Assistant Accountant

Assistant Accountant

Location: Belfast
Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm) with 30min lunch.
Salary: £19.32 per hour
Contract: Temporary

About the Role:

On behalf of our client, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, MPA Recruitment is seeking to appoint an Assistant Accountant based in Belfast.

The successful candidate will support budgetary control, financial analysis and reporting, helping budget holders monitor expenditure and take appropriate action. You will also contribute to financial reviews, business improvements and the effective management of staff within the Finance section.

This opportunity would suit a finance professional with strong analytical skills, attention to detail and experience managing competing deadlines.

Key Responsibilities:

Budget Monitoring & Financial Analysis

• Support the development of budgetary control processes.
• Assist budget holders with financial reports, variance analysis and recommendations for corrective action.
• Conduct financial reviews of Supporting People provider organisations.
• Validate financial returns and prepare reports for review.

Financial Reporting & Performance

• Provide senior finance staff with performance information, highlighting issues and proposing solutions.
• Assist with regular financial reports in accordance with agreed reporting schedules.
• Support ad hoc financial investigations.
• Represent the Finance section on internal and external committees and working groups as required.

Business Improvement

• Identify and implement improvements to financial processes.
• Support initiatives to improve the performance and efficiency of the Finance section.

Staff Management & Team Support

• Manage unit staff, including training, motivation and performance assessment.
• Deal with disciplinary matters as required.
• Deputise for the relevant Line Manager when necessary.
• Undertake additional duties assigned by the Line Manager.

What We're Looking For:

Essential Criteria:

Applicants must possess one of the following:

• Final examinations of AAT or IATI.

OR

• Foundation papers of a CCAB body, or equivalent.

OR

• A relevant Bachelor's degree where accounting is the major component, or an equivalent qualification.

Essential Experience

Applicants must demonstrate at least two years' experience in at least three of the following areas:

• Budget setting, forecasting, monitoring and reporting of expenditure.
• Financial analysis, including preparing management reports, investigating budget variances and advising on corrective action.
• Using an integrated financial management system and linked reporting tools, alongside advanced spreadsheet skills.
• Identifying and implementing business process improvements within a finance environment to improve performance.

Essential Skills

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A customer-focused approach and commitment to excellent service.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to work accurately under pressure and meet multiple deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Additional Information:

• A Basic Access NI Check is Required at a cost of £16.

What we can offer you:

• Weekly pay
• Holiday pay
• 24/7 support from our dedicated recruitment consultants
• Access to a wide range of public sector roles
• Ongoing role availability - if one placement ends, we aim to secure another

Why Apply:

• Apply your finance experience within a public sector organisation.
• Work across budget monitoring, financial reporting and process improvement.
• Develop your experience in staff management and supporting senior finance colleagues.
• Contribute to the effective delivery of financial services.

How to Apply:

To apply, send your CV to or contact our office on for more information.

MPA Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer.

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