Deputy Principal Accountant
| Posting date: | 02 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £27.55 to £28.67 per hour |
| Additional salary information: | £27.55-28.67 |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 March 2026 |
| Location: | Belfast, County Antrim, BT1 4NN |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 4 days per week |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 4765275_1770052120 |
Summary
Your new company
You will be joining the Department of Finance (DoF), Financial Management Directorate, based in Goodwood House, Belfast. The team operates within NICS HR and works closely with pension colleagues and directorates across the Department. The environment is collaborative, with hybrid working options available.
Your new role
As a Deputy Principal Accountant (DPA), you will support directorates with financial planning, monitoring and reporting.
Key responsibilities include:
- Agreeing annual budget requirements with directorates
- Completing multi‑year budget exercises, including measuring and identifying savings
- Preparing and supporting cost‑model development for charging frameworks
- Monthly monitoring of general administrative expenditure and salary forecasts
- Managing accruals, prepayments and accounting adjustments
- Reviewing monthly management accounts and preparing relevant finance report sections
- Presenting financial information at Senior Management Meetings
- Supporting in‑year budget requirements and Monitoring Returns
- Providing financial information for interim and year‑end resource accounts
- Reviewing Business Cases for financial affordability
- Providing financial input for FOIs, Assembly Questions and other ad‑hoc exercises
The role reports to a senior member of the Pension and HR area team. Office attendance is required on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with flexibility for the option of a four day working week.
What you'll need to succeed
You must:
- Have successfully passed final professional examinations and be a full current member of one of the recognised accountancy bodies, including:
- Chartered Accountants Ireland
- ICAS
- ICAEW
- CIMA
- ACCA
- CIPFA
- CPA Ireland
- Have at least two years' post‑qualification experience gained within the last ten years in a finance‑related environment.
What you'll get in return
- Hybrid working pattern- 2 days offer/ 3 days home
- Flexibility options- flexible time and flexible start/finish times
- 37‑hour working week- opening to
- 37 day annual leave
- A 12‑month+ contract with a supported pathway to future permanent NICS opportunities
- Collaborative team environment
- Exposure to senior stakeholders and departmental decision‑making
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up‑to‑date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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