Accountant - British Council

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 benefits for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence, and connections they are looking for to realize 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 recognized 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.

Accountant – Ghana, and Cameroon

Pay band: 4/H

Post Location: Accra, Ghana

Department: Finance

Contract type: Locally Engaged

Duration: 1- Year Fixed Term Contract (with the possibility of renewal)     

Role Purpose:

The post holder will be responsible for the end-to-end accounting process in Ghana and Cameroon including month, quarter, and year-end close. The role holder will ensure consistent, accurate, and robust financial accounting experience in line with generally accepted accounting principles and corporate policies. This is a supporting role in the Financial Controlling and Accounting process.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role:

The Accountant Ghana will:

• complete all financial tasks required as part of the period-end closing activities, supporting the Senior Accountants, budget managers, and SBU leads on the accurate and complete financial close process.
• provide support as required on accounting transactions and adjustments (accruals, deferrals, and provisions), including Intercompany accounting.
• responsible for reviewing and scanning invoices within the delegated Category and thresholds, ensuring invoices are supported by relevant supporting documentation.
• be responsible for the processing of approved off system payment and refund 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 the preparation of local Tax submissions and other statutory returns i.e. Working on remittances of VAT, PAYE, WHT, and Social Security deductions monthly.
• Work with regional and functional teams to contribute to ensuring policies, procedures, and systems are delivered with integrity.
• Work closely and effectively as part of the regional and global finance teams.

Requirements

Essential:

• Fluency in written and spoken English (Shortlisted candidates will either demonstrate they have met the required standard through the presentation of an agreed English language certificate or will be required to take the APTIS test and demonstrate a B1 level of English proficiency).
• HND Accounting/BSc. Accounting, or bachelor’s degree in finance-related areas.

Desirable:

• Fully qualified with a recognized accounting board, e.g. ACCA, ACA, etc
• Experience working with SAP
• Experience of the same role in a not-for-profit sector.

Role Specific Skills

Required candidate will need to possess:

• Minimum of 2 years experience in an active and challenging accounting environment with proven and demonstrable technical accounting skills
• The above-average user of Microsoft Excel
• Experience with an ERP system.
• Highly organized and deadline-oriented.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

Core Skills:

Analyzing Data and Problems: Breaks down problems into a list of tasks to be done and decides on appropriate action.

Communicating and Influencing: Displays good listening, writing, and speaking skills, setting out logical arguments clearly, and adapting language and forms of communication to meet the needs of different people/audiences.

Managing risks: Demonstrates understanding of risk management policies and procedures and record of following them.

Planning and Organising: Able to plan own work over short timescales for routine or familiar tasks and processes.

Financial Reporting and Compliance: Understand and apply general compliance standards. Understand core elements of financial statements and reports

Professional Accounting Standards: Apply accounting principles to accurately record financial transactions and maintain appropriate supporting documentation.

Transactional Accounting and Closing: Understand and apply the British Council's accounting practices. Understand and apply account reconciliations.

Additional Information: All applicants should have a pre-existing legal status to live and work in Ghana. The British Council will not facilitate/sponsor visa applications and work permits.

If you have any problems with your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org