UK Financial Controller Corporate Services

We support peace and prosperity by building connections understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education arts culture language and creativity.
Working with people in over 200 countries and territories we are on the ground in the more than 100 countries.
We connect. We inspire.

Salary:Starting at 55699plus 3300 London Market Allowance for those based in the London area.
Contract Type:Fixed term contract for 1 year
Location:London
Right to Work Requirements:Right to Work in the UK. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.
Closing Date:advert will close onThursday May 29 2025 at 23:59.
Benefits Include but are not limited to:

• 32 days annual leave in addition to public holidays
• 3 days volunteering leave
• Career average defined benefit pension scheme

Role Purpose
This role is responsible for overseeing the British Councils financial accounting activities and ensuring the integrity accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting. The role works in close partnership with our Managed Service Provider (MSP) taking ownership of the relationship to ensure strong financial controls risk management and consistent delivery of services.
The role plays a key part in overseeing retained financial processes across Procure to Pay (P2P) Order to Cash (O2C) Record to Report (R2R) and Cash and Liquidity Management (CLM). It ensures that financial accounting is delivered to a high standard in line with corporate policies and accounting best as the UKbased lead for Corporate Services finance the role supports specific retained activities and processes while managing escalations from both incountry teams and the MSP. The Controller also contributes to statutory reporting audit processes and cash flow reporting.
Beyond technical delivery the role plays a vital part in improving communication and collaboration across operational areas and with the MSP. It also works closely with Group Controllership to drive continuous improvement and effective MSP performance position requires the confidence and credibility to challenge senior stakeholders and uphold high standards of financial accuracy and compliance. It also involves leading the provision of expert advice and specialist retained financial services at a high professional level.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following

• Role model British Council values and EDI in daytoday interactions with colleagues at all levels. Ensure high levels of professionalism are demonstrated by everyone and that client and customer needs are reflected in ways of working. Champion financial accounting providing a good standard of financial insight and financial discipline. Build a culture of continuous learning and improvement and promote learning from our experience across the unit and wider organisation.
• Work closely with the MSP to ensure the financial accounts are completed correctly and in a timely manner and numbers are reported accurately.
• Lead the delivery of retained financial processes supporting P2P O2C R2R and CLM ensuring consistent accurate and robust financial accounting in line with accounting practices and corporate policies.
• Provide UK and Group incountry specific activities/processes local complex statutory/tax reporting and management of escalations raised by incountry teams and the MSP.
• Contribute to statutory reporting tax review/filing cashflow reporting and audit processes.
• Provide guidance and direction to ensure high level of global financial compliance. Devise and implement key performance indicators for controls and compliance across the unit/area reporting on them and leading initiatives for further improvements. Embed a culture of compliance and shared accountability.
• Play a key role on the Cash Committee in managing payment runs and debt management processes and by extension influencing these processes across the global network. Develop Cash flow forecasting and management and liaise with the central Treasury team.
• Manage the provision of information to internal / external auditors. Implement and report on the progress of audit recommendations. Identify and challenge issues and bring resolution in relation to financial accounting matters.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and business partnering for retained financial processes building strong working relationships with key stakeholders and the MSP to ensure that activities comply with professional accounting standards technical accounting issues and other external reporting requirements in British Council.
• Provide guidance and advice on professional accounting standards technical accounting issues and other external reporting requirements in British Council. Liaise with other specialist finance functions such as Tax Treasury Finance Policy and Global Process Owners as needed. Proactively identify unusual or complex transactions and recommend appropriate professional accounting treatments. Produce periodic reports relating to financial accounting.
• Develop manage and execute plans for implementation of new or updated accounting and reporting requirements in line with professional accounting standards; communicate change effectively with internal stakeholders ensure appropriate training.
• Work alongside the transformation team to centralise and move activity to an MSP environment. Drive and ensure implementation of the financial procedures policies and systems necessary to meet the organisations global reporting.

Requirements of the role

• A significant number of active years of financial controllership and related experience.
• Strong influencing and negotiating experience.
• Managing and developing teams.
• Strong Financial Control experience and knowledge of Professional Accounting Standards.
• Qualified accountant with considerable experience postqualification.
• The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We are committed to equality diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement
The British Council is committed to safeguarding children young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19 UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Councils Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

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