Management Accounting Manager at Education Authority Northern Ireland

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

13 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

15 Oct, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Management Accounting, Financial Reporting, Data Analysis, Budget Management, Leadership, Continuous Improvement, Stakeholder Engagement, Financial Planning, Risk Management, Team Management, Training, Policy Development, Communication, Problem Solving, Efficiency Improvement, Compliance

Industry

Education Administration Programs

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Management Accounting Manager (Assistant Principal Officer) SERVICE AREA: Finance Directorate – Budgetary Control and Reporting Division Corporate Reporting & Business Partnering Service, Corporate Reporting Team REPORTS TO: Deputy Functional Lead Financial reporting RESPONSIBLE FOR: The post holder will support the Deputy Functional Lead to provide management accounting services that meet the corporate financial reporting requirements of the organisation. As a key member of this team, the post holder is accountable for ensuring that service delivery is focused on fostering and driving continuous improvement. The Assistant Principal Officer will be expected to provide strong leadership and direction to ensure the significant ongoing change and harmonisation process to create and implement a fit for purpose Management Accounting function. JOB PURPOSE: The overall purpose of the role is to support the Deputy Functional Lead to meet the management accounting requirements of the organisation, in particular the organisation of data from Oracle and reconciliation to the General Ledger. As a key member of this team, the post holder will contribute to ensuring that service delivery is focused on fostering and driving continuous improvement. In acting as an integral member of the Service, the post-holder is required to fully contribute to all Management Accounting issues related to the corporate plan, operational business plan, service development proposals, savings proposals and risk register to ensure that the Directorate operational plans support the overall strategic direction of the Authority and the achievement of its objectives in line with its vision, mission and values. The post-holder will be responsible for managing and leading a team of employees within the service, this may include managing employees across all Authority offices. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Management Accounting Manager has the following Service-Specific Responsibilities: Contribute to the delivery of management accounting activities, including the preparation and delivery of timely, accurate, and insightful monthly management accounts. Work with financial systems to interpret data, analyse results using statistical techniques and provide ongoing reports. Identify, analyse, and interpret trends or patterns in complex data sets. Work with management to prioritize business and information needs. Present financial insights to support management decision making. Work within the Finance Team to help support budget holders to set and monitor their budgets, within the context of the annual and spending review planning cycle and savings delivery plans. Work in close partnership with the Finance Business Partnering teams to provide accurate, timely and comprehensive management accounting information to enable robust forecasting. Develop detailed working knowledge of the range of Directorate activities in order to tailor reports to the organisations need. Provide an effective challenge function in respect of operational practices to drive efficiencies and cost savings wherever possible. Support the Deputy Functional Lead to provide ongoing financial and budgetary support to projects and programmes to monitor monetary costs and benefits. Financial advice and training to staff area to ensure effective budgetary management and control. Identification and management of key strategic risks impacting on the delivery of team, directorate and EA objectives. Support the functional lead in the identification, management and reporting of strategic risks to the organisation’s budget. Leadership To work within the Management Accounting Service to lead and support on service delivery and to support and give guidance across the service. To oversee the operational management of Service delivery. To give direction, training, and development within the Corporate Reporting & Business Partnering team on specific areas to gain a high level of compliance in processes and procedures. Assist the Deputy Functional Lead Management Accounting with design, implementation and periodic evaluation of structures within the Service to ensure that management structures and practices support a culture of effective team working, continuous improvement and innovation. Apply resources effectively and proportionately across the service. To support an annual auditing schedule across the Management Accounting Team. Regularly monitor service delivery against agreed key performance indicators ensuring achievement and improvement where required. Attend working groups and team meetings as required. Policy and Procedure Development Contribute to the review, revision and development of existing and new policies and procedures as the need arises for the service. Contribute to human resources and the Authority’s corporate strategy and plans on matters relating to employee relations. Other Responsibilities Ensure that the EA’s policy on Data Protection (in particular processing sensitive personal information) is properly complied with. Ensure that the EA’s Equal Opportunities Policy, relevant Codes of Employment and Practice and other relevant legislation are adhered to. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times. Participate as required in the selection and appointment of staff in accordance with the policy and procedures as laid down by the Authority. Provide responses to Parliamentary Questions, Assembly Questions, Minister’s cases, FOI requests and other correspondence within set deadlines. Undertake such other relevant duties as may be reasonably expected of the post-holder. Deal with whistleblowing complaints in accordance with the Whistleblowing procedure. The post holder may also be required to work outside normal office hours on occasions. Building Relationships and Working with Others Build and maintain effective, professional, and respectful stakeholder relationships. Develop and maintain clear lines of communication and effective working partnerships with relevant internal and external stakeholders. Training To provide specific training and development to staff and line managers when required e.g. introduction of new processes, new regulations or the revision of existing regulations. Contribute to the development and delivery of relevant initiatives and programmes such as workshops and training and development initiatives for Senior Managers and service wide. This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times. To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here. PERSON SPECIFICATION NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS 1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant. 2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. 3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. 4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. 5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. 6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria. Section 1 - Essential Criteria The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/ Experience Be a fully qualified accountant with current membership of one of the five CCAB bodies (ICAEW, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAS or Chartered Accountants Ireland) (ICAI) or CIMA or equivalent OR Hold a Bachelor’s Degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification AND have a minimum of 3 years’ within last 7 Years relevant experience* OR Have a minimum of 5 years within the last 10 years relevant experience* *Relevant experience is defined as: Experience gained within a Finance environment of successful contribution to at least two of the areas listed below in a complex organisation: a. Finance policy, procedures and processes; b. Financial planning and strategy; c. Budget setting, monitoring and control; d. Provision of advice and support to budget holders. Shortlisting by Application Form Experience Be able to demonstrate an active commitment to continuous personal and professional development. Shortlisting by Application Form Other The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion. Shortlisting by Application Form Section 2 - Essential Criteria The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Skills/ Abilities In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of: Analysis of data and trends to deliver sound and effective monthly financial reporting processes Ability to champion EA strategic priorities, support the delivery of change and drive service improvement. An influential and persuasive communicator who recognises the value of working with stakeholders and can gain commitment across groups to achieve shared objectives. Able to establish credibility and presence in groups across a wide spectrum of people. Excellent leadership and management skills to build a high performing team. Achievement against challenging targets through the engagement of teams and solving problems through informed decision making. Interview Values Orientation Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here. Interview Section 3 - Desirable Criteria Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment Experience Experience in delivering monthly financial reporting and analysis to budget holders. Demonstrable experience in the supervision and motivation of staff to meet challenging targets against strict deadlines. Shortlisting by Application Form Our Values Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential. DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage. Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice. APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Responsibilities

The Management Accounting Manager will support the Deputy Functional Lead in providing management accounting services and ensuring service delivery focuses on continuous improvement. The role includes managing a team and contributing to financial reporting and analysis to support the organization's strategic objectives.