Senior Finance Officer

Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery; Antrim; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is seeking a Senior Finance Officer to deliver financial management and reporting in a fast-paced environment. You will report to the Finance Manager and collaborate across ICRIR and external stakeholders, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance with governance standards.

The role requires experience in budgeting, financial planning, and accounting systems, with a focus on probity and value for money.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified Accounting Technician from ATI/AAT/ACCA CAT eligible.
• Progress toward full professional examinations; student member of a professional body.
• At least two years' practical experience in financial planning, budgeting or related areas.
• Proficient in Excel and MS Office; strong teamwork and self-motivation.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality, timely financial information to stakeholders and senior management.
• Offer expert budgeting guidance and in-year monitoring to budget holders.
• Develop and maintain internal controls and governance frameworks.
• Assist in financial forecasts, costing of opportunities and annual accounts preparation.
• Support procurement processes and management of section resources.
• Promote probity and value for money in public funds.

Skills

Excel proficient

Teamwork

Initiative

Attention to detail

Education

Accounting Technician qualification

Progress toward professional exams

Professional bodies membership planning

Tools

Account NI finance system

MS Office

Job description

About The Role

About the role

Job Title

Senior Finance Officer

Band

2

Salary Range

£37,000 - £44,450 Appointments will normally be made at the minimum of the salary range. However, candidates with exceptional skills, qualifications or experience directly relevant to the role may be considered for a higher starting salary, subject to the Commission's Pay on Appointment Policy and approval processes.

Location

Belfast. Our main operational base is in Belfast, with an operational site in London. Staff are split across both the London and Belfast Offices; therefore, you may be required to travel to London as well as maintain 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 or flexible working arrangements.

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 National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK.

Closing Date

Monday 30 November 2026 11.59pm

Interview Date

Anticipated early December 2026

The role

We are recruiting a Senior Finance Officer to be part of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) to deliver important workstreams that deliver on key objectives for the Commission. The role is a fast-paced and highly collaborative role, reporting to the Finance Manager, 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.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Services and Expert Financial Advice

• Provision of high quality, accurate and timely financial information to a range of stakeholders, including preparation of regular reports to senior management.
• Provision of expert advice and guidance to budget holders on budgeting and the in-year monitoring of budgets.
• Establishing and maintaining close and effective working relationships with colleagues across ICRIR and external stakeholders, as required.
• Assist in the preparation of financial forecasts and costing of research and business development opportunities.
• Provision of advice and guidance to promote the safeguarding of public funds and ensure that such funds are discharged with probity, regularity and best value for money.
• Establishment and maintenance of appropriate systems of internal control and governance frameworks, including the development of relevant policy and procedures.
• Assist in the development and implementation of financial systems and processes to support financial management and reporting processes.
• Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of current public expenditure planning, monitoring, control and accountability systems.
• Assisting in the preparation of annual accounts for ICRIR as required and dealing with auditors.
• Assisting with procurement pipeline and activity.
• Managing the resources of your own section.
• Promote high standards of accountability, integrity and probity and provide professional advice to support decision making.

Staff Management

• Lead, manage and motivate staff to ensure continuous improvement of the services they provide to ICRIR.
• Ensure effective management of staff including absence and performance management.

The above list is not exhaustive but gives a good indication of the main duties of the post. The emphasis on particular duties will vary over time according to business needs.

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

Qualifications:

• Be a fully qualified Accounting Technician from one of the following professional Accountancy bodies (or equivalent):

• Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI);
• Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT);
• ACCA’s Certified Accounting Technician (CAT)

Progress towards gaining full professional examinations and be a student member of one of the professional bodies detailed below:

• Chartered Accountants Ireland
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland.
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
• The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
• The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland.

Experience and Skills

Have at least two year's practical experience, gained within the last ten years, in one or more of the following areas:

• Financial planning and budgeting; OR
• Financial Management / Management Accounting; OR
• Financial Accounting/Auditing; OR
• Development/ Implementation of Financial Systems; OR
• Strategic planning and decision support in a finance or regulatory environment;

AND:

• Proficient in using excel and other Microsoft Office packages.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• High degree of self-motivation and initiative.
• Demonstrate the values set out in the ICRIR code of Conduct
• Willingness and ability to be assessed against the requirements for 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 the Account NI finance system
• Public sector finance experience
• Full professional membership of one of the Accountancy Bodies referred to above

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, 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 underrepresented 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.