Finance Manager

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global not-for-profit organisation, operating in more than 40 countries across five continents. Our teams include political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages and are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

The Finance Manager will play a critical role in providing financial insights and ensuring compliance across finance and tax.

The role will be responsible for overseeing the central management accounting function, owning key areas of the balance sheet reconciliations, supporting the account’s payable function, and ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting with strong financial control.

The role will also support the Head of Tax and International Finance across TBI’s Tax requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Management accounts:

• Support the month-end process including management accounts, accruals, prepayments, payroll, and reviewing cash reconciliations. Find efficiencies to reduce the month-end close.

• Own the balance sheet reconciliation process, ensuring accurate and timely reconciliations.

• Work closely with the Accounts Payable function and support the use of technology and AI to ensure accuracy.

• Support FP&A with variance and performance analysis and assist with budgeting & forecasting.

• Day-to-day oversight of project cash requirements, including being a key point of contact with external stakeholders and managing the approval of payments.

• Actively engaging and communicating with the senior finance team.

• Maintain strong financial control processes, ensuring compliance with internal policies and control frameworks with the central and regional finance teams.

Tax Compliance & reporting:

• Prepare the quarterly UK VAT return for review by Head of Tax.

• Work with AP and Workday teams to introduce improvements to the process of VAT handling within TBI to increase efficiency of VAT compliance processes.

• Support the Head of Tax with collaboration between tax and finance, including VAT recovery and cost centre coding.

• Support the use of technology and AI within the VAT processes where practical.

• Preparation of finance information suitable for supporting tax compliance processes such as annual corporate income tax returns prepared by external advisors. Including analysis of sensitive spend categories.

• Prepare the Corporation Tax, WHT and VAT balance sheet reconciliations.

• Prepare the Tax note in the consolidated and UK financial statements.

• Prepare the local monthly tax calculation.

• Support the Head of Tax with the tax timetable and own the production of the tax accounts.

• Develop practical documentation, process notes, and controls to improve resilience and reduce reliance on individual knowledge.

Financial reporting:

• Support the Head of Central Finance on the preparation of the consolidated group accounts, subsidiary accounts, managing the reporting timetable and the external audit.

• Support the intercompany process and reconciliations. Help build robust rules around legal entity discipline including which entity incur costs, how those costs are allocated, how the recharge process works and how transfer pricing then applies.

• Support the Head of Tax on transfer pricing processes and preparing for the new UK transfer pricing information requirements (International Controlled Transactions Schedule).

• Ensure up to date and accurate technical accounting compliance with accounting standards. Support the Head of Central Finance to develop new policies, process notes, and training when there are changes to accounting standards.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may be expected within the scope of the post.

Person Specification

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change aims to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive, and prosperous societies in an interconnected world. We do this by developing policies and advising governments.

This is a role in a fast-paced team, working within complex divisions that are highly scrutinised. Therefore, the successful candidate for the role should be able to display most of the following:

• ACA or International Equivalent qualification. Trained at a professional service firm.
• Relevant experience in all areas of consolidated financial statements, reporting under UK GAAP (FRS 102) and IFRS.
• Experience in preparing statutory financial statements and managing external audits.
• 5+ years of experience in finance or accounting roles, with a focus on financial reporting, management accounting and tax.
• Some technical understanding across UK and international tax is desirable.
• Experience working in a global organisation with exposure to multiple currencies and international operations.
• Proactively contributes to the implementation of best practice guidelines and methodology for Finance policies and processes.
• Proficiency in financial modelling and analysis using excel and financial software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

• An understanding of banking systems.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in financial reporting and analysis.
• Must be able to take ownership and manage their own workflow with minimal input from management, set their own goals and plan how to achieve them – translate into actions and follow through to completion, prioritise against tight deadlines.
• Takes an active interest in the work that the Institute undertakes.

Closing Date: