COLLEGE FINANCIAL ANALYST Whole-time Specified Purpose Appointment College of Business and Law Applications are invited for the above whole-time appointment covering long term leave. The successful candidate will be based in the College of Business & Law and will report to the Head of College of Business and Law with a functional relationship with the Bursar/Chief Financial Officer. S/he will have responsibility for providing financial support to the Head of College and to Heads of Schools within that College. S/he will work closely within the College in achieving the College financial objectives and will facilitate on-going liaison between the College and the University Finance Office. The College of Business and Law is one of four academic Colleges that make up University College Cork. The College is composed of two Schools, Cork University Business School and the School of Law. It offers programmes at all levels including undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, post experience and executive development. It has a student cohort in excess of 3,600 of which 20% are postgraduate. The School of Law is ranked in the top 100 law schools in the World. Cork University Business School is one of the two largest university business schools in Ireland and as the new business school of University College Cork builds on over 100 years of business education in UCC. It is regarded as a leader in business education in Ireland with several programmes viewed as the best in the country in their particular areas. There is an intense focus on research in the College both within the disciplinary areas and on a cross disciplinary basis. A number of the research centres of the College are internationally recognised as amongst the best in their fields including the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights and the Governance Risk and Compliance Technology Centre. Research Funding has increased very significantly in the last few years. The contribution to the international research agenda is significant and reflected in the output in peer reviewed journals and publications by College staff. The University devolves a large measure of responsibility for strategic planning and delivery, including financial planning, budgeting, monitoring and control of expenditure, to the four Colleges. The Head of College is responsible for the management of the College, and leads the strategic development of the College in line with the University s strategic plan. The Head of College manages the College budget, with the assistance of the College Financial
Analyst, so as to support the objectives of the College regarding teaching and learning, research, and academic and curricular development matters. All aspects of the College s mission depend on close and effective collaboration with central University offices, including the Finance Office, which is led by the Chief Financial Officer/Bursar. Developments within the College The College has engaged in a very significant restructuring process over the past two years which has resulted in the establishment of Cork University Business School and the School of Law. Departments currently within the Cork University Business School include:- Accounting Finance and Information Systems, Economics, Food Business and Development, and Management and Marketing. The Department of Government is presently within the School but its longer term affiliation is currently being considered. Whilst the centres of the School include: Centre for Co-Operatives Studies, Centre for Investment Research (CIR), Centre for Open Research and Practice (CORP), Centre for Policy Studies, Centre for Sustainable Livelihoods, Financial Services Innovation Centre (FSIC), Governance Risk and Compliance Technology Centre (GRCTC), Health Information Systems Research Centre (HIRSC), and Institute for Business Development and Competitiveness. Both schools have now been operating for over a year and an exciting dynamic is emerging in the College as the schools evolve and move from establishment to operation mode. Very significant development is occurring, particularly with Cork University Business School where a recruitment process is currently in train for 10 new professorships, coupled with its ambitious plans for a new building to house the Business School to clearly position it as the largest business school in Ireland. The School of Law continues to consolidate its position within the top 100 Law schools in the world through expansion of its programmes and its international reach. This is particularly true of its research profile given the range of peer reviewed staff output internationally. Internationalisation is a particularly important aspect of the College with continued growth through staff and student exchange, joint programme development and engagement in international research programmes and initiatives. This is matched by continued growth in the network of international partners of the College. Considerable importance is also place in maintaining and expanding the relationship with Professional Bodies and Representative Organisations reflected in the disciplinary areas of the College. The College maintains very strong links with employers nationally and internationally and has well-established placement opportunities available to students of the College which ensures that our graduates not just work ready but world ready. The Head of College has been given responsibility drive the entrepreneurial agenda on behalf of University. This had far reaching consequences not only for the College but for the University community as a whole.
Key responsibilities shall include the following: To provide independent advice on financial matters within the College and to the Head of College as required; To advise the Head of College and Bursar/Chief Financial Officer of any issues relating to the financial performance of the College that would adversely impact on its ability to deliver on strategy and operational plans; To manage revenue and income budgets for identified priority areas for income generation and maximisation of resources, within a balanced budget. To anticipate financial requirements through short term (tactical) and long term (strategic) planning in consultation with the Head of College; To complete an annual audit of student data and to review College performance against budget and the College Strategic Plan; To devise a strategic plan for the improvement of the financial performance of the two Schools in the College that will enable them to achieve their academic objectives in teaching and research and to monitor progress towards the achievement of these plans, highlighting areas of concern and adjusting plans as necessary; To support academic units within the College with the development of new programmes; To assist the Head of College in developing an annual Financial Plan for the College of Business and Law including the identification of savings to deliver an overall balanced budget; To prepare regular reports on the financial performance of the College for the Head of College, University Senior Management and University Finance Office; To oversee the development and implementation of robust College policies, systems and procedures for finance including, financial projections, expenditure control, analysis and management, budget allocation and monitoring, and external and research funding; To prepare the annual College budget in consultation with Finance Office which includes the budget for permanent and fixed term staffing and to allocate the operational budgets to academic units; To provide the interface between the College and the University Finance Office to ensure that College financial systems and procedures comply with the appropriate statutory requirements and conform to University policy;
