Deputy Principal Accountant

Posting date:	21 January 2026
Salary:	£27.55 to £28.67 per hour
Additional salary information:	27.55- 28.67
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	19 February 2026
Location:	Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 3SG
Remote working:	Hybrid - work remotely up to 4 days per week
Company:	Hays Specialist Recruitment
Job type:	Temporary
Job reference:	4763269_1768947414

Summary

Location: DOJ, Financial Services Division - Castle Buildings, Stormont, BT4 3SG
Rate: £27.55-£28.67 per hour
Hours: 37 per week | Monday-Friday | Flexible start & finish
Working Pattern: Hybrid - 2 days in office / 3 days from home
Contract: Temporary (12 months+) with potential pathway to permanent NICS competitions
Flexibility: Flexi-time available

About the Role

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced finance professional to join the Safer Communities Directorate as a Deputy Principal Accountant - Finance Business Partner. This role forms a key part of the Directorate's financial management function and requires a highly capable individual who can lead budget management, financial planning, and provide high‑quality advice to senior stakeholders.
You will work closely with Director-level stakeholders, the wider DoJ Finance team, DoF, governance boards, and external partners, contributing to both in‑year and strategic financial planning.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will support the Directorate and its senior leadership through:

Budget Management & Planning

• Leading the in‑year budget management process, including in‑year Monitoring Rounds, ensuring all Ministerial, Senior Management Team, Justice Committee and DoF deadlines are met.
• Supporting delivery of the Spending Review and future budget planning.
• Providing year‑end and budget request information to DoJ accounts and budgeting teams.
• Providing Directorate finance support for ACNI processes.

Financial Reporting & Insight

• Preparing meaningful monthly financial updates for Director(s).
• Monitoring monthly year‑to‑date and forecast spend, including robust variance analysis and constructive challenge.
• Delivering accurate financial information for all departmental financial exercises.

Governance & Advisory Support

• Supplying financial input into briefings for the Minister, Senior Management, and Sponsor Areas.
• Providing governance support including:
• Advice on MPMNI
• Support for business cases
• Attendance at governance meetings
• Engagement with DoF Supply Team on expenditure proposals and financial governance issues

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

Professional Qualification

Full, current membership of one of the following (or an equivalent accountancy qualification):

• Chartered Accountants Ireland
• Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland
• Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales
• CIMA
• ACCA
• CIPFA
• Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland

Experience

• Minimum of two years' post‑qualification experience (within the last five years) in a finance‑related environment.

Skills & CompetenciesThe ideal candidate will have:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior managers and Department of Finance colleagues
• Well‑developed analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Proven ability to work with numerical data, particularly using Microsoft Excel
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict internal and external reporting deadlines

Why Apply?

This role offers:

✅ Competitive pay: £27.55-£28.67 per hour
✅ Hybrid working: 2 office days / 3 home days
✅ Flexi‑time and flexible start/finish times
✅ 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday
✅ A 12‑month+ contract with a supported pathway to future permanent NICS opportunities

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