Accountant-Public Sector

Public sector accountants are responsible for making sure that public organisations’ financial management is effective and efficient, and makes the best use of public money. Examples of public organisations include central and local government, the Health Service Executive (HSE), colleges, housing associations and charities.

Public services usually have a fixed budget each year. Public sector accountants safeguard public money and advise departments on how to organise and improve the service they offer. Their responsibilities may include:

preparing budgets and final accounts
controlling expenditure and cash flow
monitoring how money is spent
making sure that legal records of financial transactions are properly kept
developing and managing systems for recording income and expenditure
auditing (verifying) accounts
developing short- and long-term strategies with the management team
advising on corporate risk, including safeguarding assets, risk avoidance and insurance
advising on an investment strategy for management
supporting organisations’ decision making
advising on anti-fraud and anti-corruption strategies and measures
reporting on performance.

Accountants may work in the finance or internal audit function of an organisation. Alternatively, they may work for an accountancy firm that offers professional accounting services to public bodies. These services involve meeting clients, advising them on their accounting procedures, and helping them to make the most of their resources. Accountants may specialise in a particular area, for example audit, taxation or financial control.

Accountants may also work as external auditors, for the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General for example, monitoring public sector financial activities.

Hours and environment

The normal working week is 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Work beyond these hours may be required on occasions, especially during peak times, such as the end of the financial year, or to meet deadlines. Many organisations have flexible working hours. Part-time work and job sharing may be possible.

Public sector accountants work in an office, often at a computer, and usually as part of a larger team. Smart dress is usually required. Accountants may spend some time out of the office visiting clients and attending meetings. Some may have to travel long distances and spend time away from home. They may work abroad if their organisation has international links.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

Salaries for trainees may be around €25,000 a year.
Qualified accountants may earn up to €50,000 a year.
Those in senior positions may earn up to €120,000 a year.

Skills and personal qualities

A public sector accountant should:

be good with figures
have good computer skills
have excellent communication skills, both spoken and written
be able to work under pressure and to deadlines
have integrity
have good research, analytical and problem-solving skills
be able to build trust and handle confidential information with discretion
work well as part of a team
be comfortable taking responsibility for their decisions.

Interests

It is important to:

have a strong interest in finance
enjoy solving problems
like working with people.

Getting in

Public sector accountants are employed throughout Ireland, mainly in large towns and cities. Their number has increased in recent years and is likely to continue to grow.

Employers include:

local government bodies
the Civil Service
the HSE
the National Oversight Audit Commission and the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
schools and colleges
housing associations
police authorities
non-profit making charities and trusts
accountancy firms that offer professional accounting services to public sector organisations.

Jobs are advertised in local and national newspapers, and on the internet. The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland website also publishes lists of trainee vacancies.

Entry routes

Most accountants are graduates who have gone on to complete professional qualifications. However, there are alternative entry routes for individuals after completing their Leaving Certificate.The Higher National Certificate in business, administration and finance may be relevant.

A degree in any subject is acceptable but subjects such as maths, accountancy, business studies, economics and finance or other numerate disciplines are especially useful.

Some accountancy degrees provide an exemption from the initial stages of the professional exams. Some areas of accountancy, for instance forensic accounting, may have specific requirements, such as a degree in computing, risk management or law.

To be an accountant without first taking a degree usually requires individuals to study for the Association of Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) . Many universities will offer exemptions from parts of their accountancy degree to candidates who have ATI qualifications. ATI qualifications can eventually lead to chartered accountant status. Foundation degrees are also available.