Financial Controller Cluster Lead

Role Title

Financial Controller Cluster Lead MENA

Role Information

Role Type: Finance

Pay Band: PB7-F

Location: MENA

Duration: Indefinite

Reports to: Regional Financial Controller

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.

About us

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.

We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body.

Geopolitical/SBU/Function overview:

The Finance function is structured along functional lines with the aim of embedding the ‘three lines of defence’ model at its heart, clearly separating the financial control (first line) and risk and assurance (second line) functions, ensuring the integrity of our results and the strength of our controls. 

This will allow the organisation to focus more easily on business decision making, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting on the basis of accurate monthly results.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role:

Requirement to travel across the region, to the UK and the SSC in India.

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 Intercompany 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 / country 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 / country as requested by Regional Financial Controller.

Monitor the cost allocation ratios for the cluster / country operations to ensure that they are based in accurate accounting rationale

Ensure that the cluster / country 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 / country operation and monitors debt levels.

Manage the process Income in kind submissions.

Manage with Regional Financial Controller the service level agreement(s) with SSC.

Co-ordinate at cluster / country level provision of information to internal / external auditors.

Implement audit recommendations at cluster / country level.

Supporting cluster / country going through a Tax and Status change project.

Supporting subsidiaries in cluster / country on post-stabilisation phase.

Responsible for cluster / country management of:

Banking relationship

Capital assets additions, disposals and depreciation

Compliance with treasury policy

Capital markets and funding

Financial risk management / FX management

Team Leadership and Management:

Demonstrate effective leadership of the cluster / country 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

Bank relationship manager

External

Tax authorities

Role Requirements:

Passport requirements/ Right to work in country    Assessment stage: Shortlisting

Direct contact or managing staff working with children? No

Person Specification:

Language requirements

Minimum / essential

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.   Assessment Stage: Shortlisting

Qualifications

Minimum / essential

Qualified accountant – ACCA or CFA – with at least 3 years of experience post-qualification. Assessment Stage: Shortlisting

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience

Minimum / essential

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.

Desirable: Experience working with SAP.    Assessment Stage: Shortlisting

Role Specific Skills (if any)

Excellent leadership and communication skills

Able to relay complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way

Highly organised and deadline oriented.    Assessment Stage: Shortlisting AND Interview

British Council Core Skills

Analysing Data and Problems Level 3: Analyses patterns – Seeks out and examines a range of information to identify patterns, trends and options, to solve multifaceted and complex problems.

Communicating and Influencing Level 3: Is creative and adaptable in communications – Able to use a range of non-standard and creative approaches to inform, and persuade others, extending beyond logical argument to influence decisions and actions in a way which is inclusive and engaging.

Managing risks

Level 2: Supports a risk management culture – Has track record of identifying and highlighting risks and suggesting mitigating actions.

Planning and Organising

Level 2: Plans ahead – Organises own work over weeks and months, or plans ahead for others, taking account of priorities and the impact on other people.

Managing People

Level 3: Manages a team – Provides full line management to a team where all members are working in a similar area of expertise or business.  Scope includes planning, setting objectives, role modelling an inclusive culture, recruitment, development and performance management.

Financial Reporting and Compliance

Level 2: Ensure integrity, accuracy and completeness of financial statements and reports, and identify appropriate disclosures.

Professional Accounting Standards

Level 2: Manage and implement change to accounting and reporting requirements and promote compliance, in accordance with professional accounting standards.

Transactional Accounting and Closing

Level 2: Manage and validate month and year-end close processes and activities, ensuring action as necessary.

Business Partnering

Level 2: Partner with the business to provide sound advise based on transparent, meaningful and comprehensive management information to inform, influence and achieve positive business outcomes.

Assessment Stage: Shortlisting AND Interview

British Council Behaviours

Being Accountable (MORE DEMANDING): Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own.

Connecting with Others (MORE DEMANDING): Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others.  

Making it Happen (MORE DEMANDING): Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results.

Working Together (MORE DEMANDING): Ensuring that others benefit as well as me.

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Creating Shared Purpose (MORE DEMANDING): Creating energy and clarity so that people want to work purposely together.

Shaping the Future (MORE DEMANDING): Exploring ways in which we can add more value.

Assessment Stage: Interview