisation and process management skills with a planned systematic approach to work.
8. The ability to work calmly under pressure, with good attention to detail and experience of dealing with multiple demands and competing priorities to tight deadlines.
9. A track record in the provision of high-quality written reports including a demonstrated ability to summarise financial issues and present information in a logical and comprehensive manner.
10. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
11. An ability to analyse and assimilate large volumes of complex material and quickly identify key issues.
12. An ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
13. IT skills including a familiarity with integrated Financial Management Systems, and relevant Microsoft Excel and Word skills.
14. A commitment to continuous development of skills and professional qualifications.
15. An awareness of the environment within which the civil service operates and a strong commitment to serving the public interest.
It would be desirable for candidates for this position to also have:
* Experience of managing staff and other resources.
* Experience of audits, including maintaining and documenting files in preparation for an audit.
* Experience in the preparation and review of financial statements for small, medium and/or large companies (as defined under the Companies Acts).
* Experience of management accounting and proposing actions based on analysis.
* Experience of carrying out verification checks on public funds including EU funds.
* Experience evaluating financial and general systems with the ability to review financial statements against supporting documentation.
* Experience and understanding of regulatory frameworks, which may include recommended accounting practises such as Charities SORP, and their practical application
Closing date
Your application must be submitted to HRMrecruitment@opw.ie not later than: 3pm, 23rd July 2025
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