To coordinate the finance function within the academic units in the College, including the development of financial skills for all staff responsible for financial administration within the College; To ensure that the College Procurement procedures and practices comply with University Procurement policies and that value for money is achieved in all College expenditure; To attend and present information as required at College Committees including College Executive Management Committee, College Council, College Assembly and other College committees; To support relevant projects and activities within the College; To assist the Business School and the Law School to develop financial and business plans for strategic development and growth; To process financial transactions within the College budgets including journal entries, year-end income deferrals and accruals and invoice approvals; To prepare information for the Head of College relating to financial performance and targets for dissemination within the College and externally to University committees including to the Governing Body. Requirements: Selection Criteria Decisions made at shortlisting and interview will be based on the following criteria for appointment: Essential Criteria A recognised accountancy qualification such as ACCA, CPA, ACMA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent; Post qualification experience in a large complex organisation with multiple stakeholders at an appropriate level as relevant to the post; Proven ability to maintain highly complex financial, information sources and databases; Experience of working with modern Financial Management Computer Systems; Experience of working in an atmosphere of trust and discretion and an ability to work as part of an administrative team in an academic context; Excellent IT skills and have experience of working with modern Financial Management Computer Systems; Strong organisational and time management skills to meet objectives within agreed timeframes and achieve quality results; Excellent analytical skills to enable analysis, interpretation of data and data extraction from multiple data sources; The ability to evaluate complex information including academic and curricular matters from a variety of sources and make effective decisions;
Effective problem-solving; Team work skills including the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team environment; Effective communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner. Desirable Criteria Evidence of Lean/Six Sigma expertise and application. Candidates are requested to make a personal assessment of these criteria against their own qualifications, skills and abilities to assess whether they should apply for the post. Please note: Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the criteria as detailed above will not be short-listed. Conditions of Employment: The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process. Conditions of Employment: Salary scale [new entrants] Admin I: 65,000-83,078 (Scale B) / 64,220-79,137 (Scale A). In all instances the successful appointment will be at the first point of the scale. Normal hours of duty are Monday to Thursday inclusive 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Friday, with 60 minutes for lunch daily. Due to the nature and seniority of the post, however, it may be necessary to extend and vary these hours from time to time in order to meet the exigencies of the post. Annual Leave will be 30 days per annum. This leave is exclusive of public holidays and Good Friday. The leave year commences on 1 July annually and four days annual leave must be held for the Christmas closure period. Sick Leave: Sick leave will be granted in line with University policy in this regard which may change from time to time. You should familiarise yourself with the University Sick Leave Policy and University Sick Leave Management Policy. The tenure of the post is specific purpose (to cover the leave of a staff member, anticipated duration of up to twelve months), based on the following provisions: (a) A probationary period of six months shall apply from commencement of employment in the post during which the contract of employment may be terminated by either party in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts, 1973 to 2001. The probationary period may be extended at the discretion of the University.
(b) Except in circumstances of gross misconduct justifying immediate dismissal, the appointee will receive one month's notice of termination of employment, or, if greater, such notice as is provided for in a minimum notice in terms of Employment Act, 1973. (c) The appointee is required to give one month's notice of termination of employment. (d) Under the Public Service Superannuation Act 2004, for all new entrants to the Public Sector on or after April 2004, the normal retirement age is 65. It is no longer possible therefore to retire before age 65. Pension: The appointee will become a member of the Single Public Service Pension scheme, which provides personal retirement benefits as well as benefits for spouses and children. The contribution rate comprises 3% of pensionable remuneration and 3½% of net pensionable remuneration. Tax relief is accrued on these payments. In addition, additional dependants benefits can be provided by membership of the Voluntary Life Assurance Scheme. Membership of the Group Personal Accident Scheme shall apply to all employees, subject to individual acceptance by the Insurance Company. The salary quoted is subject to a deduction from salary at the rate of.06% The UCC Income Continuance Plan (ICP) provides a source of income in the event of long or short-term temporary disability. As part of your contract of employment you will be automatically included in the ICP with effect from the same date provided you have not previously opted out of the plan or you have been declined for cover under previous contracts of employment with UCC. The cost of membership of the plan will be deducted from your salary. The current membership rate is 0.91% of your salary. The Pay Related Social Insurance Class A1 rate of Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) applies to the post. Voluntary Health Insurance: A VHI/Laya/ Aviva Health/ HSA/GloHealth group scheme is in operation and contribution may be deducted from salary, with effect from the Scheme s renewal date (May of each year). Additional benefits: We offer progressive employment and training policies including opportunities for further studies. Staff can avail of membership of a variety of clubs and societies and a wide range of facilities on campus, including a leisure centre.
Certificates and Testimonials: These documents should not be sent with the application. Candidates who are selected for interview will be requested to submit the necessary documentation. Shortlisted candidates for posts shall be required to appear in person before a Board of Assessors in Cork, in which case travelling and subsistence expenses at approved rates will be paid. A successful candidate will be required to submit a birth certificate, documentary evidence confirming academic qualifications, to undergo a medical examination, Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance may also be required. References will be sought in relation to all candidates invited to attend for interview. Please note that if you are considering applying for this post you must be able to supply proof of the right to work in Ireland. If you do not have the right to work in Ireland you would need to obtain a work permit. We are obliged by European law to appoint people who are citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) where possible. Where there is no skills shortage for a particular post, it is highly unlikely that a work permit would be granted. Candidates may be required to produce documentary evidence to support any statements made by them on their application form or any supporting documentation. Note: Candidates should note that any inaccurate information will invalidate their application. Each candidate must complete an application form for the post (available at http://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/policies/forms/application/ ). The completed application form must be returned by email to headbandl@ucc.ie For an informal discussion on the post please contact Professor Ursula Kilkelly, Head of College of Business and Law on headbandl@ucc.ie Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday, 4 th March 2016 CVs and handwritten forms will not be accepted. Late applications will not be accepted. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector