Job description
Staff Officer Accountant
Location: Newforge Lane
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
Salary: £41,272
About the Role
AFBI is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Staff Officer Accountant to join the Finance Branch at Newforge. Reporting directly to a Deputy Principal, the successful candidate will play a key role in delivering high-quality financial services, providing expert advice, and supporting sound financial management across the organisation.
This is a varied and influential role requiring strong technical accounting expertise, excellent stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to support strategic decision-making within a public sector environment.
Financial Services & Expert Advice
1. Provide accurate, timely, and high-quality financial information to senior management and key stakeholders.
2. Prepare regular financial reports and contribute to financial forecasts and costing of research and business development opportunities.
3. Advise budget holders on budgeting, in-year monitoring, and financial management.
4. Promote the safeguarding of public funds, ensuring probity, regularity, and value for money.
5. Maintain and develop internal control systems, governance frameworks, policies, and procedures.
6. Assist in the development and implementation of financial systems to support effective financial management and reporting.
7. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of public expenditure planning, monitoring, and accountability frameworks.
8. Support the preparation of annual accounts and liaise with internal and external auditors.
9. Manage the resources of the post holder's section.
10. Uphold high standards of accountability, integrity, and professional financial advice.
Staff Management
11. Lead, manage, and motivate staff to ensure high performance and continuous service improvement.
12. Manage staff performance, attendance, and development in line with organisational policies.
This list is not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the grade, as assigned by management.
Essential Criteria
Applicants must have:
13. Successfully passed final professional examinations and be a full current member of one of the following recognised professional accounting bodies:Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS)Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA Ireland)
Applications may also be considered from candidates with qualifications deemed by the selection panel to be of an equivalent or higher standard.
Experience
14. At least one year's relevant practical experience, gained within the last five years, in one or more of the following areas:Financial planning and budgetingFinancial management or management accountingFinancial accounting or auditingDevelopment and/or implementation of financial systemsStrategic planning and decision support within a finance or regulatory environment
Why Join AFBI?
15. Permanent public sector role
16. Hybrid working arrangement
17. Opportunity to contribute to impactful research and public service delivery
18. Supportive professional environment with scope for development