Consultant - Regional Financial Accountant at the British Council

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant - Regional Financial Accountant SSA (South Africa / Rwanda / Nigeria)

Location: Lagos
Department: SSA Finance
Contract Duration: 12 months
Language requirements: Strong written and oral English communication skills.

Role Purpose

• The British Council seeks an experienced finance consultant within the Finance Function in Sub Saharan Africa to support 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.

Main Accountabilities

• Support the Regional Financial Controller in managing the financial month end process including pre-closing and month end closing steps, maintenance of accounting records, review and monitoring all accounting transactions and adjustments (accruals, deferrals, and provisions), intercompany accounting, and ensuring appropriate use of these in line with accounting rules.
• Review manual journals to ensure accuracy and compliance with relevant policies.
• Review regional trial balance and balance sheets, and make required adjustments to ensure accurate, complete, and timely financial report for the region.
• Review all relevant accounts and ensure that this is completed to corporate standards.
• Support the review and submission of quarterly financial control & compliance framework (FCCF) returns for SSA.
• Supporting subsidiaries in cluster on post-stabilisation phase.
• Manage country / cluster financial control where there are absences (e.g., due to exits or absences).
• Coordinate and manage regional financial control meetings documentation actions and following up the delivery as planned.
• Supporting subsidiaries in cluster on post-stabilisation phase.
• Coordinate and manage regional financial control meetings documentation actions and following up the delivery as planned.
• Manage country / cluster financial control where there are absences (e.g., due to exits or absences).

Requirements
Minimum Requirements:

• Qualified Accountant - ACA, ACCA, CFA - with at least 3 years of experience post-qualification OR Graduate of Finance, Economics, Business Administration or other related fields.

Role Specific Knowledge and Experience:

• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Able to relay complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way
• Minimum of 3 years post-qualification experience in a relevant managerial / consultancy post OR minimum of 7 years’ experience in financial management / leadership / consultancy role at country, cluster, or regional level.
• Experience in managing a diverse team or group of stakeholders in multiple locations.
• Experience of an ERP system.
• Experience gained working in similar role within a profit or not-for-profit organisation.
• Experience in managing / delivering finance change or improvement projects
• Desirable is practical exposure to SAP or similar accounting solution, experience of managing finance for donor-funded projects or experience working with a Big-4 accounting firm.

Application Closing Date
27th July, 2023 (23:59 Central Africa Time).