Financial Controller

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.We connect. We inspire.Financial ControllerLocation: Kathmandu, Nepal (Onsite)Contract Type: Indefinite ContractClosing date: 13th November 2025 at 20:59 UK TimeRequirements: You must have the legal right to work in Nepal at the time of application. We are unable to support with visa sponsorship and relocation.Role Context - About The TeamThis role supports the financial accounting activities for the British Council and works closely with the Managed Service Provider (MSP) to ensure the financial accounts are completed correctly and in a timely manner, and numbers are reported accurately.The role delivers retained financial processes supporting P2P, O2C, R2R and CLM ensuring consistent, accurate and robust financial accounting in line with accounting practices and corporate policies.The role also contributes to statutory reporting, tax review/filing, cashflow reporting, audit processes and will provide finance support to sanctioned/embargoed countries.The postholder will improve communication across operational areas and with the MSP and will work closely with Group Controllership to support on-going continuous improvement and effective management of the MSP.The post holder must be comfortable challenging senior stakeholders to ensure consistent, accurate and robust financial results whilst complying with financial accounting processes and in line with accounting practices and corporate policies.This role provides financial accounting professional advice and provides specialist retained financial services.Main AccountabilitiesLeadership and Management Role model British Council values and EDI in day-to-day interactions with colleagues at all levels. Ensure high levels of professionalism are demonstrated by everyone and that client and customer needs are reflected in ways of working. Champion financial accounting, providing a good standard of financial insight and financial discipline. Promote learning from our experience across the unit and wider organisation. Financial Management Work closely with the MSP to ensure the financial accounts are completed correctly and in a timely manner, and numbers are reported accurately. Deliver retained financial processes supporting P2P, O2C, R2R and CLM ensuring consistent, accurate and robust financial accounting in line with accounting practices and corporate policies. Provide retained in-country specific activities/processes, local, complex statutory/tax reporting, managing retained banking responsibilities, liaising with local authorities, supporting sanctioned countries and management of escalations raised by in-country teams and the MSP. Provide financial accounting support to sanctioned/embargoed countries. Contribute to statutory reporting, tax review/filing, cashflow reporting and audit processes. Provide Cash flow information and manage payment runs and debt management processes, and by extension, influencing these processes across the global network. Develop Cash flow forecasting and management and liaise with the central Treasury team. Manage the provision of information to internal / external auditors. Implement and report on the progress of audit recommendations. Identify and challenge issues and bring resolution in relation to financial accounting matters. Relationship and Stakeholder ManagementProvide stakeholder engagement and business partnering for retained financial processes, building strong working relationships with key stakeholders and the MSP to ensure that activities comply with professional accounting standards, technical accounting issues and other external reporting requirements in British Council. Sector/subject expertiseProvide guidance and advice on professional accounting standards, technical accounting issues and other external reporting requirements in British Council. Liaise with other specialist finance functions such as Tax, Treasury, Finance Policy, and Global Process Owners as needed. Pro-actively identify unusual or complex transactions and recommend appropriate professional accounting treatments. Produce periodic reports relating to financial accounting. Service Improvement Implement new or updated accounting and reporting requirements in line with professional accounting standards; communicate change effectively with internal stakeholders, ensure appropriate training. Work alongside the transformation team to centralise and move activity to an MSP environment. Implement financial procedures, policies, and systems necessary to meet the organisation’s global reporting. Minimum/essentialRequirements Of The Role:Experience and knowledge of financial control processes and Professional Accounting Standards (including relevant local requirements where applicable) for Commercial and/or Charitable organisations. Good influencing and negotiating experience. ERP experience. DesirableShared Services Operations. Experience of working in international and multi-cultural organisations. Leadership of change projects/initiatives. SAP experience. A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.Equality, Diversity and Inclusion StatementWe are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.Safeguarding StatementThe 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 in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org