The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways – directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other’s strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.
Accountant – Senegal
Role Purpose
The role is accountable for the operational and strategic leadership of British Council’s Senegal Financial Control activities and country team. Focusing on timely, accurate, complete financial accounting and reporting in line with internal organisational requirements and external regulatory standards, while acting as a trusted partner to the business delivery and operational support teams.
This role supports the Financial Controller – West Africa Cluster with the end-to-end accounting process across the operation; including month and year end close, and ensures consistent, accurate and robust financial accounting processes in line with accounting practices and corporate policies.
Main opportunities/challenges for this role
- Oversee and manage the end-to-end financial accounting for the Senegal while ensuring accuracy, completeness and timeliness of accounting transactions and reporting
- Act as one of the key finance business partners to senior managers and the Country Director in Senegal
- Ensure compliance with financial reporting standards (FRS102 – The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland), and all relevant local statutory regulations, including tax-related legislations, foreign exchange policies, etc.
- Play a key role in sustainability and achieving desired results of the changes and improvement projects and play a key role in driving income & expenditure target/performance.
Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:
- Manage the financial month end process, being accountable to the West Africa Cluster Financial Controller for the pre-closing and month end closing steps, including maintenance of accounting records. As part of this the role will also be responsible for review and monitoring all accounting transactions and adjustments (accruals, deferrals and provisions), including Intercompany accounting, ensuring appropriate use of these in line with accounting rules.
- Review all manual journals and off-system payments to ensure accuracy and compliance with relevant policies.
- Perform reconciliation of all relevant accounts and ensure that this is completed to corporate standards.
- Ensure that local external accounting requirements are adhered to. This may include managing local providers such as tax accountants or auditors.
- Submission of local Tax and other statutory returns.
- Provide an advisory function to country operations on technical accounting issues and liaise with other specialist finance functions such as Tax and Treasury as needed.
- Ensure that requests for new Master Data items (Profit Centre, Cost Centre, WBS, etc.) are compliant and that the integrity of finances is maintained.
- Produce periodic reports relating to financial accounting for Senegal as requested by West Africa Cluster Financial Controller
- Monitor the cost allocation ratios for the country operations to ensure that they are based on accurate accounting rationale
- Ensure that the country operation fully complies with Travel & Expenses policy, complete Travel & Expenses audit and ensure that claims are submitted promptly and accurately with relevant documentation.
- Manage the process of Income in kind submissions.
- Ensure compliance to service level agreement(s) with SSC
- Co-ordinate at country level provision of information to internal / external auditors.
- Supporting country going through a Tax and Status change project.
- Responsible for country management of:
- Banking relationship
- Capital assets additions, disposals and depreciation, and fixed assets register reconciliation
- Compliance with treasury policy, Capital markets and funding and financial risk management / FX management
- Ensure that capability and capacity in the Financial Controlling and Accounting team is fit-for-purpose and able to respond flexibly to changes in the portfolio and operating context.
- Ensure Performance Management process in undertaken to meet corporate requirements.
Role specific knowledge and experience
- Financial Reporting and Compliance (Level 1)
- Professional Accounting Standards (Level 2)
- Transactional Accounting and Closing (Level 1)
- Cash and Liquidity Management (Level 1)
- Tax Accounting (Level 1)
Essential requirements
- Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience
- Minimum of 2 years in a similar finance role
- Good understanding of financial control processes applicable to Commercial and/or Charitable organisations.
- Track record of managing key finance function in international / multinational organisation in similar context; and leading an efficient, innovative and result oriented team.
- Able to relay complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way to support non-financial managers
- to deliver against financial performance indicators
- Experience of managing a diverse team or group of stakeholders in multiple locations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Experience of an ERP system (SAP preferably)
Desirable
- Deliver and support the implementation of stringent financial requirements to multi-disciplinary internal staff and external partners.
- Direct experience of applying financial controls and procedures within complex operating environments to meet challenging contractual standards.
- Experience of overseeing, supporting and significantly improving financial management capability and performance of individuals and teams outside of formal / direct line management control
Further Information
- Pay Band – BRC-6-G
- Renumeration: FR 1,283,685.00 per month
- Contract Type – Two (2) Years Fixed Term Contract
- Location – Dakar, Senegal
- Some travel may be required but is not expected to be significant.
- Language requirements: Strong written and oral English communication skills. Proficiency in French is desirable.
- Role holder must have existing rights to live and work in the country the role is based.
Closing Date – 4 December 2022. Applications will close 23:59 East Africa Time.
