Finance Manager at Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)

To play a key role in managing and delivering the BHC finance portfolio, dealing with a range of corporate returns and providing support to the Head of Financial and Human Resources and the Director of Corporate Services in maintaining high-level financial performance in BHC. Financial services are provided to a range of UK Government departments working on Kenya and Somalia.  The successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of finance objectives and processes aimed at providing a high quality finance service and accurate forecasting.

Roles and responsibilities

Working closely with the Head of Financial and Human resources, the key focus of the role will be:-

• Ensuring correct implementation of Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other UK Government Departments’ financial policies while best meeting internal customers’ needs in a fair and effective manner.
• Ensuring successful day-to-day operation of the Finance team within the High Commission’s Corporate Services and more widely within the Corporate Services operation within Kenya and in support of Somalia, including working with colleagues in Pretoria and Manila on finance processes.

The main duties include:

Finance

• Quality control the preparation of payroll for over 200 staff for checking by Head of finance and human resources to meet monthly KPIs
• Oversee preparation of tax reports for the Kenya Revenue Authority
• Ensure relevant FCO Finance and Prism Compliance Indicators are met and the indicators remain green
• Assist with the implementation of changes to cross-government financial policies and procedures to continually improve the efficiency of the financial/accounting operation
• Ensure essential Prism procurement housekeeping is carried out and accruals are effectively managed within the procurement process.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Coordination of budget monitoring and reporting at post , ensuring relevant FPCI targets are met
• Preparation of monthly financial performance report and presentation to budget holders
• Monitoring recharges to other government departments
• Provide suggestions and recommendations for improved financial results based on monthly financial performance reports.
• Identify problems and review actions needed to improve or correct processes and routines at post.
• Preparing reports on local expenditure for Corporate Services Director and other Teams
• Undertake monthly forecasting and budget amendment
• Manage BHC local budget ensuring accurate budget profiling and that delegated and central budgets are carefully controlled to ensure an outturn within the range of 99-100% of allocation.
• Tracking foreign currency forecasts and re-allocation of budget by currency to take account of USD and sterling spend (on credit cards)

Accounts

• Liaise with other UK government departments on issues that may arise and respond to queries
• Ensure  compliance with FCO accounting procedures and correct charging of other government departments;
• Preparation of One HMG change request for costings for other government departments
• Management of other Departments’ charging in line with the UK Memoranda of Understanding
• Oversee the raising of invoices for staff debts, manual invoices and the preparation of journals to correct mischargings
• Follow up on refunds of purchase advances, travel advances and payment of debit memos to ensure swift payment and reconciliation
• Conduct accounts filing system to ensure it is up to date at all times and ensure good record keeping

Management

• Line management of 2 A2 Finance staff.
• Continuously review business processes and resource management to identify new ways of working and deliver a more effective, efficient and professional operation.
• Training & Development of staff within the team, mentoring and coaching of other BHC staff on Prism  functions.
• Providing cover during absences as necessary for the other Corporate Services team members including the Head of Financial and Human resources

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

2 Finance staff. Local budget of Over £1M arrayed in up to 3 currencies

• Certified Public Accountant registered with the Institute of Public Accountants of Kenya/ Chartered Accountant registered with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Finance/Accounting) .
• Complies with CPD requirements of their professional body
• Demonstrates understanding of budget and risk managements
• Minimum 5 years work experience in a large institution.