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.

Role Purpose

This role is responsible for supporting the end-to-end accounting process in the country, including month and year end close, and ensures consistent, accurate and robust financial accounting processes in line with accounting practices and corporate policies. This is a supporting role in the Financial Controlling and Accounting process which is a key function in the new organisational structure emerging from the Financial Transparency recommendations.

Main Opportunities and Challenges

Support the team with end-to-end financial activities with tight deadlines


Ensure consistent and robust accounting processes is followed in line with corporate policies

Main Accountabilities

Complete all financial tasks required for the financial month-end pre-closing steps and provide support as required for the financial month-end closing steps


Complete all financial tasks required for the financial year-end pre-closing steps and provide support as required for the financial year-end closing steps

Maintain financial records as per corporate policy and internal audit

Provide support as required on accounting transactions and adjustments (accruals, deferrals and provisions), including Intercompany accounting

Provide support as required with manual journals and off-system payments requests ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant policies

Assist with reconciliation of all relevant accounts and ensure that this is completed to corporate standards

Assist Senior Accountant with preparation of local Tax submissions and other statutory returns

Complete Travel & Expenses audits as per policy addressing issues in a promptly manner

Assist Senior Accountant / Financial Controller with provision of information to internal / external auditors

Assist in the implementation of audit recommendations

Responsible for ensuring integrity of cash collection process

Responsible for ensuring integrity of customers refund process

Support the income reconciliation process by extracting relevant reports

Ensure compliance with treasury policy

Prepare monthly local staff salaries calculation, report month to month reconciliation

Check overtime and TOIL claims in line with TACOS (local terms and conditions) and policy

Calculate Social Insurance, where applicable, and prepare payments

Control staff loans and advances on SAP and report offline month to month reconciliation

Calculate monthly terminal gratuity (TG) provision and quarterly record on SAP; keep TG GLs up to date on SAP and matching offline sheets

Ensure proper coding of the staff salaries to the correct WBS

Prepare final payments for leaving staff and ensure no unsettled commitments or eligibilities between the employee and the council or between the council and the bank

Provide Senior Accountant with the forecasted cash outflow related to payroll payments

Control Reimbursement of Operational Entitlements for UKA staff

Reconcile SAP payroll charges with HR on a monthly basis

Regional And Functional Team Working

Contribute to ensuring the policies, procedures and systems are delivered with integrity

Work closely and effectively as part of the regional and global finance teams

Actively support equality and diversity and work to the British Council’s EDI policy at all times

About You (essential Requirements For The Role)

3 years of accounting experience.

Experience working with SAP
Bachelor of commerce
Accounting Knowledge
Experience in Microsoft applications