Accountant (Grade 1)

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has an immediate vacancy for an Accountant Grade 1 on a permanent, full-time basis. 

As a member of an expanding Finance and Governance team, you will be joining the BAI at a very exciting time of ambitious and significant change for media regulation. Within the BAI initially and in the new media regulator Coimisiún na Meán, to be established in 2023, you will lead the Finance Team in developing and implementing Finance strategies, policies and procedures and ensuring high standards of financial governance and reporting.

Reporting to the Director of Governance and Finance you will have a senior management role in overseeing and ensuring the effective operation of the Finance function, initially within the BAI and subsequently in CnaM, when established. As the organisation continues to expand and evolve, it is likely that flexibility in regard to the allocation of specific duties will be necessary. Accordingly, the list of duties specified below is not intended to be exclusive or restrictive and duties may be added or withdrawn.

Key responsibilities for the role will include, but are not limited to the following:

Strategic Financial Management

• Develop and implement best practice policies and procedures to deliver on CnaM’s strategic objectives in respect of its Finance functions. 
• Design and implement procedures and systems to ensure compliance with CnaM’s statutory budgeting, financial compliance, reporting and governance obligations.
• Effectively monitor CnaM’s systems of internal financial control and make changes as appropriate to the financial control environment to improve the effectiveness of such systems.

Financial Oversight and Management

BAI Transition

• Oversee the process for the winding up of the BAI levy. 
• Oversee the implementation of the BAI Finance Dissolution Plan.
• Support and input into the finance related work of any BAI/Department Transition Working Groups. 

Audit and Risk Management

• Oversee and coordinate CnaM’s (initially, BAI’s) internal audit activities, including implementation of recommendations, review and finalisation of audit reports and drafting of management responses. 
• Oversee the management of C&AG external audit process including review and finalisation of key documentation to be provided, finalisation of audit reports, drafting of management responses and implementation of recommendations as required.
• Proactively identify, monitor and effectively manage all financial related risks and provide risk updates and reports to the Chief Risk Officer as required.
• Ensure compliance of CnaM’s financial and reporting procedures with the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016.

Financial Operations 

• Oversee the development, implementation, administration, monitoring and review of a levy system or systems in line with the requirements of the OSMR legislation. 
• Oversee CnaM’s day-to-day operations of the Finance function (including payroll, accounts payable, bank reconciliations, payment of grants, Department and Revenue returns).
• Oversee CnaM's (initially BAI's) day-to-day Treasury management including cashflow projections and investments
• Monitor expenditure carefully against budget and drive a ‘value for money’ ethos within the Finance team and manage finances within the overall budget in accordance with public financial accounting standards.
• Manage the drawdown of Exchequer funding from DTCAGSM, while levy systems are being established, in accordance with the requirements of Circular 13/2014, 
• Ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Finance Management system/s including optimization of functionality for an evolving and growing organisation. 

Financial Budgets and Reporting 

• Oversee the preparation of CnaM’s annual and reforecast budgets.
• Monitor and report on CnaM’s budget systems and deliver financial reporting, financial analysis and KPIs for the Commissioners.
• Analyse and sign off on CnaM’s financial management reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare CnaM’s statutory financial accounts and multi-annual financial projections.
• Prepare narrative reports for presentation to Commissioners and Executive Chair on the above as required.

People Management

• Oversee the management of the Finance team to ensure efficient and effective operation of the function, including identification of training and development requirements as appropriate.
• Role model Performance Management development for staff developing the skills requirements of the team and mentoring and coaching team members to develop their potential.
• Liaise with HR to ensure appropriate financial ICT systems’ and other financial training, as appropriate, is provided to all staff. 

The role will also include such other duties as may be reasonable and be assigned from time to time by the Director of Governance and Finance and/or the Senior Leadership Team

Please click apply now to be redirected to the BAI website to access the competition booklet.