View Vacancy - Finance Manager EO (02/23 ACC)

Main purpose of job:

BHC Accra is a large post and is charged with delivering high impact and complex policy, programmes and campaigns on the full breadth of the Africa Strategy. All staff embody the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s approach to cross-departmental ways of working and the High Commission aims to be a highly-inclusive place to work, celebrating a workforce with both diversity of thought and background.

The main purpose of this job is to run the Accounts Office of the British High Commission and take day to day responsibility for the management of the Commission’s complex budget. It involves building effective relationships across the mission and delivering regular technical accounting services, as well as demanding full compliance with procedures and effective accounts management. Developing and maintaining strong working partnerships with the Finance Hub in Pretoria and the Global Transaction Processing Centre in Manila to deliver on key operational priorities.

What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Finance Strategy: Contribute to the formulation of the Financial Planning process of the High Commission by translating the Business Plan into Finance functional requirements: balancing the High Commission’s interests, relevant regulation and corporate standards

Management and Financial Advice: Provide Strategic advice on the financial management and performance indicators and related operational issues in order to support business decisions and act as an effective business partner within the mission. Providing financial data and analysis to relevant internal and external parties as input for further decision-making

Financial Planning and Control Cycle: Prepare and communicate on budgets, formulate, communicate and monitor procedures, guidelines and work instructions for financial administration within the guidelines of the Corporate Services Charter of the mission and 1HMG

Financial Administration and Accounting: Consolidate financial data for the Commission’s funds, ensure processing of accounts payable and accounts receivable; tax related requirements, manage the ledger accounts as well as manage and maintain cash and liquidity levels aligned to financial regulations of the FCDO.

Management Reporting: Collect, review and analyse and interpret (trends in) financial and non-financial data within guidelines of the FCDO as well as engage in discussions with senior management and other UK Government Departments.

Management of Team: Develop and innovate work methods and procedures, manage budget and lead and/or participate in relevant projects as well as organize, recruit, develop and motivate staff of the team.

Internal Control: Conduct internal compliance and control assessments, identify and address risk areas and implement measures to minimize the risk of irregularities, coordinate audits, based on corporate compliance and audit procedures; safeguarding fixed assets.

 Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Forecasting and monitoring of budget spends monthly to ensure effective budget control and forecast accuracy
• Managing the accounts section of the High Commission and engaging with customers, budget holders and stakeholders throughout the High Commission, as well as in London and the Regional Finance Hub in Pretoria: the accounts services are effectively a joint operation between Accra, Manila, London and Pretoria. 
• Provide robust day to day management of the BHC Budget to ensure accurate monthly forecast reports to the High Commissioner/Deputy High Commissioner
• Monitoring liquidity levels and request transfer of funds as appropriate as well as profiling funding requirement for the entire financial year
• Providing support to the work of all UK government departments present overseas  as described in the business plan, to ensure they all comply with generic procedures on core finance activities
• Processing and submitting the Overseas Accounting Returns and  Cash Funding Profiles to the finance hub in Pretoria
• Ensuring that spends are correctly booked into the General Ledger and preparing appropriate journals to reconcile wrong entries
• Ensuring that end-of-month procedures are implemented at to uphold excellent  Financial Performance and Compliance Indicator scores and House-Keeping
• Periodic Management reports - Prepare prompt and accurate monthly management reports to support effective management decision making, ensuring policies and procedures are maintained to ensure the integrity and timeliness of reports.
• Maintain assets responsibly and use escalation systems as appropriate to ensure timely and effective reporting of risks, issues and fraud
• Conduct physical asset verification exercise at least annually, reconcile the result of the exercise to the Fixed Asset register
• Provide specifications/requirements for all purchases as required by Post
• Ensure Financial Controls and the highest levels of financial propriety are applied in line with the Management Assurance Process
• Provide budget reporting and analyisis support on Programme budget spend 
• Driving Senior Budget Holder monthly review meetings
• Ensure balance sheet reconciliations are completed and items cleared in a timely fashion

 SALARIES & EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

·       Supervising Monthly Pay run for CBS

• Preparing end-of-year returns
• Liaise with Bank on payroll matters through the Straight to Bank platform
• Respond to Inland Revenue queries-Ghana Revenue Authority
• Liaise with pension providers such as SSNIT and Enterprise Insurance regarding stakeholder pension contributions.

MONITOR BANK ACCOUNTS, LIAISE WITH BANK

·       Ensure that bank requirements are met including facilities, signatories

·       Ensure that sufficient funds are available for cash needs.

·       Deal with routine correspondence and quarterly engagements with the bank

·       Monitor bank accounts regularly and reconcile bank statements monthly.

·       Update cash flow forecast regularly

TREASURY

·       Supervising Account Receivable  process and Petty cash transactions

·       Cash Management responsibilities

·       Credit card management at Post

REPORTING

·       Monthly Network Post Accounting Report

·       Respond to monthly budget  forecast queries from the Finance hub

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

·       1 Member of staff

·       A complex budget

• Communication skills, fluent in written and spoken English.
• IT skills (including proficiency in MS office packages i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook etc.).
• Organisational skills and good attention to details
• Good customer service skills
• Good interpersonal relation – able to deal with all staff and teams within the High Commission
• Excellent/Fluent communication skills in English (both written and spoken) is essential. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
• A degree in accounting, finance, or a related field and with three (3) years of experience in a financial management role.
• Previous line management experience.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting and budget monitoring.
• Ability to work under pressure using own initiative and following compulsory rules and procedures. Ability to understand and interpret policies, regulations and rules.
• Proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines. Strong multitasking, organisational, and time management skills, with excellent attention to details.
• Strong analysis skills, with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Committed to learning and development for one’s self and the team.