Finance Business Partner

Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery (ICRIR); Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) is seeking a Finance Business Partner to lead key financial workstreams and deliver on critical objectives. Reporting to the Head of Finance and Corporate Reporting, the role is fast-paced and collaborative, emphasizing strong relationships across the Commission and with external auditors.

The successful candidate will bring qualified accounting credentials, solid PQE, and proven expertise in budgeting, forecasting,

Qualifications

• Be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent).
• Have at least two years’ post qualification experience gained within the last ten years in a finance environment.
• Excellent technical skills.
• Extensive financial experience, including journals and accruals, forecasting, budgeting and variance analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and use of complex functions.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including competent use of PowerPoint for creating clear and engaging presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly adapt to new systems, processes, and technologies, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery.
• Excellent communication skills, with strong time‑management and organisational abilities to meet competing deadlines.
• Proven ability to work independently using initiative, as well as collaboratively within a team to achieve shared objectives.
• Demonstrate the values set out in the ICRIR Code of Conduct.
• Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for, and ability to obtain, CTC clearance, if not already cleared.
• Applicants must meet the nationality requirements for this role.

Responsibilities

• Providing high‑quality financial information within agreed timescales.
• Leading effective Finance Business Partnering processes by ensuring regular budget meetings are in place and technical support is being provided to teams across the Commission.
• Assisting with the preparation of monthly management accounts and provided promptly, clearly and in line with the requirements of senior management.
• Managing the budget and forecast against the Commission’s Outline Business Case and monitoring how this evolves, assessing costs, pressures and financial risks.
• Providing advice, guidance and direction on the management of budgets, the in‑year monitoring of expenditure, and the preparation of Estimates.
• Supporting each of the business areas, being the finance contact and offering assistance to enable the teams to monitor and manage their budget.
• Ensuring that specific streams of expenditure, e.g. Estates and ICT, are monitored with appropriate controls and are in line with delivery and value for money.
• Assisting in completion of multi‑year budget exercises, including measuring and identifying savings as required.
• Supporting in year budget requirements and Monitoring Returns.
• Engaging with the external and internal auditors to ensure the audit processes run efficiently.
• Ensuring audit recommendations are implemented on a timely basis.
• Developing and implementing of financial systems and assisting with projects as required.
• Reviewing business cases and investment appraisals for financial affordability.
• Providing financial input for FOIs and other ad hoc exercises.
• Fostering an environment and culture that delivers excellence in all activities.
• Maintaining an up‑to‑date and comprehensive understanding of current public expenditure planning monitoring, control and accountability systems.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships across the Commission.
• Managing relationships with and requirements of stakeholders, including the sponsor department and the external and internal Auditors.
• Deputising for the Head of Finance and Corporate Reporting as required.
• Manage and support staff to deliver high‑quality work, ensuring clear objectives and effective workload prioritisation.
• Lead on staff development through coaching, feedback, and identifying training needs to build team capability.
• Create a positive, collaborative team culture that encourages learning, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Skills

ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CPA

Excel

PowerPoint

Communication

Adaptability

Independent work

Education

Professional accounting qualification

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

About The Role

We are recruiting a Finance Business Partner to be part of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to lead the delivery of important workstreams that deliver on key objectives for the Commission.

The role is a fast‑paced and highly collaborative role, reporting to the Head of Finance and Corporate Reporting, the successful candidate will be a driven, collaborative colleague, with good attention to detail, have experience of working to tight deadlines and will possess the ability and communication skills to build strong working relationships at all levels across the ICRIR and various stakeholders.

