Temporary Systems Accounting Officer - Belfast

Systems Accounting Officer – Temporary Contract

Main purpose of job

The post holder will report to the Principal Accountant and represent them and Financial Services as required, within the post-holder’s own sphere of responsibility.

To contribute to the planning, development and implementation of council’s corporate financial systems and reporting mechanisms and the review of supporting policies, strategies and procedures.

To contribute to the ongoing development of corporate financial systems and the development of associated feeder systems.

To assist the Principal Accountant in specifying, configuring, testing and implementing new corporate systems for areas within the post-holder’s own sphere of responsibility, with consideration of Local Government Accounting Code of Practice, IFRS financial reporting requirements and Audit recommendations.

To provide training and assistance to end users in the technical operation of the corporate finance system and corporate accounting business processes.

To maintain and report the council’s Fixed Assets Register and capital accounting records.

To manage the day-to-day contractor relationship between Financial Services and the council’s appointed external valuers for annual property valuations exercise and incorporate changes in property asset values into the council’s financial records.

To prepare fixed asset and capital accounting notes to the annual statutory final accounts; and respond to external and internal audit enquiries related to these, and complete any restatements as required.

To assist with the council’s accounting processes for revenue and capital, and the provision of comprehensive, accurate and timely financial management information.

To contribute to the corporate management of the service and council through close working contact with senior officers, project teams and consultative groups as necessary.

To deliver assigned projects, initiatives and activities in accordance with corporate and departmental priorities and deadlines.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties

1.To work in partnership with relevant stakeholders and user groups to investigate and provide business and technical solutions to financial systems issues.

2.To provide frontline assistance end-users about the technical operation of the corporate financial systems and the council’s corporate accounting business processes, including identification and resolution of system errors, report production and ongoing system development, as required within the employee’s sphere of competence.

3.To advise, within in the employee’s sphere of competence, Digital Services technical staff to support the corporate financial system and participate in the resolution of issues raised to external technical support contractors engaged to support the corporate financial system.

4.To contribute to the ongoing development of corporate financial systems and the development of associated feeder systems.

5.To use, understand and integrate data across diverse corporate systems and databases to support system development, corporate management information needs and financial planning to assist in the alignment of resources to council priorities.

6.To keep up to date on developments in financial hardware and software packages with a view to making recommendations on emerging areas that impact upon financial management and reporting.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AVAILBLE

Qualifications and experience

Applicants must have:

·professional body, for example: Association of Chartered Accountants (ACAI); Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA); Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA); Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA); or equivalent, and

·Hold a third level qualification in Information Technology or Computing.

At least two years’ relevant experience in:

·Maintaining and reporting Fixed Assets Register and capital accounting records

·Preparation of fixed asset and capital accounting notes to the annual statutory final accounts;

plus two years’ relevant experience in at least two of the following 5 areas:

·Monitoring of revenue or capital budgets

·Preparation of periodic and annual revenue or capital accounts processing

·Responding to external and internal audit enquiries.

·Implementation or development of a financial management software package;

·Provision of support to operational staff for business-related enquiries about the operation of core financial systems

·Provision of advice and guidance to finance staff and departmental budget holders in finance and systems-related matters.

Special skills and attributes

Applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of each of the following special skills and attributes;

Communication skills: the ability to demonstrate highly effective presentation and communication skills capable of influencing and persuading a wide range of people and organisations, both orally and in writing.

Information technology skills: the ability to operate specialist software packages and understand how computer programmes and new technology generally can increase business efficiency.

Analysis and decision making skills: the ability to analyse and interpret complex issues and exercise critical judgement in arriving at practical solutions.

Knowledge of accounting and resource management: a detailed knowledge of financial control and accounting systems, together with the ability to advise on financial and resource management matters at a senior level.

Technical job skills: the ability to demonstrate an understanding of local authority finance and the requirements of legislation and regulation in that regard.

Team working and leadership skills: the ability to work constructively within a team and to encourage high levels of co-operation between team members offering leadership to motivate others.

Performance management skills: a working knowledge of performance management systems and procedures including performance indicators, benchmarking and quality assurance methodologies.

Corporate knowledge: the ability to work as a corporate team member, seeking to achieve organisation - wide objectives, through participation in and through leading of inter-departmental teams which contribute to the corporate decision making process.

Commitment to change: the ability to demonstrate a personal commitment to change and to lead others through organisational or other major change programmes, securing continued commitment to organisational objectives.

Other Information:

Location: Belfast City Centre

Hours: 37 hours 9.00-5.30pm

Start: 9th April to July 2024

Salary: £23.03 per your plus accrued holiday pay

Closing Date: 4th April at 3.00pm

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send an up-to-date CV via the link provided and once of our consultants will be in touch.

Task Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy. We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.