APPLICATION FORM FOR:

Assistant Accountant

Please carefully note the following instructions:

  • Please ensure you read in full, the instructions for the completion of this application form and complete all areas, including the supplementary questions section, in full. Failure to complete all areas of the application form may result in you not being brought forward to the interview stage of the selection process.
  • Candidates should note that there can be a time delay in receiving email applications. We recommend that applicants when returning an application by email should allow a minimum of 1 hour for their application to reach the closing time of 22 April 2016 at 12 noon. Applications will not be accepted after this date and time, no exceptions will be made.
  • Applications stored on personal online storage sites, e.g.SkyDrive, cloud etc. will not be accepted.
  • In relation to details of employment, if the space provided is insufficient, please attach additional pages ensuring to use the same format.
  • Please read the Job Specification which provides useful information about the requirements of this post.
  • Should you be invited for interview, you may take a copy of your application form with you.
  • Housing Finance Agencyplc. will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Codes of practice are available on the CPSA website
  • Housing Finance Agency plc. is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
  • Housing Finance Agency plc. recognises its responsibilities under the Data Protection Acts 2003 & 1988 and the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Please return completed application form to:

E-mail:
Closing date for applications: / 22 April 2016 at12 noon

SECTION A

Applicant Details:

Position Applied for: / Assistant Accountant
Personal Details:
First name :
Last Name:
Postal address for correspondence:
Mobile Telephone(mandatory):
Alternative Telephone number:
E-mail Address (mandatory):
(Please provide one Email Address Only)
PPS Number
Where did you see this position advertised?
First Name: / Surname:

You must ensure that all sections of this application form are completed in full. This section of the form will be photocopied for the use of the Interview Board.

In the event of a short-listing exercise being employed an expert board will examine the application forms and assess them against pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position. It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your qualifications/ experience on the application form.

  1. Academic and/or Professional Qualifications:

Full title of
Degree/
Qualification(s)
held / Grade obtained
(e.g. Pass; 2.2;
2.1; 1; etc.) / Please give
Results for each
Subject taken in
final exam / University,
College or
Examining
Authority / Year in which
Degree/
Qualification
was obtained / Full address at
which you
resided
First Name: / Surname:
  1. Overview of career history - please detail all periods since you have left full time education:

From / To / Title / Employer

3.Detailed career history – listing the most recent first:

Job Title:
Grade/ Level (if applicable):
Employer(s) & Department Name:
From: / To:
Main Roles & Responsibilities:
Job Title:
Grade/ Level (if applicable):
Employer(s) & Department Name:
From: / To:
Main Roles & Responsibilities:
First Name: / Surname:

3. Detailed career history (continued):

Job Title:
Grade/ Level (if applicable):
Employer(s) & Department Name:
From: / To:
Main Roles & Responsibilities:
Job Title:
Grade/ Level (if applicable):
Employer(s) & Department Name:
From: / To:
Main Roles & Responsibilities:
Job Title:
Grade/ Level (if applicable):
Employer(s) & Department Name:
From: / To:
Main Roles & Responsibilities:
First Name: / Surname:
  1. Please give below any other relevant information in support of your application:

HOUSING FINANCE AGENCYPLC IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

SECTION B

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS FOR USE IN THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

for the post of

Assistant Accountant

In the following section we ask you to describe some of your personal achievements to date that demonstrate certain skills and abilities which have been identified as necessary for the position of Assistant Accountant. These skills and abilities are indicated in the headings of questions 1 to 5 on the following pages.

For each heading you are given a description of a skill or quality area. You are then asked to describe a situation, from your own experience, which you think is the best example of what you have done and which demonstrates or provides evidence of this skill or ability. It is essential that you describe how you demonstrated the skill or quality in question.

The information you provide may form part of a shortlisting process and will also be used to help structure your interview, if you are invited to one. In this instance the interview board may question you in detail about the information you provide, with particular reference to the actions you took and your reasoning for doing so. Therefore, compose your replies carefully and try to structure what you write so that you give specific information about what you have done - for example, do not simply say that “X was successful”, describe exactly what you did and why you did it.

Please try not to exceed the space provided in the boxes. One of the skills required of an Assistant Accountantin the HFA is the ability to write clearly and concisely.

NOTES SECTION

For each of the examples you provide in the following section, please provide the following information:

(a)Briefly describe the background/ the nature of the task, problem or objective

(b)what you actually did and how you demonstrated the skill/quality

(c)the outcome or result of the situation

Please do not use the same example to illustrate your reply to more than two questions.

Please note:

  • You may use a word processor to reproduce these pages and type your replies
  • All questions must be answered
  • It is recommended that you keep a copy of this part of the application form

First Name: / Surname:

In the spaces below, briefly describe what you consider to be a good example of demonstrating your ability in each of the skill/ quality areas. Please provide the information in the format requested at a, b, and c on the “Notes” Section. Remember anything you say may be discussed in more depth at interview if you are called to one.

1.Interpersonal & Communication Skills

As the Assistant Accountant you will need to be able to communicate confidently and work with a wide range of people.You must be able to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively and be able to adapt yourcommunicationstyle to particular situations and audiences. You may be required to communicatemessages assertively andmaintain a firm line dealing with certain parties.

First Name: / Surname:

2.Planning and Organising

dOrganising

As the Assistant Accountantyou will need to structure and organise your own work effectivelyin addition toplanning and organising resources in order to meet objectives within agreed timescales.This may involve prioritising tasks and monitoring progress against objectives.

First Name: / Surname:
  1. Analytical Thinking and Decision Making

As the Assistant Accountantyou will be required to identify and obtain relevant information from a variety of sources and to objectively analyse and evaluate this information in order to make recommendations as appropriate. It is important to demonstrate the ability to understand a complex problem or situation and approach it in a step-by-step way. It is essential to show when making a decision you can take a strategic/long term view of issues and that you consider the wider implications of taking a particular course of action.

First Name: / Surname:
  1. Commitment to Quality

As the Assistant Accountantyou must take responsibility for producing high quality work,even when workingto tight deadlines. You will be required to enhance and improve the quality of service providedand will need to ensure you keep up to date with current accountingstandards.

First Name: / Surname:
  1. Experience / Career in preparation of management or financial accounts

Please outline below (including dates) three highlights of your career to date where you have used your technical skills in the preparation of management or financial accounts. Please also include a brief description of the project/activity in which you were involved, the position level at which you were engaged, and the reporting relationships involved.

1. Briefly describe project/activity / Description of your responsibility and technical input
2. Briefly describe project/activity / Description of your responsibility and technical input
3. Briefly describe project/activity / Description of your responsibility and technical input
First Name: / Surname:
  1. Please give a brief statement of your practical experience, if any, of using IT software.

Software Used / Purpose/Activity / How long you used it for / Level of Proficiency
Please tick under headings as appropriate.
Advanced User
/ Regular User / Have Used

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Assistant Accountant– Housing Finance Agency plc.