British Council - Manager - Financial Accounting

Financial Accounting team is responsible for close of books, ensuring integrity of books of accounts and preparing financial statements.

The role will support the team including UK Group Reporting Team in ensuring that the audits are completed in time & any anomalies in Balance Sheet is reported and appropriate action have been taken to resolve the issue.

The role-holder will also support in developing key relationship with NAO, UK & regional team.

The end purpose of the role is to support NAO Audit & to have cleansed (reviewed & substantiated) Balance Sheet which will ensure timely closure of annual accounts.

Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties:

(including people management and finance)

A. Balance Sheet Review & Substantiation

1. Monthly review of financial statements (primarily Balance Sheet) of British Council. Ensure steps are taken to correct accounting errors and omission.

2. Developing an understanding of each balance sheet account to ensure substantiation of balances.

3. Liaise with stakeholders to seek clarifications/ required inputs on unsubstantiated balances

4. Reporting - Preparing Regional Balance Sheet Packs and sharing the progress with stakeholders on issues, suggesting controls etc.

5. Analysis of GL Balances and providing insights to stakeholder.

6. Governance on ensuring that the review action points are being actioned and closed.

7. Ensure proper documentation (evidence) is maintained against the substantiated balances.

8. Liaise with Other Teams - Fixed Assets Team, Inter Co. Team, Transactions Team, Data & Systems Team

B. Audit Planning & Management

1. Supporting External Audit - Act as single point of contact for NAO (Auditors) for providing correct evidences on samples selected by NAO.

2. Responding to NAO on evidence in timely manner.

3. Stakeholder management in effective manner with Regions & in UK, Internal & External Auditors

4. Perform necessary Analysis of Audit Samples to provide inputs as Guidance on key Accounts, Amount threshold, Audit Queries, Findings, Errors & Observations, to relevant departments & SPOCS

5. Support internal audit.

C. Support in preparation of notes to account and review with auditors.

D. Ensure necessary process documents are prepared, reviewed & up to date.

Experience:

- Audit Management (Preferable Big 4 Audit Firms experience)

- Experience in handling audits (internal, Statutory etc.)

- Accounting experience (Preparing and reviewing GL Review, financial statements)

- SAP working Experience

- Ability to analyses numbers and provide insights on financial statement

- Ability to manage a team in terms of deliverables and performance management.

- Exposure in closing & preparation of financial books (preferable)