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Role purpose:

The purpose of the role is to develop, draft and implement finance policies to support an effective internal control environment.

The Finance Policy Analyst will support the development of an effective finance policy framework that embeds strong financial control and ensures compliance with external regulatory and reporting requirements. They will work with internal stakeholders and outsourced service providers to embed policies and monitor and improve compliance.

The Finance Policy Analyst will contribute to the development and application of accounting policies to a complex and dynamic international charitable group. They will provide advice to colleagues on financial policy and controls and the application of accounting standards and policies.

The Finance Policy Analyst will ensure that finance policies are consistent with the British Council’s Strategy, objectives and risk appetite. They will proactively work with colleagues delivering change to ensure that effective and proportionate financial controls are embedded as part of the change. They will also work with colleagues in other corporate and operational functions to support the development and implementation of an effective entity-wide control environment and culture.

Role Context

The British Council is implementing a finance transformation programme which includes more efficient, customer focussed controls. The Finance Policy Analyst will play a key role in updating policies and implementing new policies that support the new Target Operating Model and improved finance processes. They will have to work effectively with the Shared Service Centre, which may be provided by an outsourced supplier.

Managing diverse stakeholder relationships and keeping abreast of wider corporate developments and new initiatives is key to the success of the role. Key relationships include:

• Director Finance Operations
• Director Finance Transformation
• Finance Global Process owners
• Regional Financial Directors, Controllers and Compliance Managers
• Head of Finance Shared Services Centre and/or outsourced service provider
• Financial Reporting team
• Corporate Governance team
• Internal Control and Compliance team
• Counter Fraud team
• GIS SAP Team and other GIS managers

Main Accountabilities:

Subject expertise

• Contribute to the design and delivery of a framework of policies, and processes and controls that support business objectives and ensure compliance with all applicable UK and overseas laws, regulations and reporting requirements.
• Design, draft and implement finance and accounting policies and guidance including drafting chapters of the Accounting Manual.
• Review and update existing policies to take account of changes to business processes, delivery models, staffing structures and other changes in internal and external requirements.
• Maintain the framework of financial delegated authorities, ensuring that it is periodically reviewed to reflect changes to business objectives, organisational structure and risk appetite. Design and maintain systems and processes to implement the delegations.
• Ensure that finance policies and guidance notes that are clear and easy to understand for non-finance professionals, and for those whose first language is not English.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of compliance monitoring and reporting to ensure that policy compliance can be measured and action taken where non-compliance is identified.
• Design and deliver communications and training on financial policies to ensure that relevant users understand their responsibilities. Work with stakeholders, including the training team, to achieve this.
• Keep up to date with developments in accounting standards, external regulatory requirements and best practice in financial control and compliance and assess their impact on the British Council.

Leadership & management

• Use skills, knowledge and expertise to contribute to wider finance developments and transformation projects to support efficient, effective processes that benefit the British Council.
• Act as a champion for financial controls and compliance, explaining its importance to stakeholders in all parts of the organisation to help embed a culture of compliance.
• Be the representative for finance, particularly relating to policy and controls, at relevant internal stakeholder meetings and deputise for Finance Policy and Governance Manager when necessary.
• Consultancy, analysis and problem solving
• Provide advice and guidance on the application of financial reporting standards to the British Council’s circumstances and on the implications of changes in accounting standards.
• Respond to queries on the implementation of policies and on related financial reporting, control and governance issues.
• Support the financial governance aspects of establishing new subsidiaries, branches and other legal entities globally.

Strategy and/or Planning

• Understand the corporate strategy, objectives, and operating environment to ensure that policies are in line with the risk appetite and support efficient processes.
• Keep up to date with changes initiated by other areas of the business that impact on finance policies and processes to ensure that the impact on finance policy is considered as part of the change and that appropriate proportionate financial controls are embedded in new processes. This includes reviewing proposed changes submitted to the Finance Governance Change forum.

Relationship and Stakeholder management

• Identify and consult with relevant stakeholders in developing policies.
• Liaise with finance stakeholders including the Global Processes Owners and Shared Service Centre provider to ensure that policies support revised finance processes and that the impact on process is considered when policies are developed.

Service improvement

• Work with stakeholders in and beyond finance to identify and deliver improvements in finance processes and controls. This includes ensuring that processes are efficient and follow best practice such as appropriate automation of controls and embedding ‘compliance by design’ making it easy for staff and customers to comply with policies and controls.
• Where appropriate, make business cases for and support the implementation of new systems to support compliance and compliance monitoring.
• Lead or contribute to projects to improve financial controls and compliance.

Role specific knowledge and experience:

Strong supporting statement detailing interest in role and displaying how candidate meets the requirements for the role (Application Stage)

Essential

• Designing and documenting finance policies, processes and guidance
• Excellent drafting skills and ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms
• Identifying and implementing improvements in financial processes and controls
• Flexibility, independence and initiative to perform successfully in a rapidly changing environment.
• Compliance requirements for a large, complex organisation
• Excellent analytical skills
• Consulting with stakeholders and managing different views
• Communicating policies, responding to queries and providing training
• Knowledge of UK GAAP
• Applying financial reporting standards to complex circumstances

Desirable

• Knowledge of financial reporting and compliance in the UK charity and/or public sector, particularly the Charities SORP
• Planning and delivering projects
• Sharing knowledge and delivering effective communication strategies
• Experience in the charity and/or public sector
• Experience of group structures and/or international organisations
• Working with an outsourced finance service provider or shared service centre
• Delivery or support of major finance change programmes

Language Requirements

The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.

Education and Qualifications

An undergraduate degree or equivalent professional experience is essential.

A postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience is desirable.

Recognised international accounting or finance qualification (for example CCAB qualification) or equivalent such as a relevant degree.

Further Information

Pay Band – Pay band 8/E

Contract Type – Indefinite Contract

Location – This role can be based in the UK in any of the British Council’s UK offices.

Salary – £33,904 - 41,309

Advert Closing Date – 22nd February 2023

Interview Date/s – 10th and 13th March

Start Date – End of April 2023 (subject to completion of satisfactory pre-employment checks)

In addition to a competitive salary and excellent pension contributions, the British Council offers:

• 
  Employee Assistance Programme
• 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
• 3 days volunteering leave
• Career average defined benefit pension scheme
• AND – you get to use all the experience you’ve built up working in and / or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world.

Requirements –

• Candidates are expected to have researched whether they have the right to live and work in the UK.
• Some travel and out of hours work may be required

For the detailed Role Profile, please send an email to [email protected]

Job contact :

Name :
AskHR Team
Email :
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Recruitment team :

Email :
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