Director of Finance & People

The overall objective of the role of the Director of Finance & People is to lead and deliver the strategic development of ati’s Finance & People functions with a view to developing and enhancing financial management, setting out a national and international growth strategy over the course of 2025 – 2029 (Strategy 2030) and getting organisationally ready.

The role reports directly to the Chief Operations Officer, working closely with the Leadership Team to support ati’s strategic objectives.

ati has developed a new accounting profession: the Certified Accounting Technologist. It is underpinned by the first all-island apprenticeship degree qualification at a time when the opportunities are immense, and our strategic decisions need to be smart and widely owned across the ati community.

The Director of Finance & People leads 2 staff (Finance Lead & Accounts Assistant) working on:

1. Preparation of Financial Statements, Managements Accounts; sales and expenditure forecasts

2. Managing Accounts payable; credit control; cashflow, payroll, financial audit & revenue returns

3. Posting to and maintenance of financial ledgers

4. Preparation of Monthly & Quarterly P&L

5. Production of statutory and internal financial reporting

6. Ensuring that appropriate systems and internal controls are implemented and maintained

7. Preparation of V.A.T., P.A.Y.E. and PRSI returns

8. Fulfilling payroll requirements

9. Liaising with external auditors

10. Reconciliation of Revenues returns; on-line credit card payments; balance sheet

11. Preparation of creditors payments by EFT/cheque

12. Securing the financial assets of the business

The Director of Finance & People has responsibility for

Finance

• Leading and managing the Finance team, ensuring a supportive and inclusive working environment, high performance, prioritisation and sequencing of workloads, and fostering a culture of coaching and mentoring.

• Leading the design and implementation of excellent ati -wide planning processes, including business strategy, department planning and student & member revenue planning and forecasting.

• Leading the design and implementation of effective process optimisation & effective methods and processes for monitoring and evaluating financial performance

• Guiding analysis and evaluation of strategic opportunities and options and supporting strategic decision-making with good financial evidence and expert advice.

• Overseeing the design and creation of a Finance Handbook outlining all departmental policy and procedures including user-friendly checklists tailored to specific tasks, with clear progress indicators which contributes to a streamlined workflow and minimises the risk of overlooking essential steps.

• Overseeing effective financial management for a wide range of external stakeholders: colleges; government agencies, and business organisations.

• Ensuring a strong influence on decisions likely to have effects on ati, mitigating risks and optimising opportunities.

• Ensuring ati secure & optimise grant and cross border funding for the purpose of the Technician and Technologist programme.

• Ensuring excellent and productive relationships with other departments and colleagues across the Institute.

• Leading on special projects as requested by the Chief Operations Officer.

• Producing reports and briefings as requested by the Chief Operations Officer, Board of Directors & Finance Committee.

This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and other duties will be required from time to time, compatible with the nature of the role.

People

• Cultivate a company culture at ati where the well-being of the team holds equal importance to business success, promoting teamwork and inclusion as cornerstones of achievement.

• Develop and lead on a programme of people development which focuses on learning, development and training initiatives, aligned with ati’s culture and values.

• In consultation with the Chief Operations Officer and Departmental Heads, refresh or develop job specifications aligned to current business strategy.

• Manage all recruitment & onboarding of new staff.

• Maintain HR Records via HR Locker online platform.

• Monitoring attendance & absence.

• Maintain, update the ati staff handbook in line with current employment policy ROI/NI & ati’s Ways of Working Policy.

• Organise regular employment/pensions policy updates for staff as required.

• Upgrade Performance Management Policy & Procedures in line with best practice.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Operated at a senior level as a finance and People leader for several years.

• Be able to demonstrate a record of continuous development, improvement, and innovation.

• Be flexible, positive, and enthusiastic and able to demonstrate an outstanding record of achievement in their career to date.

• Must be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).

• Have a good understanding of the Education environment in Ireland and Northern Ireland and current issues as they impinge on the mission and nature of ati.

• Have excellent analytical skills, able to evaluate and apply evidence to solving complex issues at operational and strategic levels.

• Proven ability leading, managing, and developing teams.

• Excellent prioritisation and delegation skills.

• Outstanding strategic thinker, able to scope and evaluate options and find solutions, adeptly juggling across multiple projects.

• Able to handle high-level, sensitive, and confidential matters and information appropriately.

• A personal alignment to the values of ati and to equality, inclusion, and diversity.

Desirable Criteria

• Financial experience in the Charities sector and a good understanding of the financial management of public sector grants.

• Outstanding engagement and communication skills.

• Proactive developer of productive internal and external networks.

• Evidence of successful innovative and creative thinking.

• Strong self-awareness and evidence of dedication to personal development and improvement.

• Confident and highly credible with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.

The Institute

We are the leading professional body for Accounting Technicians & Certified Accountng Technologists, with more than 10,000 members and students on the island of Ireland. Founded in 1983, we provide nationally and internationally recognised accounting qualifications which open the door to a rewarding career as an Accounting Technician & Certified Accounting Technologist, as well as further study.

Our members are employed in industry, practice, and the public sector, at all levels of finance, where they proudly carry the respected professional designation of MIATI for Accounting Technicians and CIATI for Certified Accounting Technologists. We educate, train, and represent our members, throughout their professional lives.

Accounting Technicians Ireland is a registered charity in Ireland. (CHY6846)

Vision

To be the clear leader in the provision of innovative professional accounting education on the island of Ireland that addresses the challenges of the future, builds a more diverse and active member community, and provides visible pathways for those for those who want to progress.

Remote First Policy

ati is a remote first organisation. Employees carry out essential routine administrative activities & meetings online from home (WFH). Employees also regularly attend training, learning and development; cross functional team activities; and engagement with stakeholders in person from ati’s HQ in Pearse St.

ati is an equal opportunities employer. Canvassing will disqualify.

Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@accountingtechniciansireland.ie by 5pm on 13th November 2026.

Renumeration and specification queries can also be sent to hr@accountingtechniciansireland.ie.