We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people. Location: Kazakhstan (Almaty Office: 11th Floor, Block A2, Samal Towers, 97 Zholdasbekov Street, Almaty) Department: Finance Contract type: Indefinite (permanent) Closing Date: May 2nd, 2024 at 23:59 You must have the legal right to work in Kazakhstan at the time of application. There is no relocation or sponsorship support. British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview. Role purpose In this role, you will collaborate closely with our Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver high quality financial accounting processes. Your key responsibilities include ensuring timely completion of financial accounts, accurate reporting, and adherence to corporate policies. As part of your duties, you'll oversee essential financial processes such as P2P, O2C, R2R, and CLM, maintaining consistency and accuracy in line with corporate and industry standards. Additionally, you'll play a crucial role in statutory reporting, tax review/filing, and cashflow reporting, ensuring compliance with audit processes. Communication is key in this role, as you'll facilitate smooth interactions between operational areas, the MSP, and Group Controllership. Your input will be invaluable in driving continuous improvement initiatives and optimizing MSP management practices. You need to be a pro-active self-starter with the ability to think strategically while keeping an eye on the detail; also, be a skilful and flexible finance professional with good communications skills and understanding of commercial finance. You will be in constant contact with business leads and members of the financial community across the network. Main Accountabilities Role model British Council values and EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) in day-to-day 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. 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. Deliver 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 retained in-country specific activities/processes, local, complex statutory/tax reporting, managing retained banking responsibilities, liaising with local authorities, supporting sanctioned countries and management of escalations raised by in-country teams and the MSP. Provide financial accounting support to sanctioned/embargoed countries. Contribute to statutory reporting, tax review/filing, cashflow reporting and audit processes. Provide Cash flow information and manage 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. Provide 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. Pro-actively identify unusual or complex transactions and recommend appropriate professional accounting treatments. Produce periodic reports relating to financial accounting. Implement 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. Implement financial procedures, policies, and systems necessary to meet the organisation’s global reporting. Requirements of the role: Experience and knowledge of financial control processes and Professional Accounting Standards (including relevant local requirements where applicable) for Commercial and/or Charitable organisations. Good influencing and negotiating experience. ERP experience. The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required. Higher Education Professional Qualification and Certification. Qualified accountant with at least 3 years of post-qualification experience. A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement