Finance Officer – An Cosán

An Cosán (Irish for "The Path") is Ireland's largest community education organisation. Our mission is to bring about social equality and an end to poverty through community-based adult education, the provision of early years' education, wraparound services, including one-to-one tutoring and mentoring, and empowering social enterprise development. Since 1986 we have supported over 23,000 people to reach new pathways to empowerment via community education. Using innovative technology to deliver virtual access to its range of learning programmes, An Cosán reaches communities across Ireland.

The Finance Officer will operate within the ethos, values, policies and procedures of An Cosán, particularly in relation to Equal Opportunities.

Job Title: Finance Officer
Reports to: Finance Manager
Contract: Permanent, Full time (39 hours)
Salary: €40,230 – €56,813 (commensurate with experience)
Pension: Auto-Enrolment via the State-sponsored My Future Fund scheme
Annual Leave: 24–27 days (based on length of service)
Location: An Cosán, Kiltalown Village Centre, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24

The Role

The Finance Officer will support the financial management and operational efficiency of An Cosán's finance function, maintaining accurate financial records, supporting budget management and assisting with financial reporting to funders.

Key Responsibilities

Monthly Accounts, Budgetary Processes and Reporting

• Support with the preparation of monthly accounts
• Maintain the debtors ledger
• Support annual audit preparation, including schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation
• Support with the preparation of budget information for funding applications and annual budgets
• Prepare supporting information for financial returns required by funders
• Analyse pre-approved credit card expenditure
• Liaise with colleagues to provide up-to-date financial information
• Assist with cashflow monitoring and forecasting

Banking

• Process pre-approved payments, payment files and internal transfers

Payroll

• Provide support to the payroll function as required

Compliance / Administration / Other

• Oversee the Pobal portal (Hive) to ensure accuracy of early years subventions
• Maintain the credit card register and administer credit card holders
• Maintain the register of financial policies and procedures and support organisational compliance
• Support process improvements and internal control development
• Participate in finance and governance compliance activities
• Carry out any other duties as requested by the Finance Manager or the CEO

Person Specification

Essential

• Relevant qualification in Accounting or Finance (e.g. Accounting Technician or part-qualified ACCA/ACA/CIMA)
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a dynamic finance team environment
• Excellent numeracy skills and acumen with financial data
• Strong compliance and administration experience with attention to detail
• Proficiency in Sage 50 or similar accounting package
• Excellent IT skills including MS Office and Excel
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while managing competing demands
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent team player with a flexible work attitude

Desirable

• Experience with multiple funding streams and grant reporting
• IPASS or equivalent payroll qualification
• Experience working in the charity / not-for-profit sector in Ireland
• Affinity with the importance of engaging learners and communities in realising their potential