Payroll Finance officer and Business Partner

BACKGROUND The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure that Northern Ireland interests are represented within the UK Government and that UK government responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland. We are the centre of expertise on Northern Ireland issues across Government. The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London.

As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project-based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives. Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department.

This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment. Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and include:
Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, where terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities Ensuring that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public service. Addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland For more information about what we do:
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ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Northern Ireland Office is seeking to recruit a payroll finance officer and business partner. The paybill is a significant part of the NIO discretionary budget and with a number of Arms Length Bodies, and ring-fenced funds ensuring the paybill is correctly charged and managed will form a key part in ensuring the NIO can maximise its budget usage. The role will sit within the Financial Accounting and Reporting team but will also provide support to the Financial Management and Business partnering team, providing a great insight into NIO Finance.

The role will be responsible for posting of all payroll journals to the Account NI accounting system, supporting the cash management team in ensuring sufficient funds are available for outgoing payments, manage staff accruals and lead the holiday leave accrual, complete monthly payroll reconciliations, and prepare invoices for payroll costs that need to be reimbursed. Additionally the role will work closely with HR colleagues providing financial support and costing, will ensure the payroll figures are accurately presented in the monthly finance reporting and will also support key banking and financial services.

The post is based within the Corporate Operations Group in the Northern Ireland Office, a high performing and responsive team that provides high standards of corporate services to support the delivery of the NIOs objectives and deliver Ministerial priorities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Posting of payroll journals to Account NI accounting system as part of the month-end process Funding requests to ensure sufficient balances at bank for outgoing payments on pay-day Process third party payments as advised by payroll provider Calculate staff accruals including retention of supporting audit evidence on a monthly basis Prepare invoices for payroll costs and debtors control Liaise with HR and other teams, including ALBs, providing support on costing data to support workforce planning and payroll forecasting Prepare all necessary expense and balance sheet reconciliations Undertake analytical reviews of monthly payroll costs and challenge movements for line manager review, and presentation in monthly financial reporting.

Support the NIO internal and external audit processes Assist in the completion…