Legal Cost Accountant

Role Profile Job Title: Legal Cost Accountant Business Unit: State Claims Agency Reports to: Head of Legal Costs Contract: Permanent ** Closing date for applications - 22/09/25 ** Summary of the Business The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) provides asset and liability management services to the Irish Government.
It has evolved from a single function agency managing the National Debt to a manager of a complex portfolio of public assets and liabilities.
Businesses managed by the NTMA include borrowing for the Exchequer and the management of the National Debt, the State Claims Agency, the New Economy and Recovery Authority ("NewERA"), the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, National Development Finance Agency and the NTMA Future Ireland Funds business unit with responsibility for the management of the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund .
The NTMA also assigns staff to the National Asset Management Agency, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI).
Working at the NTMA offers excellent benefits including: Flexible work options including hybrid working and variable work hours An extensive wellbeing programme Excellent learning and development opportunities that allow for full career development within the organisation A diverse range of initiatives: LGBT+, Gender Matters, Disability Awareness, Sports & Social, Volunteering and lots more Reimbursement of annual professional membership fees Career average Defined Benefit Pension Scheme The NTMA is designated as the State Claims Agency (SCA) when performing the claims management and risk management functions delegated to it under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000.
The SCA's principal objectives are: The SCA is obliged by statute to manage delegated claims and counterclaims in such manner as to ensure that the liabilities of the State authorities are contained at the lowest achievable level.
In performing this function the SCA seeks to act fairly and ethically in its dealings with people who have suffered injuries and who take legal actions against the State or State bodies, and the families of these people; and To implement targeted personal injury and property damage risk work programmes to mitigate litigation risk in State authorities and healthcare enterprises, in order to reduce the costs of future litigation against the State.
The SCA is obliged by statute to manage claims for legal costs, and recovery of legal costs however such costs are incurred.
The SCA's remit covers personal injury and third-party property damage risks and claims relating to certain State authorities including the State itself, Government ministers, the Attorney General, the Health Service Executive, the voluntary healthcare sector, An Garda Sochna, the Irish Prison Service, the Defence Forces and community and comprehensive schools.
It also manages third-party costs arising from certain Tribunals of Inquiry.
Role Summary The Legal Costs Unit within the State Claims Agency is seeking to recruit a Legal Cost Accountant to join an established legal costs team, managing more than 1500 legal cost claims per annum.
Reporting to the Head of Legal Costs, the role involves management of high-volume solicitors' bills of costs and negotiation with a view to achieving savings.
Principal Accountabilities The principal accountabilities associated with the role will include: Professionally analyse and scrutinise incoming bills of costs including liability for payment.
Represent the State Claims Agency at Circuit Court and High Court adjudication of costs hearings or by way of negotiation of costs and/ or the presentation of oral or written submissions necessarily required or directed Liaise with external panel solicitors and legal advisers, and relevant delegated State authorities taking instructions for the purpose of opposing bills of costs and dealing with all aspects of legal costs related queries Management of a large caseload comprising a variety of costs claims When requested the provision input into reports as required Providing full support to the Head of Legal Costs, in-house solicitors and claims management teams Supporting a culture of continuous improvement to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the Legal Costs Unit.
Skills Strong organisational skills with ability and experience of managing a large portfolio of costs claims Excellent report writing, IT and Communication Skills (Oral and Written) Sound judgment, negotiation and problem-solving skills Knowledge 5 years or more experience as part of a team in a modern and fast paced legal costs management environment negotiating and or adjudicating incoming solicitors' bills of costs Knowledge of the legal costs industry preferable Membership of one of the relevant recognised professional governing bodies would be desirable Pension Abatement If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee's re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.
Please note: In applying for this position, you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply.
It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office/Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.
Applicants will be required to complete a pre-employment declaration to confirm whether they have previously availed of a Public sector pension scheme.
The NTMA is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
We recognise that a diverse and inclusive workplace informs better decision making, creative thinking, innovation and drives business performance.
We are strongly committed to ensuring that our workforce is representativeof our society.
The NTMA is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
We recognise that a diverse and inclusive workplace informs better decision making, creative thinking, innovation and drives business performance.
We are strongly committed to ensuring that our workforce is representative of our society.
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