Accounts Officer AO, Corporate Services at British High Commission

Main purpose of job:

• The Account Officer plays a vital role in supporting the financial operations of the British Deputy High Commission Lagos, ensuring the accurate, timely, and policy-compliant execution of financial processes. This includes managing supplier and staff payments, reconciling accounts, liaising with the Bank and working closely with the Global Transaction Processing Centre (GTPC) and Regional Finance Hub.
• The role is responsible for maintaining the mission’s funding profile, processing financial returns, managing the cash office, and ensuring accurate use of the Network Post Accounting (NPA) system. The Account Officer will also support budget forecasting, handle invoice processing and resolution, maintain financial records, and ensure compliance with FCDO financial policies among other responsibilities. This position requires close collaboration with internal teams and external partners to ensure the integrity and efficiency of all financial transactions and reporting.  

The successful applicant will also need to:

• Demonstrate technical knowledge of basic financial systems, accounting principles, and reconciliation processes.
• Be highly organised and able to manage multiple financial tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with internal teams, external stakeholders, and regional finance hubs.
• Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive financial data.
• Be a team player who can work collaboratively across departments and with international finance teams.
• Be proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft 365 tools, with the ability to work with financial systems.

Roles and responsibilities: 

Accountant / Finance Officer

• Assist in ensuring all finance and procurement processes are followed in line with network policies and guidelines, including timely supplier and staff payments, reconciliations, official bank liaison, finance returns and providing general network finance guidance. 
• Assist in the reconciliation of Direct Debts in official bank account.
• Work closely with network teams, Regional Hub, and Global Transaction Processing Centre (GTPC) Manila on consolidated, regionalised, and self-service finance processes.
• Preparing and monitoring an accurate Funding Profile for the Financial Year and to proactively analyse the accounts and highlight discrepancies
• Managing the budget for Bank Charges.
• Supervise the operations of the cash office efficiently and in compliance with audit/financial best practice requirements, promptly processing all cash receipts, replenishing the imprests, preparing financial returns, bank runs.
• Processing and recording all cash payments and receipts on the Network Post Accounting (NPA) as per the guidance, including correctly accounting for spend and reducing the risk of fraud.
• Receiving funds into the BDHC Accounts according to the FCDO guidance and procedures.
• Performing the Cash-In-Transit transactions and working with the GTPC on bank accounts reconciliation
• Checking/approving the payment batches, payment reminders; processing of invoices
• Carrying out account reconciliation with Suppliers and report issues with GTPC
• Receiving, reviewing, and submitting invoices for processing.  Investigating invoicing problems and resolving within 15 days.
• Working with the GTPC to ensure balance sheet accounts are reconciled on a regular basis. 
• Perform the End of Month tasks according to the FCDO guidance
• Accounting for internal residence-hosted events, payment of extra staff invoices and yearly checks
• Supporting the Nigeria Network with finance related questions, e.g. in relation with submitting cash expense claims, handling the incoming mail.
• Record keeping/filing of paperwork in accordance with guidelines.
• Assisting Head of Corporate Services with maintenance of the Local Budget records by preparing and submitting the Budget Amendable and Forecasting returns as per the published guidelines and calendar when necessary.
• Managing the relationship with the local bank
• Other duties that may reasonably be required and which are in accordance with the grading and success profiles of the job.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Language requirements: English
• Level: Proficient
• Excellent Networking and Relationship Management.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline, possession of a recognized professional accounting certification such as ACCA, ICAN, or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience in Finance and related work in a large corporate environment.
• Proficiency in the use of spreadsheets for reconciliations and other financial applications, as well as familiarity with accounting and audit tools
• Fast Learner with Good analytical and team-working skills
• Excellent hands-on knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office software.
• Precision in implementing tasks, meticulous attention to detail

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Ability to Work with Minimal Supervision
• Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, verbally and in writing
• Good communication and team-working skills
• Able to adapt to a quick changing and evolving business environment; working proactively and autonomously.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver high quality results on multiple areas of work with tight deadlines