Professional and Technical, Senior Management
The Role
The Executive Accountant role is a senior role based within the Finance Department of Westmeath County Council and will be reporting directly to the Financial Accountant. The role will entail engagement with all areas within the Finance Department as well as the wider organisation and external stakeholders and with specific emphasis on taxation matters in order to ensure compliance with the organisation’s taxation obligations
Key Duties:
The duties and responsibilities of the Executive Accountant involve but are not limited to the following:
* Assisting in the planning, scheduling and preparing the Annual Financial Statement
* Ensuring that the Council adheres to currently accepted accounting standards and relevant codes of practice Dissemination of taxation knowledge and monitor and implement internal controls to ensure the local authority is tax compliant
* Develop the accounting skills of staff involved in financial activities throughout the Council and provide financial advice and assistant to all departments
* Liaise with internal and external auditors. Provide information to Auditors during the course of their audits as required.
* Assisting in the planning, compilation and preparation of Local Authority Budgets
* Assist in the management and control of the day-to-day operations of the finance department
* Assist in the preparation of monthly / quarterly revenue and capital financial reports, monitoring and review of same, identification of variances and recommendations for corrective actions if required
* Assist in the 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 modelling
* Assist in the introduction of reporting structures and systems in line with new requirements of legislation, circulars, value for money reports etc.
* Provide financial advice and assistance to all departments to support the achievement of the corporate objectives and support devolved budgeting structures.
* Promote and assist the implementation of good practice in: Risk Management; Procurement; Value For Money; Shared Services; Efficiency and Effectiveness
* Monitor and implement / improve internal controls and checks to ensure good financial control, safeguarding of assets of the local authority.
* Ensuring the rapid, timely and accurate preparation of financial and management reports through the use of automated systems
* Manage and develop the team of staff in the Finance function to ensure the highest standards of proficiency and work with a variety of non-finance teams
* Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time
The Role
The Executive Accountant role is a senior role based within the Finance Department of Westmeath County Council and will be reporting directly to the Financial Accountant. The role will entail engagement with all areas within the Finance Department as well as the wider organisation and external stakeholders and with specific emphasis on taxation matters in order to ensure compliance with the organisation’s taxation obligations
Key Duties:
The duties and responsibilities of the Executive Accountant involve but are not limited to the following:
* Assisting in the planning, scheduling and preparing the Annual Financial Statement
* Ensuring that the Council adheres to currently accepted accounting standards and relevant codes of practice Dissemination of taxation knowledge and monitor and implement internal controls to ensure the local authority is tax compliant
* Develop the accounting skills of staff involved in financial activities throughout the Council and provide financial advice and assistant to all departments
* Liaise with internal and external auditors. Provide information to Auditors during the course of their audits as required.
* Assisting in the planning, compilation and preparation of Local Authority Budgets
* Assist in the management and control of the day-to-day operations of the finance department
* Assist in the preparation of monthly / quarterly revenue and capital financial reports, monitoring and review of same, identification of variances and recommendations for corrective actions if required
* Assist in the 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 modelling
* Assist in the introduction of reporting structures and systems in line with new requirements of legislation, circulars, value for money reports etc.
* Provide financial advice and assistance to all departments to support the achievement of the corporate objectives and support devolved budgeting structures.
* Promote and assist the implementation of good practice in: Risk Management; Procurement; Value For Money; Shared Services; Efficiency and Effectiveness
* Monitor and implement / improve internal controls and checks to ensure good financial control, safeguarding of assets of the local authority.
* Ensuring the rapid, timely and accurate preparation of financial and management reports through the use of automated systems
* Manage and develop the team of staff in the Finance function to ensure the highest standards of proficiency and work with a variety of non-finance teams
* Other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time
Westmeath County Council may require you at its discretion to undertake other duties from time to time in consultation with your supervisor. It is understood that you will perform to the best of your ability all the duties of this position and any other additional or substitute duties which may reasonably be required of you, and you will at all times comply with all reasonable instructions and use your best endeavours to promote the interests of Westmeath County Council.
Desirable Skills:
* Have extensive experience of accountancy work, including management accounting and/or financial accounting.
* Possess a knowledge of taxation obligations and public sector finance.
* Be experienced in the management of staff.
* Possess a working knowledge of Agresso Financial Management Systems.
Qualifications for the Post
1. Character
Candidates shall be of good character.
2. Health
Candidates must be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
For the purpose of satisfying the requirement as to health, it will be necessary for each successful candidate, before he/she is appointed, to undergo at his/her expense, a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the Local Authority.
2. Education, Experience, and Training .
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms: -
(a) Possess a professional accountancy qualification and be a member of a recognised body of accountants, and
(b) Have not less than two years satisfactory experience of accountancy work, including management accounting and / or financial accounting.
(c) Be experienced in the management of staff.
(d) Have an excellent working knowledge of integrated Financial Management Systems and Microsoft Office; knowledge of the Agresso FMS would be desirable but not essential
The Ideal Candidate shall have:
* Highly developed oral and written communication skills, including negotiation, report writing, and presentation skills.
* A high degree of analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills.
* Highly developed relationship management and interpersonal skills and a capacity to promote co-operation, trust, and openness amongst staff and customers.
* 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.
* Ability to effectively manage risk, procurement, and resources.
* Ability to effectively manage a team of employees, including undertaking performance management processes.
* Extensive experience in leading, developing and implementing financial and resource allocation strategies.
* Knowledge of accounting methods, procedures, processes and contemporary management accounting techniques and principles.
* Experience in the identification of critical / significant financial issues and briefing management of same
* Excellent working knowledge of integrated financial management systems, Microsoft software, and other relevant software packages
4. Citizenship
Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:
3. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
4. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
5. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
6. A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or
7. A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or
8. A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.
Westmeath County Council
Aras an Chontae
Mullingar
Co. Westmeath
N91 FH4N
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