Group Reporting Manager

Job title:

Group Reporting Manager

Company

British Council

Job description

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.British Council Pay band 9-DLocation: Any UK Office (Edinburgh, Cardiff, London, Belfast, and Manchester, UK)Department: FinanceContract type: Indefinite (permanent)Closing Date: 2nd Septemeber 2024 at 23:59 UK timeInterview dates: TBC‘This role is open for applications from employees who are currently located and have the right to work in the United Kingdom. The successful candidate will remain in their current location/entity’You must have the legal right to work in United Kingdom at the time of application as there is no relocation or sponsorship support provided.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 purposeReporting to the Director, Finance Operations and Control, the Group Reporting Manager will make a major contribution to all aspects group financial accounting and reporting. The role holder will lead finance’s initiatives to maintain and improve the quality, validity, and integrity of the Council’s financial and sub-ledgers.The role-holder will need to demonstrate initiative and leadership during a period of significant organisational change, including within Finance. Candidate must be able to display a level of determination to deal with day-to-day issues whilst maintaining a view of longer-term goals. They must also display an understanding of the organisation’s aims and the ability to connect and influence finance and operational colleagues within the UK and overseas.Role contextThe British Council has grown significantly in recent years as it has built up revenues from its exams and it needs to continue to build and secure those revenues while at the same time maintaining close financial control and compliance in a network which covers 110 countries in seven regions around the world as well as in the UK. Managing financial and operational risk in this environment as the Council seeks to maintain growth in an uncertain political environment and increasingly competitive global commercial markets.Driving efficiency and transparency through changes and standardisation of finance processes, systems and people capabilities are key to delivery of the Corporate Plan. A finance transformation programme, led by the Director of Finance Transformation, is underway with the aim of significantly improving our business processes and provide the accounting and reporting capabilities needed to meet the British Council’s ambitions.This role will contribute visibly to an increased focus on our financial expertise, already well underway, and the exemplary standards and objectives of a repositioned global finance community.Senior stakeholders that the role interacts with regularly include:

• Director Finance Operations and Control
• Global Finance Leadership team
• Managed Service Provider
• Global Finance colleagues
• SLT, Strategic Business Unit and Regional partners
• Company Secretary
• Professional Services leads.
• External and Internal Auditors

Main accountabilities include but not limited to:Leadership & management

• Provide leadership and people management to the team, role model British Council values and EDI 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 reporting, providing a good standard of financial insight and financial discipline. Build a culture of continuous learning and improvement

Financial Management

• Manage the production of all aspects of group statutory reporting and consolidation in an accurate and timely manner. Liaise with regional/ country offices to ensure compliance with local statutory reporting requirements. Manage and enhance the year end close process to improve the speed of production and quality of year end accounting reports.

• Manage the audit process for the Council, including planning, data preparation and coordination with the Council’s external auditors (NAO and PWC currently). Ensure audit recommendations are followed up, actions agreed, and issues are resolved.

• Ensure that the Council’s financial policies are robust and up to-date with external reporting requirements. Drive and ensure implementation of the financial procedures, policies, and systems necessary to meet the organisation’s global reporting. Develop and maintain an accounting policies and procedures manual in conjunction with the Finance Policy Manager.

• Provide analysis and advice on the potential implications of proposed changes in accounting rules / policies and legislation / government rules. This includes the “rules” around the Government Financial Reporting Manual (FREM) and International Financial Reporting Standards and WGA accounting.

• Ensure that all Group TB, especially Balance Sheet accounts are analysed and validated / reconciled monthly with a minimum of individual reconciling items and reflect an accurate and true valuation of assets and liabilities in accordance with policy.

• Oversee the control and financial management of the Council’s Fixed Assets.

• Esnure that all financial reporting controls are in place between each subsidiary (located across the globe) and the UK holding-company (BC Holdings Ltd.) that achieve set-out periodic (monthly at present) reporting timetable deadlines in accordance with GAAP requirements and British Council policy.

• Ensure the inclusion in the consolidation process of additional subsidiaries as and when they become incorporated. Build relationships with SAP Finance management, Tax, Global Networks colleagues to ensure awareness of group development plans.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Lead stakeholder engagement and business partnering for statutory financial reporting, 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.

Sector/subject expertise

• 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.

Service Improvement

• Drive and ensure implementation of the financial procedures, policies, and systems necessary to meet the organisation’s global reporting. Enhance and develop the Council’s balance sheet review process.

Role specific skills

• Strong Financial Reporting, Accounting, Closing and Compliance skills.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, able to relay complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way.
• Highly organised and deadline oriented.
• Building relationships at all levels of the organisation.
• Flexibility, independence, and initiative to perform successfully in a rapidly changing environment.

Role specific knowledge and experienceMinimum/essential

• A significant number of active years of financial reporting and related statutory reporting experience.
• Strong influencing and negotiating experience.
• Managing and developing teams.
• Strong Financial Control experience and knowledge of Professional Accounting Standards.

Desirable

• Shared Services Operations.
• Experience of working in international and multi-cultural organisations.
• SAP/ERP experience.
• Tax and Treasury knowledge.

Education

• Higher Education
• Qualified accountant with considerable experience post-qualification.

Language Requirements

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

Additional job requirementsProof of Identity requirements/right to work in countryCandidates are expected to have researched whether they have the right to live and work in the country in which the role is based. Given that our offices have different legal status depending on the work we do in those countries, we recommend that you contact HR in country for additional information on the likelihood of securing a visa. Only at its discretion will the British Council provide support so please check first whether visa support is offered.Background ChecksInitial and continuing employment with the British Council is subject to an annual background check. The job undertaken defines the nature of check(s) and assessment applied.For detailed Role Profile and any questions please reach out to [email protected]A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) StatementThe British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.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; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.If you have any problems with your application please emailPlease note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.

Expected salary

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 05:07:04 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (un-jobs.net) you saw this job posting.