JOB DESCRIPTION – JOB REF – 16/17

JOB TITLE:ACCOUNTANT

POST TYPE:TEMPORARY

DURATION:UP TO 2 YEARS

UNIT:FINANCE

DIVISION:FINANCE

GRADE:STAFF OFFICER (SO)

LINE MANAGER:FINANCE MANAGER

SALARY SCALE:£32,317 - £34,446

LOCATION:BELFAST. However may be expected to travel within Northern Ireland and to the Republic of Ireland to fulfil the requirements of the post.

HOURS OF WORK:Normal working hours are 9am – 5.15pm – Monday to Friday. Due to the nature of some positions, there may be a requirement to work outside normal working hours.

ANNUAL LEAVE:Leave allowance is 25 days p.a. plus 12 Public and Bank Holidays.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Job Holder will assist the Unit Manager in providing a comprehensive Finance and Procurement Service within Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI). Key areas of responsibility will include the preparation of monthly management accounts, monitoring and controlling budgets and funds in excess of ₤20 million and maintaining effective procurement across TNI.

MAIN DUTIES

The Job Holder will be responsible for the following areas and activities:

  • Assist in the budgeting and reporting process across multiple units, including variance analysis.
  • Forecast income and expenditure with budget holders.
  • Forecast Cash requirements.
  • Assist in Financial Monitoring of EU Funding Schemes.
  • Supervise Payroll and Expenses.
  • Provide advice and guidance on the procurement process for TNI, including the review of Business Cases.

Accounting Procedures

  • Assist in reviewing and updating accounting procedures and the implementation of new financial systems.
  • Ensure all accounting procedures are applied correctly.
  • Maintain and control adequate systems for EU Funding Schemes.
  • Train “account users” in relevant procedures.
  • Liaise regularly with the Department for the Economy (DfE)in regard to the Annual Grant, Quarterly Monitoring and Monthly drawdowns.

Reporting

  • Produce accurate and timely monthly management accounts.
  • Assist in the production of monthly Board and Senior Management Team Reports.
  • Assist in the production of the year-end accounts and act as a key point of contact for audit processes.
  • Prepare budgets, management accounts and statutory accounts for any subsidiaries of TNI in accordance with compliance procedures.

Staff Management

  • Support Unit Manager in recruiting, managing, motivating and developing the team to ensure that key activities are undertaken professionally in an efficient and effective manner.
  • Support the Unit Manager to ensure that Unit activities are managed in line with TNI Policies and Procedures and values.
  • Provide Line Management responsibilities for the Finance Team including coaching and learning and development.

Additional Duties

  • Assist in the delivery of project work within the Unit and across TNI including representation at working groups and meetings.
  • Contribute to the development and delivery of the Annual Unit Operating Plan, the achievement of targets and promote corporate values and behaviours within the Team and across the organisation.
  • Provide cover for Management within your Division to include decision making and attending meetings in their absence.
  • Attend training as and when required and keep abreast of current and projected developments in your area of work.
  • Provide briefing material and draft responses and reports/e-mails as and when required by TNI Senior Management Team/Staff, the Department, the Assembly and members of the tourism industry/public within the specified timelines, in an appropriate and professional format.
  • Maintain, store and dispose of unit records in accordance with TNI policy including the use of the EDRM (Electronic Document Record Management) system.
  • Any other relevant duties required by TNI management.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA–EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

  1. A third level qualification in a relevant field and be a fully qualified Accountant.

AND

  1. Membership of a main accounting body (i.e. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CCAB,CIPFA).

AND

  1. A minimum of 2 years’ relevant accountancy experience (to include preparation of statutory accounts).

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA - Personal Effectiveness

The Job Holder will also possess a high standard of:

  1. Excellent communication skills – both oral and written.
  2. Sound negotiation, interpersonal and problem solving skills within a business environment.
  3. Excellent IT/Computer literacy skills including a high level working knowledge of Excel.
  4. Sound organisational and planning skills including the ability to work to strict deadlines, prioritise tasks and attention to detail.
  5. The ability to work within a Team environment, on own Initiative and take the lead where necessary including problem solving.
  6. Customer care and an ability to improve services within a business environment.

PREFERRED CRITERIA

  1. Experience of the Public Sector Procurement processes and guidance.
  2. A minimum of 2 years’ experience managing resources, including staff and budgets within the public and/or private sector.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Applicants must also possess a current driving licence and use of a car for business purposes, or have access to a form of transport which will permit the applicant to meet the requirements of the post in full.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and requirements. The nature of the organisation is such that it must respond to the dynamic environment in which it operates and the nature of duties, tasks, knowledge and skills required for this post will evolve and change in time. The Job Holder is expected to adapt to these changes and develop the role as a result.

TOURISM NI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER