Financial Accountant

About the Role

Global co-ordination and support of audits; assist in the production of the group statutory accounts; oversee all elements of Tax; oversee the terrorist financing check; responsibility for month end postings and balance sheet reconciliations; support the procurement function in the UK.

Key Working Relationships

The role will be heavily focused on supporting the delivery of audit requirements whilst providing a range of financial accounting services, working closely with the Financial Controller.

The key working relationships are with all UK and International finance colleagues.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Audit/Statutory Accounts

• Support in the co-ordination of the group audit and prepare various schedules and deliverables required for the completion of the annual statutory accounts ensuring compliance with the Charity Commission’s standard of recommended practice (SORP) and FRS 102.
• Be a key contact for the external auditors and work with the Financial Controller to ensure submission of audit requests. 
• Support donor audits as required e.g. USAID.
• Address group audit points arising from internal, external and organisational audits.

Accounting, Controls and Quality Assurance

• Responsibility for month end postings including but not limited to; payroll, timesheets, VAT and income.
• Ensure the integrity of the UK financial accounts by supporting in the completion of monthly checks.
• Support in the preparation and review of timely balance sheet reconciliations.

TAX

• Providing support and guidance on all Tax related matters including VAT, Gift Aid and Corporation Tax.
• Preparation and submission of the quarterly VAT return.
• Assisting budget holders on any VAT related queries.
• Key relationship manager for VAT helpline.

Anti-Terrorist Finance checks

• Coordination of the group’s Anti-Terrorist Financing control checks for organisations.
• Performing the scheduled and ad-hoc checks.
• Review control results and escalating suspected hits.
• Monitoring RCO and UK compliance, following up on non-compliance.

Procurement

• With support from the Financial Controller maintain oversight of the procurement function in the UK ensuring that procurements are compliant with policy.
• Assist stakeholders with procurement queries and support with tenders where appropriate.
• Responsibility for maintaining the preferred and retained suppliers list. 

Line Management

• Provide line management to the UK Finance officer.
• Manage their performance and support their development through regular catch ups and quarterly reviews.

Other

• Contribute to continuous process improvements in areas of responsibility.
• To support with other financial duties particularly during periods of high demand as directed by the Financial Controller or the Chief Finance Officer.

PERSON PROFILE

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

 Essential

• Qualified or part-qualified ACA or ACCA
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant finance role.
• Good understanding of the Charities SORP.
• Working knowledge of VAT.
• Experience of dealing with external audits.
• Ability to work in a highly pressured professional environment, keep organised and manage multiple demands on time.
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills with ability to coach/train others
• Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts in straightforward ways and across language and cultural barriers
• A commitment to Practical Action’s mission and values.
• A commitment and enthusiasm for personal and team learning and development

Desirable

• Prior knowledge and experience of the International Development and / or Charity Sectors.
• Previous experience of Dynamics 365 Business Central

Why join us?

The opportunity to work for an organisation that is making a positive difference to the lives of people worldwide, a friendly and supportive culture, working with values-driven and highly engaged colleagues, work-life balance, and flexible working – these are just some of the reasons we think Practical Action is a great place to work.

Our modern open plan offices are located in the centre of Rugby near to the train station.

In addition, we offer the following benefits:

• Flexible working/hours – full-time roles are contracted at 35 hours per week.
• It is our practice normally that we operate a hybrid policy, where flexible working hours are enabled as well as remote working (between 6-15 days per month in office).
• 27 days holiday in addition to public holidays which increases with the length of service.
• A pension scheme that new employees can join from day one of employment – (rules apply) employer contributes 10.5% of salary and the employee contributes 5%.
• Life assurance (3 x annual salary).
• Cycle to Work scheme.

About us

We are an international development organisation putting ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world.

We help people find solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems. Challenges made worse by catastrophic climate change and persistent gender inequality. We work with communities to develop ingenious, lasting, and locally owned solutions for agriculture, water and waste management, climate resilience, and clean energy. And we share what works with others, so answers that start small can grow big.

We’re a global change-making group. The group consists of a UK-registered charity with community projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, an independent development publishing company, and a technical consulting service. We combine these specialisms to multiply our impact and help shape a world that works better for everyone.

Additional information

Practical Action believes that having a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture based on respect will enable us to be an effective organisation. We seek to create an inclusive workplace in which people are accepted as individuals, regardless of their differences and where they feel their contribution is valued.  Practical Action is an equal opportunities employer, and we encourage applications from under-represented groups.

We stay committed to cultivating an inclusive and diverse working environment and believe that people from different backgrounds or cultures give us different perspectives, and the more perspectives we have, the more successful we will be. By building a culture where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued we give everyone working with us the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Practical Action is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and as such candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including criminal checks and terrorist financing.

The successful applicant must have the pre-existing right to both live and work in the UK.

Closing date for applications: Friday 8th March 2024

Interviews: First round interviews will take place in the week commencing 11th March 2024.

HOW TO APPLY

 If you want to work for a charity with significant people ambitions, then we would like to hear from you. To to view the full recruitment pack, please view this on our own website Practical Action - Careers.  To apply please submit a copy of your CV plus a supporting statement that describes your suitability for the role.

(Due to the high volume of applications which we receive, please note, that if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume you have not been successful.)