Deputy Principal Accountant - Financial Management

Deputy Principal Accountant - Financial Management

Location:

Goodwood House, Belfast

Pay Rate:
Approx. £24.59 per hour

Hours:

37 hours per week

Working Pattern:
Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm

Contract:

Temporary Agency Assignment

Start Date:

5 October 2026

Expected End Date: 31 March 2027

JDR Recruitment is recruiting a Deputy Principal Accountant for a Northern Ireland Civil Service assignment within the Department of Finance.

This is a senior financial accounting role with responsibility for month-end processes, management reporting, statutory accounts, technical accounting advice, cash forecasting and oversight of key financial controls.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading month-end financial accounting processes, including journals, reconciliations and balance-sheet assurance.
• Overseeing Trade Payables, Manual Accruals and Provisions.
• Preparing the monthly management pack and managing the financial reporting timetable.
• Ensuring general ledger codes are appropriately maintained across the wider finance team.
• Providing professional accounting advice on technical accounting matters.
• Reviewing financial information for FOIs, Assembly Questions, audit queries and other financial exercises.
• Supporting the Integr8 finance transformation programme.
• Leading preparation of the Departmental Resource Accounts, including interim accounts.
• Supervising preparation of NISRA Agency Accounts and Whole of Government Accounts information.
• Supporting the development and application of departmental Charging Policy.
• Reviewing charging models and Corporate Services overhead calculations.
• Overseeing cash forecasts, Parliamentary Grant reconciliations and investigation of monthly cash variances.

Applicants must have successfully completed the final professional examinations and be a full current member of a recognised professional accountancy body, including:

• Chartered Accountants Ireland
• ICAS
• ICAEW
• CIMA
• ACCA
• CIPFA
• Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland

Candidates must have at least two years' post-qualification experience gained within the last ten years in a finance-related environment.

• Financial accounting or auditing
• Financial planning and budgeting
• Management accounting and cost analysis
• Treasury management
• Corporate governance and risk management
• Financial systems implementation
• Investment finance
• Forensic accounting or insolvency-related work

Previous experience within the Northern Ireland Civil Service and/or experience using Account NI would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will be subject to the relevant pre-employment checks and Standard security clearance
.

If you are a qualified accountant with strong post-qualification financial accounting experience and are looking for a senior public-sector finance assignment, we would be keen to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.