Assistant Director - Financial Reporting and Accounting

Assistant Director - Financial Reporting and Accounting

Hours of Work: Full-Time
Location: Greater Belfast
Closing Date/Time: 20/05/2024 3:00pm
Reference Number: HRADFRA1424

Job Background

The Assistant Director Financial Reporting & Accounting will be responsible for leading and managing the provision of financial reporting and accounting within the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The role holder will be responsible for all aspects of financial reporting and accounting services including the preparation of the Annual Report & Accounts, development of the financial control framework, provision of payment services, treasury management, payroll and pension services to support the Chief Constable in his role as Accounting Officer for the Police Grant.

This is a critical and challenging role in a large organisation with an annual budget in excess of £1.2bn.

Hours of Work: Monday – Friday 37 working hours per week (42 hours gross) with a requirement to work outside office hours when necessary.

Salary: £62,294 - £67,955 (under review) plus environmental allowance.

Location: Greater Belfast

Main Activities

The main duties and responsibilities associated with the role include the following:

Financial Reporting and Accounting

• Leading and managing the provision of financial reporting, accounting, payroll and pensions services.
• Delivering the highest standard of financial services.
• Preparing the Annual Report & Accounts for the Police Service, Pension Scheme and other accounts.
• Ensuring completion of PSNI tax returns including VAT & Corporation tax.
• Managing the external audit process and liaising with the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
• Developing the financial control framework, including policies, standards and procedures.
• Managing the development and maintenance of financial systems for accounting, payroll and pension functions.
• Working in partnership with Internal Audit and working to improve systems and controls.
• Maintaining strong links with Financial Services Accountants in support of the financial control and reporting arrangements.
• Applying and disseminating key financial guidance throughout the organisation to comply with government accounting and accountability guidance.
• Ensuring that payments to suppliers, staff and pensioners comply with policies and procedures, including legislative requirements.
• Developing service level agreements and targets for the provision of high quality financial and accounting services to internal users.
• Overseeing the delivery of efficient payment, payroll and pension services, including benchmarking against best practice.
• Liaising with key stakeholders, advisors and regulatory bodies including the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Department of Justice, HMRC, and Government Actuary Department (not an exhaustive list).
• Supporting financial management by providing robust projections for future budget requirements, particularly in the area of pensions and other non-cash costs.
• Providing specialist financial and accounting advice to senior management in support of the Chief Constable as Accounting Officer.
• Keeping up-to-date with the latest developments in financial reporting, tax and pension matters.
• Working to support corporate improvement and efficiency initiatives.
• Representing the Police Service of Northern Ireland on project boards, working groups and committees.

People Management/Development

• Managing and developing approximately 50 members of police staff.
• Managing performance reviews and undertaking all reporting officer and countersigning officer activities within required timescales.
• Identifying, organising and facilitating appropriate financial training for the staff.
• Promoting the development of all finance staff, ensuring that skills are developed as necessary to deliver Finance and Governance Branch priorities and objectives.
• Promoting a culture of openness, transparency, accountability and teamwork in the work of the Branch and proactively sharing best practice information gathered, with colleagues throughout the organisation.

This Job Description reflects the main duties and responsibilities associated with this position. It is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive.

Personal Specification

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must be a fully qualified accountant and be a full, current member of one of the professional bodies detailed below:

• Chartered Accountants Ireland;
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland;
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales;
• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants;
• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants;
• The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy;
• The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland.

Essential Skills and Experience

Have at least two years relevant* post qualification experience** in leading and preparing financial statements within the last five years

AND

Have at least three years relevant* post qualification experience** in a senior finance role:

• Managing a multi-disciplinary team in an environment of change;
• Managing and developing financial systems including ensuring robust financial controls;
• Offering expertise in technical financial and accounting standards, governance and related issues, including report writing and presenting to management boards;
• Managing changing and multiple complex projects simultaneously and being able to work against tight deadlines.

* Relevant experience includes working in the finance function of a large commercial or public sector organisation with in excess of 200 employees and an annual turnover/budget of >£5 million.

** Post qualification experience will be deemed to have commenced from the date on which the applicants are admitted as fully qualified accountants to one of the professional bodies listed above, having fully satisfied all the criteria of membership.

Essential Other

• Applicants must have a valid driving licence and a car available for official business use, or access to a form of personal transport that will enable you to meet the requirements of the post in full.
• IT literate specifically in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (including MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Outlook).

Successful applicants will be retained on a merit list for future opportunities arising.

We would encourage you to check the spam within your email system for any relevant correspondence.

Selection Methodology

PSNI uses the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) which sets out nationally recognised behaviours and values to support all policing professionals. You will be assessed against the values and at the competencies level as indicated below. This will include both past and future focused questions. Further guidance and information about the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) is available here on our website.

Applicants meeting the eligibility criteria and essential qualifications, skills and experience will be required to demonstrate their experience for the following criteria:

Competency and Values Based Presentation and Interview

Values

• Integrity
• Public Service
• Transparency

Competencies – Level 3

• We analyse critically
• We deliver, support and inspire
• We take ownership

For further information and to submit your application, click APPLY NOW.