Head of Administration
Also known as: Accounting Manager · Head of Accounting
Leads the financial administration, safeguards the closing calendar and the quality of records and improves administrative processes and systems.
The head of administration is responsible for a team of clerks and bookkeepers and for the continuity of record keeping. Unlike the controller, the emphasis is on process, staffing and the reliability of the source rather than on analysis and advice. Selection stalls because the best bookkeeper is promoted to lead, while the role mainly demands workload distribution, absorbing peaks around the close and holding performance conversations in the team.
Competencies to measure
These are the behavioural and ability constructs in this profile. Each one shows which hrmforce questionnaire measures it.
| Competencies to measure | Target level | hrmforce instrument | Assessment method | Behavioural anchor at target level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy and attention to detail Competency (50-framework): Accuracy | N5 | Big Fifty, 360 Feedback | Personality questionnaire | Sets the standards for completeness and correctness, has samples checked and addresses teams on structural sloppiness. |
| Directing and steering people Competency (50-framework): Management | N5 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, 360 Feedback | Assessment centre | Designs the management line for the whole organisation, addresses managers on their style and defines what good steering means here. |
| Numerical reasoning | N5 | Ability Scan | Cognitive ability test | Sees in complex number series which assumptions determine the outcome and sets the calculation logic that others in the organisation follow. |
| integrity and dependability Competency (50-framework): Integrity | N5 | Big Fifty (Integrity Scale), 360 Feedback, Structured interview | Personality questionnaire | Sets the organisation's integrity standards, enforces them also with influential parties and explains the resulting choices publicly. |
| Discipline and keeping commitments Competency (50-framework): Discipline | N4 | Big Fifty, 15PF, 360 Feedback | Personality questionnaire | Commits only to what is feasible, tracks own commitments and informs those involved as soon as a deadline comes under pressure. |
| Managing workload pressure Competency (50-framework): Stress resilience | N4 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, Pulse Survey | Structured interview | Cuts or shifts tasks independently when busy on the basis of importance, records this and discusses consequences with clients. |
Short profile
The ten heaviest skills in this profile. The full profile with every skill, behavioural anchor and assessment method is in the download.
| T | Skill | Target level | Weight | Knockout | Assessment method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Quantitative interpretation | N5 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| G | Accuracy and attention to detail | N5 | 5 | no | Personality questionnaire |
| G | Directing and steering people | N5 | 5 | no | Assessment centre |
| V | Budgeting and cost control | N5 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| V | Financial administration | N5 | 5 | yes | Work sample test |
| A | Numerical reasoning | N5 | 4 | no | Cognitive ability test |
| G | integrity and dependability | N5 | 4 | no | Personality questionnaire |
| V | Monitoring progress | N5 | 4 | no | Structured interview |
| V | Process management and optimisation | N5 | 4 | no | Work sample test |
| T | Spreadsheets and worksheets | N5 | 4 | yes | Work sample test |
See all 26 skills in the full profile
Assessment instruments for this job
Work sample test
Representative work sample under standardized conditions
Knowledge test (client-specific)
Professional knowledge test, customized for each client
Competency Check
Behavioral-Level Competency Assessment
360 Feedback
Multiple assessments based on behavioral anchors
Big Fifty
Personality questionnaire, 150 items, 25 factors
Ability Scan
Aptitude Test: Verbal, Numerical, and Abstract Reasoning Skills
Portfolio
Evaluation of prior work against fixed criteria
Structured interview
Behavioral interview with a fixed structure
Big Fifty (Integrity Scale)
15PF
Personality Profile, a shorter alternative to the Big Fifty
Pulse Survey
Periodic measurement at the team and organizational levels
Comparable jobs
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Assistant Accountant25 skills in the profile · medior
Chartered Accountant26 skills in the profile · senior
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Business Controller26 skills in the profile · senior
Financial Controller26 skills in the profile · senior
Finance Manager27 skills in the profile · senior