Audit & Governance Specialist - Public Sector

Audit & Governance Specialist - Public Sector

Staffline Recruitment Ireland is currently partnering with a Public Sector body to recruit an Audit and Governance Specialist to take up a contract role that will run until December 2021.

This organisation's head office is located in Dublin City Centre but due to the nature of this role, it is possible to work remotely initially and be based in any of this organisation's regional should not be an issue if you are interested!

The role:

The purpose of this role will be to work as part of a team responsible for auditing a range of programmes and grant schemes to ensure that monies are spent for the purposes intended and that key key conditions attached to the programmes, including good governance standards, are complied with. It should be noted that the checks are expected to involve on-site visits to funded organisations, remote (desk-based) assessments or a blended approach. A key requirement of the position is an ability to provide objective and constructive feedback in order to assist organisations in improving record-keeping and governance standards.

Key responsibilities:

• Maintaining a practical, working knowledge of key Government requirements pertaining to the management of grant aid, including Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014
• Examining all records underpinning payments to funded organisations, including periodic claims / reports, and independently verifying the financial and qualitative data reported.
• Evaluating the accounting systems of funded organisations, with a particular emphasis on ensuring a transparent audit trail between expenditure returns submitted and financial records maintained
• Assessing the eligibility and classification of all monies spent by beneficiaries to ensure they comply with the terms and conditions attached to the relevant funds
• Monitoring actual expenditure incurred by beneficiaries against agreed budgets and highlighting any significant variances
• Evaluating performance outputs and value for money issues associated with funded programmes
• Assessing annual financial statements and other returns submitted to the Companies Registration Office
• Checking adherence to key programme rules by reference to contractual agreements, operating manuals, best practice guidance, etc.
• Conducting risk assessments in respect of funded organisations by analysing a diverse range of data, including audit reports, annual financial statements, internal and external information disclosures, etc.
• Identifying and reporting on issues frequently identified in the context of engagements with funded organisations with a specific focus on risk mitigation and/or prevention.
• Maintaining a working knowledge of key legislative and regulatory requirements as they relate to funded organisations, for example, charity law, company law, GDPR and Revenue requirements
• Conducting governance assessments of funded organisations in order to ensure that key policies and procedures comply with best practice standards
• Attending meetings, including internal meetings, meetings with Pobal funded organisations and meeting with Government departments
• Communicating and following up any internal issues arising from engagements with funded organisations, including adjustments to expenditure reports and matters relevant to funding applications
• Establishing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders

Interested applicants will meet the following requirements:

• Professional recognised accounting qualification. Applications from other candidates with good academic backgrounds plus significant relevant experience of auditing grant claims and / or forensic accounting may also be considered
• Previous experience of conducting in-depth financial checks, for example, forensic accounting, collation of data based on incomplete records, etc
• Knowledge of the community/voluntary/public sector is desirable
• Knowledge of EU and government accounting regulations is desirable
• Strong IT skills and a good working knowledge of computerised accounting packages.
• Drivers licence & provision of car for business purposes is essential

If you are interested in being considered for this role and can commit to a 12 month contract, please send a copy of your cv for review to Laura Craughwell at Staffline Recruitment via the enclosed link.

A salary in the region of €48,000 - €55,000 pro rata will be payable.

The closing date for applications is Friday, October 23rd at 5pm.

WTOWSL

To see the full job description please click apply.