Finance Policy Analyst at British Council

Role Purpose - The Job

The purpose of the role is to develop, draft and implement finance policies to support an effective internal control environment.

• The Finance Policy Analyst will support the development of an effective finance policy framework that embeds strong financial control and ensures compliance with external regulatory and reporting requirements. They will work with internal stakeholders and outsourced service providers to embed policies and monitor and improve compliance.
• The Finance Policy Analyst will contribute to the development and application of accounting policies to a complex and dynamic international charitable group. They will provide advice to colleagues on financial policy and controls and the application of accounting standards and policies.
• The Finance Policy Analyst will ensure that finance policies are consistent with the British Council’s Strategy, objectives and risk appetite. They will proactively work with colleagues delivering change to ensure that effective and proportionate financial controls are embedded as part of the change. They will also work with colleagues in other corporate and operational functions to support the development and implementation of an effective entity-wide control environment and culture.

Main Accountabilities
Subject expertise

• Contribute to the design and delivery of a framework of policies, and processes and controls that support business objectives and ensure compliance with all applicable UK and overseas laws, regulations and reporting requirements.
• Design, draft and implement finance and accounting policies and guidance including drafting chapters of the Accounting Manual.
• Review and update existing policies to take account of changes to business processes, delivery models, staffing structures and other changes in internal and external requirements.
• Maintain the framework of financial delegated authorities, ensuring that it is periodically reviewed to reflect changes to business objectives, organisational structure and risk appetite. Design and maintain systems and processes to implement the delegations.
• Contribute to the development, maintenance and oversight of policies, processes and controls to mitigate sanctions and prohibited transactions risks to an acceptable level.
• Ensure that finance policies and guidance notes that are clear and easy to understand for non-finance professionals, and for those whose first language is not English.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of compliance monitoring and reporting to ensure that policy compliance can be measured and action taken where non-compliance is identified.
• Design and deliver communications and training on financial policies to ensure that relevant users understand their responsibilities. Work with stakeholders, including the training team, to achieve this.
• Keep up to date with developments in accounting standards, external regulatory requirements, changes to relevant legislation and best practice in financial control and compliance and assess their impact on the British Council.

Leadership & management

• Use skills, knowledge and expertise to contribute to wider finance developments and transformation projects to support efficient, effective processes that benefit the British Council.
• Act as a champion for financial controls and compliance, explaining its importance to stakeholders in all parts of the organisation to help embed a culture of compliance.
• Be the representative for finance, particularly relating to policy and controls, at relevant internal stakeholder meetings and deputise for the Head of Global Finance Policy and Compliance when necessary.
• Ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is considered in developing policies, processes and systems and apply EDI policies wherever relevant.

Consultancy, analysis and problem solving

• Provide advice and guidance on the application of financial reporting standards to the British Council’s circumstances and on the implications of changes in accounting standards.
• Respond to queries on the implementation of policies and on related financial reporting, control and governance issues.
• Support the financial governance aspects of establishing new subsidiaries, branches and other legal entities globally.

Strategy and/or Planning

• Understand the corporate strategy, objectives, and operating environment to ensure that policies are in line with the risk appetite and support efficient processes.
• Keep up to date with changes initiated by other areas of the business that impact on finance policies and processes to ensure that the impact on finance policy is considered as part of the change and that appropriate proportionate financial controls are embedded in new processes. This includes reviewing proposed changes submitted to the Finance Governance Change forum.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Identify and consult with relevant stakeholders in developing policies.
• Liaise with finance stakeholders, including the Global Processes Owners and Finance Centres of Excellence provider to ensure that policies support revised finance processes and that the impact on process is considered when policies are developed.

Service improvement

• Work with stakeholders in and beyond finance to identify and deliver improvements in finance processes and controls. This includes ensuring that processes are efficient and follow best practice such as appropriate automation of controls and embedding ‘compliance by design’ making it easy for staff and customers to comply with policies and controls.
• Where appropriate, make business cases for and support the implementation of new systems to support compliance and compliance monitoring.
• Lead or contribute to projects to improve financial controls and compliance.

Minimum/essential
Requirements Of The Role:

• Designing and documenting finance policies, processes and guidance
• Excellent drafting skills and ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms
• Identifying and implementing improvements in financial processes and controls
• Flexibility, independence and initiative to perform successfully in a rapidly changing environment.
• Compliance requirements for a large, complex organisation
• Excellent analytical skills
• Consulting with stakeholders and managing different views
• Communicating policies, responding to queries and providing training
• Knowledge of UK GAAP
• Applying financial reporting standards to complex circumstances

Desirable

• Knowledge of financial reporting and compliance in the UK charity and/or public sector, particularly the Charities SORP
• Planning and delivering projects
• Sharing knowledge and delivering effective communication strategies
• Experience in the charity and/or public sector
• Experience of group structures and/or international organisations
• Working with an outsourced finance service provider or shared service centre
• Delivery or support of major finance change programmes

Education

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent professional experience is essential.
• A postgraduate qualification or equivalent professional experience is desirable.

Professional Qualification and Certification

• Recognised international accounting or finance qualification (for example, CCAB qualification) or equivalent, such as a relevant degree.