We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.
Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.
Location: United Arab Emirates
Contract: Hourly Paid (Non-Permanent Worker)
Start Date: as soon as possible
Company: British Council
Role Purpose
The Accountant will be 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 post will be part of the Financial Accounting Team supporting Gulf Cluster, handling countries UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
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 / Financial Controller with provision of information to internal / external auditors.
Assist in the implementation of audit recommendations.
Complete daily cash reconciliations.
Responsible for ensuring integrity of cash collection process.
Responsible for ensuring integrity of customers refund process.
Regional and Functional Team Working:
Ensure compliance with treasury policy.
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.
Person Specification
Language requirements
Qualifications
Key relationships
Regional Financial Accounting team
Shared Services Centre
Corporate Finance
Bank relationship manager
Country admin team
Country Customer Services team
Role Specific Knowledge & Experience
Role specific skills
British Council Core Skills
Analysing Data and Problems Level 1: Is systematic – Breaks down problems into a list of tasks to be done and decides on appropriate action.
Communicating and Influencing Level 2: Relates communications to circumstances – Displays good listening, writing, and speaking skills, setting out logical arguments clearly and adapting language and form of communication to meet the needs of different people/audiences.
Managing risks Level 1: Follows good practices – Demonstrates understanding of risk management policies and procedures and record of following them.
Planning and Organising Level 1: Is methodical – Able to plan own work over short timescales for routine or familiar tasks and processes.
Managing People Level 2: Supervises a small team – Supervises a small team of people doing similar jobs to deliver short term tasks to agreed quality and time standards.
Financial Reporting and Compliance Level 1: Understand and apply general compliance standards. Understand core elements of financial statements and reports.
Professional Accounting Standards Level 1: Apply accounting principles to accurately record financial transactions and maintain appropriate supporting documentation.
Transactional Accounting and Closing Level 1: Understand and apply the British Council's accounting practices. Understand and apply account reconciliations.
Highly organised and deadline oriented.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Further Information
Number of positions :01
Pay Band: H/4-ARE
Payment terms - Hourly paid rate
Contract type- Hourly paid Contract
Contract duration- 6 Months
Other requirements: Selected candidate will undergo appropriate police checks and must obtain three satisfactory references.
Application Closing date: 24 April 2024
Note: -
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.
