Accountant in Belfast

Duration: Permanent

Reports to: Head of Finance

Responsible to: Director of Corporate Services and Governance

Location: Omagh or Enniskillen; the successful applicant will be required to work across the Fermanagh & Omagh District Council area.

Hours of work: 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday); work during the evening and weekends may be required.

Salary: PO 2, SCP 31-34; £41,771 - £45,091 per annum

A reserve list may be created from which similar permanent, fixed-term and temporary posts may be filled within Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.

Main Purpose of Job

To provide professional financial support, advice, and guidance, to support decision making across Council services, in compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations and strategies. To support the Head of Finance and lead/manage in defined service areas, including treasury and capital activities, estimates process and rate setting process, and management and financial accounting, and to ensure effective communication around financial and associated matters. To work as part of a team and support the Finance Department in the delivery of a range of modern, efficient, effective, and responsive financial services for the Council, including system and process development and the implementation of technology.

Main Responsibilities

• Support the production of the Annual Statement of Accounts, Cash Flow forecasts and other financial returns and analysis as required by government, the Council, the Chief Executive, budget holders or auditors, with particular emphasis on compliance with the relevant sections of the Local Government Finance Act and the relevant CIPFA codes.
• Support the production of the Annual Estimates and the Medium-Term Financial Plan, including capital plans and forecasts.
• Ensure that plans, indicators, strategies and policies are monitored and reported regularly to the relevant Committees to ensure the robustness of Estimates and Adequacy of Reserves.
• Implement all Financial and Procurement policies and procedures and keep up to date with changes in relevant legislation affecting the Council, and make recommendations to amend financial practice, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with legislation and best practice financial management.
• Provide financial support to services for the preparation of Economic/Options Appraisals and Business Cases to support decision making and investment plans that will demonstrate affordable, prudent, and sustainable plans.
• Co-ordinate the Council's investments, borrowings, financial liabilities, cash flows and its banking in line with the Council's Treasury Management Strategy and Plan and other guidance; effectively control the risks associated with those activities, pursue optimum performance consistent with those risks, and administer all banking correspondence and account amendments.
• Provide financial support and advice to a nominated area Directorate, act as the main conduit with the Finance Department, maintain effective working relationships with Director, Senior and Operational Managers, and provide advice and assistance on ad-hoc issues.
• Provide management support in the implementation of financial policies and procedures and ensure the consistent application and implementation of same, including liaising with Directors and others to provide financial information and reports for the purposes of management control and internal audit.
• Ensure appropriate financial systems, procedures and records are in place in the nominated service areas and are maintained to support audit and reporting requirements in accordance with good accounting practice.
• Assist in the accurate recording of Fixed Assets, including asset valuation and physical verification, to enable accurate preparation of capital accounting schedules and notes for the Annual Statement of Accounts and to ensure Inventory procedures are being implemented by relevant services.
• Ensure the procurement processes within nominated service areas are in line with the Council's Procurement Policy and processes and provide support to the central procurement function by providing direct advice and guidance on procurement within the directorate.
• Oversee the preparation of all financial elements of funding applications, claims, statistical analysis, and other reports/statements and assist with financial management of projects undertaken by the Directorate.
• Examine the effectiveness of internal financial control throughout the Directorate and make recommendations for improving effectiveness, and develop systems to ensure the successful implementation of internal audit and external recommendations within the Directorate.
• Support the implementation of new technology and identify and implement new, more efficient financial working practices within the Directorate taking account of technology and relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise with, and provide reports and analysis to, Local Government Audit, European, other statutory auditors, and external funders.

General

• Comply fully with all Health and Safety at Work legislation in accordance with the Council's Health and Safety at Work policy and all associated procedures and guidance.
• Comply with all the Council's policies and procedures including the Employee Code of Conduct and the Employee and Councillor Working Relationship Protocol.
• Comply with employee responsibility in relation to all records held, created, or used as part of the Council's business. All records, paper or electronic, are public records and accessible by the public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, and the Data Protection Act 1998.
• Work on own initiative, deal with and resolve issues using personal and professional judgement and imagination, and judge when to seek guidance.
• Undertake the duties of the post at all times in a manner that enhances and promotes the positive image of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
• Keep up to date with learning and development opportunities to ensure adequately equipped with the necessary skills and abilities to effectively undertake their roles within the Council.
• The postholder will be expected to be flexible and adaptable to meet the changing needs and requirements of the organisation.
• The above list should not be seen as an exhaustive list of duties and the postholder will be expected to undertake other relevant duties, as required.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Successful completion of the professional examinations of one of the following: The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, England, Wales or Scotland. The Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
• At least one year's relevant and suitable experience to include evidence of competence in each of the following: Financial accounting/planning/budgeting. Treasury management. Economic/options appraisals and post project appraisals.
• Ability to provide advice and support in the implementation of best practice Financial Management and Reporting.
• Access to a form of transport to meet the needs of the post.

Desirable Criteria:

• Additional qualifications and/or relevant experience. The criteria may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting.

Behavioural Competencies

The Council's Competency Framework sets out the behaviours that have been identified for effective performance in this role and these are correlated to the Council's Values framework. Competencies will be assessed and monitored throughout the selection process.

Hours of Work

The normal working week will be 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday). The postholder may be required to work additional hours on occasions.

Salary

PO 2, SCP 31-34; £41,771 - £45,091 per annum. The postholder will be paid monthly into their bank/building society account.

Employment of People with Convictions

The Council's policy on Employment of People with Convictions and a Code of Practice is available to all applicants to download under "related documents". A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council complies fully with AccessNI's Code of Practice regarding the correct handling, use, storage, retention and disposal of Disclosure Applications and Disclosure information.

General

A relevant test, assessment or presentation may be required as part of the selection process. The appointment will be subject to:

• Satisfactory references from two referees, one of which should be from the present or previous employer.
• The terms and conditions of employment of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.
• A satisfactory standard of attendance, conduct and performance in carrying out the duties of the post.
• The terms of the Northern Ireland Local Government Pension Scheme.
• The production of evidence of educational and/or professional qualifications as listed on the Application Form.
• The satisfactory completion of a probationary period of six months with an interim period of three months.
• A medical report by the Council's Medical Examiner which confirms fitness for employment in the position.
• Receipt of a satisfactory Access NI Disclosure.
• A reserve list may be created from this recruitment exercise, from which future appointments may be made.

Applying Online and Recruitment Correspondence

Fermanagh and Omagh Council encourages applicants to apply online via. This system requires applicants to have access to an email account for correspondence in respect of the progress of the recruitment process, such as interview invitations. Applicants are reminded to regularly check their email during the recruitment process, including the junk folder, in case correspondence is automatically redirected there. Applicants should be aware that the Council is unable to amend any arranged recruitment process in the event of correspondence being sent to a junk mailbox or unread emails. Similarly, this applies to postal mail. If personal details change during the recruitment process, please email with the amendment(s), as this could impact the application if progressed to the later stages of the selection process.

Applications must be completed not later than 12.00 Noon on Tuesday 26 May 2026.