Head of Statutory and Tax Compliance

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.

British Council Pay band 8

Location : Delhi, India
Department : Finance and Corporate Services
Contract type : Indefinite Contract

Closing Date: 30th July :59 UK Time.

Interviews dates will be further confirmed.

This role is open for applications from employees who are currently located and have the right to work in India. You must have the legal right to work in India at the time of application. 

There is no relocation or sponsorship support and the successful candidate will remain in their current location/entity’

British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview. 

Role purpose

This role oversees financial accounting activities for the British Council, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in financial reporting. Responsibilities include managing retained financial processes for P2P, O2C, R2R, and CLM, leading a team of financial controllers across multiple locations, and ensuring compliance with accounting practices and corporate policies.

The role also involves improving communication across operational areas and with the MSP, collaborating with Group Controllership for continuous improvement, and challenging senior stakeholders to ensure accurate financial results. Additionally, the role provides high-level financial accounting advice and leads the provision of specialist retained financial services.

Role context

This new role is part of the transformation of Professional Services and the global finance team, involving the transition of transactional finance processes to an external MSP. It is a generic profile for positions in the Process Controllership team within the Finance Centre of Excellence (CoE) and in-country Controllership teams.

The CoE Controllership team will provide specialized services across P2P, O2C, R2R, and CLM, with finance support requests made through regionally aligned Business Partners. Responsibilities include payment run review and approvals, non-automated payments processing, tax rate validation, procurement card administration, debt management control, journal review and approval, balance sheet reconciliations, month-end processes, tax investigation support, intercompany issues, cash flow forecasting, trapped cash management, and support on Treasury and banking issues.

In-country positions focus on high-risk and complex finance requirements, statutory and tax reporting, and finance support to sanctioned/embargoed countries. These roles may also support CoE activities where capacity allows and there is no tax/status exposure.

Main accountabilities

Leadership:

Provide leadership and people management, embodying British Council values and EDI in daily interactions. Ensure professionalism and client/customer needs are prioritized, promoting financial insight and discipline. Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement, sharing experiences across the unit and wider organization.

Financial Management:

Collaborate with the MSP to ensure accurate and timely financial accounts. Lead retained financial processes for P2P, O2C, R2R, and CLM, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Manage in-country specific activities, including statutory/tax reporting and banking responsibilities. Contribute to statutory reporting, tax review/filing, cashflow reporting, and audit processes. Ensure global financial compliance, implementing key performance indicators for controls and compliance. Manage cash flow information, payment runs, debt management, and cash flow forecasting. Provide information to internal/external auditors and implement audit recommendations.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management:

Engage with stakeholders and business partners, building strong relationships to ensure compliance with accounting standards and reporting requirements. Provide guidance on professional accounting standards, technical accounting issues, and external reporting requirements. Liaise with specialist finance functions as needed.

Service Improvement:

Develop, manage, and execute plans for implementing new or updated accounting and reporting requirements. Communicate changes effectively and provide appropriate training. Work with the transformation team to centralize activity to an MSP environment, ensuring implementation of necessary financial procedures, policies, and systems for global reporting.

Role Specific Skills

Strong Financial Reporting, Accounting, Closing and Compliance skills. Excellent IT skills and proficient in Excel. Effective communication and influencing skills, able to relay complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way. Highly organised and deadline oriented. Building relationships at all levels of the organisation. Flexibility, independence, and initiative to perform successfully in a rapidly changing environment.

Role specific knowledge and experience

Minimum/essential

Several active years of financial controllership and related experience. Good understanding of financial control processes and Professional Accounting Standards (including local requirements where applicable) for Commercial and/or Charitable organisations. Track record of managing key finance function and leading an efficient, innovative and result oriented team. 6 Strong influencing and negotiating experience. ERP experience.

Desirable

Shared Services Operations. Experience of working in international and multi-cultural organisations. Leadership of change projects/initiatives. SAP experience

Education

Higher education – Degree level

Certification and Professional Qualifications

Qualified accountant with at least 3 years of post-qualification experience.

Language Requirements

The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

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