Familiarity with the Government finance and the requirements of Managing Public Money would be desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing high‑quality financial information within agreed timescales.
• Leading effective Finance Business Partnering processes by ensuring regular budget meetings are in place and technical support is being provided to teams across the Commission.
• Assisting with the preparation of monthly management accounts and provided promptly, clearly and in line with the requirements of senior management.
• Managing the budget and forecast against the Commission’s Outline Business Case and monitoring how this evolves, assessing costs, pressures and financial risks.
• Providing advice, guidance and direction on the management of budgets, the in‑year monitoring of expenditure, and the preparation of Estimates.
• Supporting each of the business areas, being the finance contact and offering assistance to enable the teams to monitor and manage their budget.
• Ensuring that specific streams of expenditure, e.g. Estates and ICT, are monitored with appropriate controls and are in line with delivery and value for money.
• Assisting in completion of multi‑year budget exercises, including measuring and identifying savings as required.
• Supporting in year budget requirements and Monitoring Returns.
• Engaging with the external and internal auditors to ensure the audit processes run efficiently.
• Ensuring audit recommendations are implemented on a timely basis.
• Developing and implementing of financial systems and assisting with projects as required.
• Reviewing business cases and investment appraisals for financial affordability.
• Providing financial input for FOIs and other ad hoc exercises.
• Fostering an environment and culture that delivers excellence in all activities.
• Maintaining an up‑to‑date and comprehensive understanding of current public expenditure planning monitoring, control and accountability systems.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships across the Commission.
• Managing relationships with and requirements of stakeholders, including the sponsor department and the external and internal Auditors.
• Deputising for the Head of Finance and Corporate Reporting as required.
• Manage and support staff to deliver high‑quality work, ensuring clear objectives and effective workload prioritisation.
• Lead on staff development through coaching, feedback, and identifying training needs to build team capability.
• Create a positive, collaborative team culture that encourages learning, engagement, and continuous improvement.

We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.

We are happy to discuss the role and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us for an informal conversation by emailing us at [e-mail].

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent).
• Have at least two years’ post qualification experience gained within the last ten years in a finance environment.
• Excellent technical skills.
• Extensive financial experience, including journals and accruals, forecasting, budgeting and variance analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, reporting, and use of complex functions.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including competent use of PowerPoint for creating clear and engaging presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly adapt to new systems, processes, and technologies, ensuring efficient and effective service delivery.
• Excellent communication skills, with strong time‑management and organisational abilities to meet competing deadlines.
• Proven ability to work independently using initiative, as well as collaboratively within a team to achieve shared objectives.
• Demonstrate the values set out in the ICRIR Code of Conduct.
• Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for, and ability to obtain, CTC clearance, if not already cleared.
• Applicants must meet the nationality requirements for this role. Details of the nationality requirements can be found in the FAQs below.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in a government department or public sector entity and an understanding of government finance and Managing Public Money.

Band: 4

Salary Range: £59,000 - £70,350

Location: London

This role is based in London. Our main operational base is in Belfast, with an operational site in London. Staff are split across both the London and Belfast Offices; therefore, travel may be required as will regular attendance in the office. You may also work from your home address, in line with the Commission’s approach on hybrid working and with the agreement of your line manager.

Working Pattern: Full time and flexible working.

Contract Type: This role is offered on a permanent contract.

Security Level: Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for, and ability to obtain, CTC clearance, if not already cleared. Please find further information on NSV (National Security Vetting): National security vetting: clearance levels GOV.UK.

Closing Date: 02 November 2026 @ 11.59pm

Interview Date: Anticipated week commencing 16 November 2026

About Us

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is an independent organisation that has been established to recover information about Troubles/Conflict‑related deaths and serious injuries to families, victims, and survivors and to promote reconciliation.

We are building a values‑led organisation. We operate with integrity, impartiality, openness, accountability, and respect, as set out in our Code of Conduct. This is reflected in our fair and open recruitment processes. We encourage people to join us across all backgrounds, communities and faiths to help us deliver.

The Commission is based in Belfast, with further operational sites in Northern Ireland and London. Travel to all locations will be required, but hybrid working arrangements will help us support a range of flexible working patterns. This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation with a unique and vital remit.

The Commission is formed of seven Commissioners, the Chief Commissioner, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Commissioner for Investigations, as well as four Non‑Executive Commissioners to provide challenge and scrutiny to the executive team.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all communities and backgrounds, including under‑represented groups. We value diversity in our workforce as it enhances our ability to serve the communities of Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

ICRIR’s Code of Conduct

• Integrity
• Impartiality
• Openness
• Accountability
• Respect

If you would have any queries or would like to contact us to discuss a reasonable adjustment, please email us at [e-mail] or call us on 02890 362006.