Job Description

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.

Position Title: Finance Officer (36546)

Role Purpose:

Ensure the finance services in the areas of income collection, taxes, banking and General Ledger reporting and reconciliation is aligned with business requirements and financial/accounting requirements of British Council and Singapore accounting standards.

Ensure accounting services are provided by the post holder in accordance with Corporate Standards and local regulations and requirements.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

1. Day to day operations (Revenue, Payment, Financial Accounting, Banking)

• Accounts Receivable

• Receive and post Cash Journals. Liaise with Customer Services team on any discrepancies
• Ensure all cash journals and cash desks are closed at the month-end with no discrepancy [A/C 230025]
• Work with India SSC, banks and SBU to resolve receipt issues eg unrecognized receipts
• Payments

• Coordinate with Accounts Payable team of SSC (Shared Service Centre), SBU (Strategic Business Unit) and banks in the payment process; weekly payment run, monthly Direct Invoicing, One Time Vendor payments, Off-system payments, in accordance to Corporate approval guidelines
• Process the monthly corporate credit card statement from the CitiManager portal for payment
• Support weekly customer refund [Exams/Teaching] process; prepare the payment file and related journal
• Work with India SSC, banks and SBU to resolve payment issues eg rejected payments/GIRO and unidentified payments
• Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Support the Finance Manager in the review of General Ledger Accounts. Ensure balance sheet risk items are identified and resolved timely
• Follow up with India SSC and SBUs to resolve bank reconciliation open items timely
• Provide finance support back up function as required by Finance Manager
• Contact Corporate credit card holders to clear open Concur claims and clear Concur control accounts monthly
• Support the monthly End of Period and quarterly FCCF (Financial Control Compliance Framework) reporting. Collate and review evidence, supporting documents as per EOP and FCCF\'s deadlines and compliance requirements
• Ensure finance document retention comply with Corporate policies and local Tax regulations.
• Any other matters as advised by Finance Manager
• Banking

• Maintain Banking relationships
• Update bank signatories and bank mandates
• Administrator of banking portal [CitiDirect]
• Weekly monitoring of cashflow to ensure there is sufficient funds for the Singapore operations
• Prepare and submit the monthly cashflow forecast and variance analysis
• Administer Corporate Credit Card applications and deletions

2. Prepare statutory returns and GST Return

• Compile and submit statutory returns
• Compile and submit of GST Return

3. Support Finance Manager in the Internal and External Audit Process

• Prepare information, extract documents and provide analysis for External & Internal Audits
• Provide timely response to audit questions
• Assist in the follow up of internal and external audit remediation plans

4. Participate in East Asia / Corporate finance projects

5. Relationship & stakeholder management

• Develops good working relationships with appropriate colleagues throughout the British Council and in HR to facilitate the effective provision of high quality and customer-focused services and advice
• As required, represents the British Council in discussions and dealings with external suppliers/providers

6. Personal Professional Development

• Participate is the Performance Management and Professional Development (PMPD) process and actively seek suitable opportunities for personal professional development.

Skills and Qualifications Requirement:

• Graduate in accounting or finance
• Minimum 5-years working experience in corporate accounting finance with multi-national organization(s)
• Strong systems knowledge (Excel [above average] , Word, Power Point, SAP)
• Attention to detail
• Experience working with banks
• Singapore Accounting Standards and Tax Laws (Preferred)
• Knowledge of British Council activities, policies and procedures (Preferred)
• Experience on supporting the implementation of change

Further Information
Pay Band: Grade 5
Contract Type: 8-months Fixed Term Contract (April-Nov 2023)
Location: Singapore

Condition of Employment: Local Direct Hire
Applications are welcomed from candidates currently in this location with a natural right to work. Applications are also welcomed from candidates currently based in other British Council country offices. However, please note candidates must have a natural right to work in the country, on a permanent basis, as immigration clearance and/or on-going visa support is not provided by the British Council for this role. Relocation support is also not provided.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.

We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council\'s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you have any problems with your application please email

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our \'ASK HR\' email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.

British Council