Financial Controller – West Africa Risk and Compliance Lead – West Africa

Pay Band: PB7 – F Reports to: Regional Financial Controller Duration of Job: Indefinite Role Purpose

This role supports the Regional Financial Controller with the end to end accounting process across the operation; including month and year end close, and ensures consistent, accurate and robust financial accounting processes in line with accounting practices and corporate policies. This is a key role in the new organisational structure emerging from the Financial Transparency recommendations. 
The role will manage a team (size will vary by region) of accountants which may be based in multiple locations.

Main Accountabilities The post-holder will:

Manage the financial month end process, being accountable to the Regional Financial Controller for the pre-closing and month end closing steps, including maintenance of accounting records.
As part of this the role will also be responsible for review and monitoring all accounting transactions and adjustments (accruals, deferrals and provisions), including Inter-company accounting, ensuring appropriate use of these in line with accounting rules
Review all manual journals and off-system payments to ensure accuracy and compliance with relevant policies
Perform reconciliation of all relevant accounts and ensure that this is completed to corporate standards
Ensure that local external accounting requirements are adhered to. This may include managing local providers such as tax accountants or auditors
Submission of local Tax and other statutory returns to Regional Financial Controller for approval
Provide an advisory function to cluster operations on technical accounting issues, and liaise with other specialist finance functions such as Tax and Treasury as needed
Identify issues and resolution in relation to financial accounting matters
Ensure that requests for new Master Data items (Profit Centre, Cost Centre, WBS, etc.) are compliant and that the integrity of finances is maintained
Produce periodic reports relating to financial accounting for cluster as requested by Regional Financial Controller
Monitor the cost allocation ratios for the cluster operations to ensure that they are based in accurate accounting rationale 
Ensure that the cluster operation fully complies with Travel & Expenses policy and that claims are submitted promptly and accurately with relevant documentation
Manage the creation of billing documents once the process has been initiated by the cluster operation and monitors debt levels
Manage the process of Income in kind submissions
Manage with Regional Financial Controller the service level agreement(s) with SSC
Co-ordinate at cluster level provision of information to internal / external auditors
Implement audit recommendations at cluster level
Supporting cluster country going through a Tax and Status change project
Supporting subsidiaries in cluster on post-stabilisation phase
Responsible for cluster management of:

Banking relationship
Capital assets additions, disposals and depreciation
Compliance with treasury policy
Capital markets and funding o Financial risk management/FX management 

Team Leadership and Management:

Demonstrate effective leadership of the cluster Financial Controlling and Accounting team and ensure that line management of staff is to British Council standards
Coach and support individuals and teams
Ensure that capability and capacity in the Financial Controlling and Accounting team is fit-for purpose and able to respond flexibly to changes in the portfolio and operating context
Ensure financial training for members of the team
Ensure Performance Management process in undertaken to meet corporate requirements
Actively support equality and diversity and work to the British Council’s EDI policy at all times.

Key Relationships: Internal

Country Directors & Cluster Leads
Regional Finance Director
FP&A Leads
Risk and Compliance Lead
Shared Services Centre
Corporate Finance External
Bank relationship manager

Person Specification Qualification:

Qualified Accountant – ACCA or CFA – with at least 3 years of experience post-qualification.

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience:

Excellent leadership and communication skills 
Able to relay complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way 
Highly organised and deadline oriented. 
Minimum of 3 years of qualified experience in a relevant managerial post.
Experience of managing a diverse team or group of stakeholders in multiple locations.         
Experience of an ERP system.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in written and spoken English:

Shortlisted candidates will either demonstrate they have met the required standard through presentation of an agreed English language certificate, or will be required to take the APTIS test and demonstrate a B2 level of English proficiency.

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