National Organisation Assistant Consolidation Controller at Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-profit organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and enable children to prepare for - and respond to - crises and adversity. We believe in the power and potential of every child, but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: National Organisation Assistant Consolidation Controller

Location: Hybrid - GH (Woking) / Remote
Functional Area: Global Finance
Reports to: Financial Consolidation Controller
Location Hybrid - GH (Woking) / Remote
Travel required: None
Duration: 6-month fixed term
Grade: 3

Role Purpose
Plan International Worldwide (PWW) is made up of 20 National Organisations (NOs) and Plan International Inc (PII). PWW prepares voluntary combined financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), while PII is legally required to prepare standalone consolidated financial statements under US GAAP. Financial statements for both PWW and PII are prepared centrally at Plan International's Global Hub (GH) using SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC):

• NOs are independent legal entities whose principal activity is fundraising, executing development programmes and humanitarian operations.
• PII is a New York State-registered not-for-profit corporation, and its principal activities are planning, managing, and executing development programmes and humanitarian operations across 58 countries. PII's activities are coordinated through four global, regional hubs (Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa and West and Central Africa). PII is funded through donations received from its member NOs.

As independent legal entities, NOs prepare local GAAP financial statements under local guidance. They must also submit IFRS-compliant financial statements for use in the PWW
combined financial statements.

This position is based at GH Woking and is essential in ensuring that financial reporting data from NOs is accurate and timely. It will strengthen the current data collection and analysis processes, document monthly data flows from all NOs, build permanent files for each NO, and create desk-top procedures for continuous improvement initiatives. It encompasses the following responsibilities:

• Ensures NO submissions are timely, based on the GH-issued reporting timetable, and meet required quality standards
• Responsible for proactively following up with the NO finance teams to ensure that late submissions are kept to a minimum.
• In conjunction with the NO Financial Consolidations Controller, acts as a key contact for all NOs regarding NO financial submissions;
• Along with the NO Financial Consolidation Controller, responsible for liaising with NO finance teams to ensure that the Global Hub team is aware of all major transactions prior to period close.
• Builds a strong relationship with NO Finance teams, such that unusual or significant transactions are identified on a timely basis, with sufficient time to resolve any accounting issues under IFRS.

Dimensions of the Role

• Reviews NO monthly, quarterly, and annual finance submissions for completeness and accuracy, ensuring timeliness of returns.
• Contributes to the input process to enable the monthly/quarterly/annual analytical review of all NO GRID, Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss submissions.
• Identifies any significant local GAAP vs IFRS differences and any adjustments needed for IFRS combination purposes
• Inputs into the preparation of the quarterly/year-end instructions for NOs and co-manages the submission process in collaboration with the consolidation team
• Collates and monitors all NO audit control issues resulting from local statutory audits and monitors their resolution.
• Works with NOs to investigate and resolve unexplained variances and chase up missing data in preparation for the quarterly and annual combination process
• Once the relevant NO finance team and the Financial Consolidation Controller approve, prepare and post any required corrections into BPC.
• Supports completion of the PWW and PII Audit Plan deliverables.
• Engages with external auditors in managing the year-end process and audit queries.
• Prepares and maintains NO permanent files, including dates of incorporation, key contacts, legal status, local auditors, etc.
• Key business user (subject matter expert) of the SAP BPC consolidation and reporting system.

Accountabilities
Group-level combination/consolidation is completed accurately and on time every quarter and at year-end for PII and PWW:

• Supports the preparation of combined/consolidated group accounts for PWW and PII
• During peak workloads, provides support to the Financial Consolidation Controller in determining PWW and PII consolidation/elimination adjustments and posts them correctly each month into the SAP BPC.
• Works closely on a timely basis with other support functions to gather and understand all the appropriate information for required consolidation adjustments (e.g. Intercompany team, Strategic Finance, etc.)
• Audit and other regulatory filing requirements are met, and financial statements and other filings are completed on time with no adverse control findings:
• Ensures compliance with IFRS for PWW.

Other:

• Ensures that Plan International's global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy, including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International's Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures
• Builds strong relationships with other support functions, such as Strategic Finance, People and Culture, Legal.

Problem-Solving:

• PWW has an income of c. €1bn with operations across 78 countries and c. 360 programme locations. Accurate and timely financial information is critical to managing and controlling processes and identifying adverse trends and is reliant upon an excellent working knowledge of the PWW and PII structures, PII's Member NOs and related parties.
• PWW & PII accounts, over the next two year-ends, will have data flows from legacy and new ERP systems. These multiple sources of financial information will present unique challenges in ensuring the completeness and accuracy of reported numbers, which this role will assist in navigating.
• Accounting decisions which require resolution at a group consolidation level often involve the exercise of judgement and precise knowledge of the accounting standards and regulations, as well as the ability to apply this in practice.

Key Relationships

• This post primarily interacts with the GH Accounting Services and NO Finance teams, BPC system accountants, Strategic Finance and Treasury.
• Externally, the NOFC interacts with the group external auditors supporting the audit process.

Technical Expertise, Skills and Knowledge
Knowledge:

• Part Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Educated to First Degree standards.
• Strong, proven knowledge of corporate accounting under both IFRS and US GAAP.
• Ability to create appropriate financial reports to investigate trends and variances (e.g. month on month, quarter on quarter, year on year)
• Experience in group reporting, including consolidations, in a group finance function
• Strong knowledge of and experience in applying financial accounting controls.
• Knowledge and awareness of best practice financial policies and procedures.
• Consolidation systems experience, preferably SAP BPC.

Skills and Behaviours

• Ability to learn quickly.
• Able to manage and prioritize multiple demands and tasks.
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively with financial and non-financial staff at all levels, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to identify issues, consult others where appropriate and make sound decisions within the finance area, being fully accountable for such decisions.
• Ability to work on own initiative and take ownership for completion of tasks.
• Works well within a team.
• Strong financial reporting design skills
• Ability to produce reports and slide packs to a high presentational standard.
• Promotes continuous improvement, innovation, and learning.
• Able to work calmly under pressure, prioritize and work to tight deadlines.
• Consistent approach to work and decision-making.
• Able to develop and work to complex operating timetables.
• Committed to Plan's work with an understanding of and being a role model for Plan's aims and values.

Plan International's Values in Practice
We are open and accountable:

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organization for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact:

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximize long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together:

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, and is willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and 'win-win' relationships with funders, partners and communities
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering:

• We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
• We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
• We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives.

Physical Environment

• Typical office environment.

Level of Contact With Children

• Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction.

Application Closing Date
25th August, 2023.