Job Details

Transformation has resulted in changes in skills requirements, roles, and numbers of roles required in the new operating model. The roles in the new operating model will be restricted to employees in the selection pool in the first instance. Selection for any jobs that remain unfilled following the agreed selection process will be conducted in line with the Global Recruitment policy.

Consultant – Accountant (Zimbabwe & Zambia)

Role Purpose

The role is accountable for the operational and strategic leadership of British Council’s (Zimbabwe & Zambia) 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 Senior Accountant – Zambia/Zimbabwe 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.

The role will collaborate with a team of finance and non-finance personnel based in Zimbabwe & Zambia.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role:

The role holder will:

• Oversee and manage the end-to-end financial accounting for the Zimbabwe & Zambia Directorates and Sub-Saharan Africa Regional office (based in Zimbabwe) while ensuring accuracy, completeness and timeliness of accounting transactions and reporting,
• Act as one of the key finance business partners to senior managers and country directors, across operations in Zimbabwe & Zambia
• 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.
• The finance function has gone through several change programmes, and the post holder will play a key role in sustainability and achieving desired results of the changes and improvement projects.
• The organisation requires the financial function to have a level of commercial finance acumen as we expand our income generating activities, streamline our portfolio and target more partnership income. As a result, the role holder will play a key role in driving income & expenditure target/performance.

Main accountabilities:

The post-holder will (across operations in Zimbabwe & Zambia):

• Manage the financial month end process, being accountable to the Senior Accountant–Zambia & Zimbabwe 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.
• Assist Senior Accountant with preparation & submission of local Tax and other statutory returns.
• Responsible for country management of: Banking relationship, Capital assets additions, disposals and depreciation, and fixed assets register reconciliation.
• Demonstrate effective leadership of the country Financial Controlling and Accounting team and ensure that line management of staff is to British Council standards.

Requirements:

Role specific knowledge and experience:

• 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)

Minimum requirements:

• Qualified accountant – ACCA, Country Accounting Qualification – with at least 5 years of post-qualification experience
• Bachelor’s Degree

Desirable

• Experience working with international / multinational organisation.

Expected Start date – 1 February 2024

Contract Duration – 6 months

Location – Zimbabwe/Zambia

Language requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English.

Role holder must have existing rights to live and work in the country they are applying for.

Closing Date – 15th January 2024 (Applications will close 23:59 Central Africa Time)

We are committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We will support all employees to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment.  We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.