Accounting Technician

Venesky-Brown’s client, a public sector organisation in Lisburn, is currently looking to recruit an Accounting Technician for an initial 6-month contract with potential to extend on a rate of c.£17.65p/h (PAYE). This role will be based on site

Responsibilities:

To assist the Finance offices with the timely and accurate production of financial reports, information and reconciliations, through the provision of high-quality administrative and technical support. To contribute as an integral member of the Finance team to the provision of modern, professional and responsive Financial Services to support.

To support the Management Accountant in the provision of an efficient and effective Management Accounts.

To support the Management Accountant to formulate financial forecasts and plans to enable service delivery.

To support the Management Accountant the development and provision of the annual revenue and capital budgets and subsequent production of budgetary and outturn forecasts and issue of periodic reports.

To support the Management Accountant in the completion of monthly management accounts and monitoring returns for the Board, Corporate Management Team and the sponsoring body.

To work with the Finance Business Partners to produce monthly variance analysis reports which review actual financial performance against budget to ensure that a robust challenge function is applied to directorates. This includes monthly management accounts packs for Senior Management and the Board and returns to the sponsoring body.

To support the Management Accountant in the preparation of financial returns to the Department of Health, for example, Monitoring Round returns, Scenario Planning exercises, Capital plans and returns, etc.

To support the Management Accountant in the identification of costs and savings in relation to resourcing within their area; monitor and review performance against targets set and ensure that action is taken to address any shortfalls.

To support the Management Accountant in the production of the statutory annual accounts, including the provision of information and carrying out various end-of-year tasks.

To support the Management Accountant in maintaining the Management Accounting systems and ensure compliance with month-end / year-end routines in accordance with strict accounting deadlines. This includes posting journals and maintaining accurate records to support these.

To support the Management Accountant in maintaining the Finance system, including management of system access and maintenance of general ledger structures.

To assist as required in the preparation of monthly internal reports and departmental returns, and also year-end statutory accounts, and to ensure compliance with legislation, financial instructions, and scheme of delegation, policies, procedures and best practice.

To operate within the control framework in place within the department.

To maintain financial records, ensuring accuracy and completeness and to prepare journals for the finance system.

To provide ad-hoc financial management information as required, including the extraction and calculation of figures and the creation of documents using software packages such as MS Excel or Access.

To assist with non-current asset reconciliations, including matching of payments and liaising with relevant stakeholders for outstanding documentation.

To carry out a suite of month-end finance reconciliations, ensuring robust financial controls.

To participate in Treasury Management functions, including review of cash balances, the drawdown of funds and processing of online payments.

To assist in the continual development of financial processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

To provide administrative support to the Finance Directorate, ensuring good record-keeping and accurate data capture. Governance, Data & Information Assurance

Develop and maintain a sound knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, Terms and Conditions, policies, Scheme of Delegated Authority, procedures and processes applicable to the organisation.

Advise relevant stakeholders, as required, on applicable legislation, policies and processes.

Responsibility for the delivery of a high level of professional customer service when handling sensitive personal and commercial data and ensuring that the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are met.

Maintaining the records management framework of relevant records, including electronic and manual retention and disposal in line with GDPR and Record Retention Policies.

Provide accurate and timely financial information for external release, as requested under Freedom of Information, Assembly Questions by legal representatives and Statutory Bodies, e.g. payment of legal fees.

Act as a liaison for internal and external audit, ensuring the accurate and timely provision of accounts information as requested.

Provide accurate and timely financial information as requested by other Departments for review and quality assurance, e.g. Management, Financial Accountants, and HR.

Recording and reporting of fraud or potential fraud in line with policy to ensure compliance with National Fraud Initiative Systems and Service Improvement

Assist in the management of finance computer systems and ensure that they are functioning correctly and where necessary identify issues, log faults and consult with the relevant line manager, system provider and IT.

Assist with maintaining up-to-date Management Information Systems through timely and accurate multi-source data input and capture.

Engage proactively in the organisation’s Service Improvement Programme by assisting with the migration of existing account services into new software systems and processes.

To assist as required in the preparation of appropriate business cases, tenders and quotations, in line with financial and procurement regulations, policies and procedures and corporate timescales.

To provide a high level of internal and external customer service, including taking ownership of customer queries and complaints and following up on issues through to completion.

To ensure continued and effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

To represent the accounting functions as required, ensuring resilience as far as practicable.

To undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the organisation.

To comply with all organisational frameworks, policies and procedures, including but not limited to those relating to legal requirements such as equality, health and safety and information governance.

To direct and signpost managers and officers to the appropriate source for issues outside the remit of this post.

To undertake project work as directed by the Financial and Management Accountants, using the principles of good project management.

To undertake any other duties which may be assigned to meet organisational need and the change agenda, and which are reasonably regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities and grade of the post as defined.

Maintain good relationships with accounts colleagues and also within the wider finance department and other departments

Provide and participate in the training of existing and new staff on all relevant legislation, policies, processes and procedures and the general running of the office.

Essential Skills: