Financial Accountant (Payables & Financial Support)

We would like to invite applications for the following 39 hours, Specified Purpose contract (Covering Employee’s Leave) role – 12 Months:

Financial Accountant (Payables & Financial Support) - Clontarf

IWA is committed to promoting, maintaining, and adding to our diverse and inclusive work environment.

Reports to: Interim Head of Payroll and Expenditure

Direct Reports: 2 Accounts Payable Team Members

Overall Purpose of Job

The Senior Accountant will play a key role within the Finance team, with primary responsibility for leading the Accounts Payable function, maintaining robust financial controls, and providing high-quality financial support across certain areas of the organisation.

Operating within a large not-for-profit organisation with annual income and expenditure of approximately €80 million, this is a broad and hands-on role requiring a qualified accountant with significant post-qualification experience, strong technical accounting skills, and the ability to build effective relationships across the organisation. The successful candidate will be capable of hitting the ground running in a fast-paced and complex environment, taking a proactive approach to process improvement, ownership of key financial accounting activities, while driving continuous improvement in financial, controls and reporting.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Accounts Payable Leadership:

Lead and manage the end-to-end Accounts Payable function, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant processing of supplier invoices, expense claims and payment runs.

Maintain strong supplier relationships and resolve escalated issues in a professional and timely manner.

Ensure appropriate financial controls, authorisation procedures and segregation of duties are maintained.

Drive continuous improvement and automation initiatives within the procure-to-pay process.

Ensure compliance with organisational policies, governance requirements, and audit standards.

Support and mentor team members.

Financial Accounting, Control and Reporting:

Support month-end and year-end close processes, including preparation of journals, accruals, prepayments, and reconciliations.

Maintain accurate accounting records and ensure the integrity of the general ledger.

Perform regular balance sheet reconciliations and reviews to ensure financial accuracy.

Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts, including variance analysis and commentary.

Provide financial analysis and insights to support operational and strategic decision-making.

Support the development and enhancement of financial controls, policies, and procedures.

Assist with preparation for internal and external audits by preparing audit schedules, supporting documentation and responses to audit queries.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

Support the annual budgeting and forecasting process.

Work closely with budget holders to prepare budgets, forecasts, and financial projections.

Monitor financial performance against budget and provide meaningful analysis of variances.

Assist managers in understanding financial performance and identifying opportunities for improvement and cost control.

Business Partnering and Financial Support:

Act as a key finance contact for assigned departments and stakeholders.

Assist budget holders with financial planning, monitoring, and forecasting.

Prepare and analyse financial reports to support effective decision-making.

Support cost control initiatives and promote financial awareness across the organisation.

Process Improvement and Projects:

Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, controls and reporting within finance and payables processes.

Support finance transformation initiatives, including systems enhancements and process automation.

Review and document financial procedures to ensure consistency, compliance, and best practice.

VAT Compliance:

Manage VAT compliance activities and statutory filings.

Prepare and review VAT returns, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.

Ensure appropriate controls and documentation are maintained to support VAT compliance.

Funding and Funder Reporting:

Develop and maintain positive relationships with funders, grant providers, and key external stakeholders.

Prepare accurate financial returns, grant claims, and reports in accordance with funding agreements and reporting requirements.

Monitor expenditure against grant-funded budgets and ensure compliance with funding conditions.

Maintain appropriate records and audit trails to support funder reporting and audit requirements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Training, Experience and Qualifications

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).

Significant relevant post-qualification experience in financial and/or management accounting.

Experience managing an Accounts Payable function and associated financial controls.

Proven people management experience with the ability to lead, motivate and develop staff.

Experience working within a large and complex organisation, experience in the charity, not-for-profit, healthcare, or public sector would be preferable but not essential.

Proven experience preparing management accounts, budgets, and forecasts.

Experience developing and improving financial processes, controls, and governance frameworks.

Experience working with funders and grant providers, including preparation of financial returns and compliance reports, is desirable but not essential.

Excellent IT skills, including integrated financial systems, Microsoft Office and advanced Excel.

Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality outcomes to challenging deadlines.

Strong knowledge of VAT compliance and VAT return preparation.

Competencies:

Strong technical accounting knowledge and attention to detail.

Excellent organisational, planning and time-management skills.

Strong leadership and people management capabilities.

Proven ability to build effective working relationships across the organisation.

Strong understanding of financial controls, governance, and risk management.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Ability to communicate financial information clearly and effectively to non-finance audiences.

Strong IT skills, including finance systems and advanced Excel.

Personal Attributes:

High level of integrity and accountability.

Collaborative, adaptable and solution-focused mindset.

Strong commitment to accuracy, quality, and continuous improvement.

Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take ownership of responsibilities.

Committed to supporting the mission, values, and objectives of the organisation.

Remuneration & Benefits:

Salary (CO6) ranges from €54,334 to €66,892, dependent on experience (DOE).

Excellent working conditions.

Training and development opportunities.

25 days of annual leave.

Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.

Group HSF Health Plan.

Employee Assistance Programme.

Employee discount for IWA Gym, Clontarf.

Bike to Work Scheme.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 29th July 2026.

Please note - ACADEMIC AND/OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: - Documentary evidence of your relevant qualification(s) will be required in advance of or during the recruitment process.

INDHP