Islamic Relief Worldwide Financial Business Partner BASE LOCATION: REPORTING TO: LINE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES: London, UK Senior Financial Accounting manager None PURPOSE OF DIVISION: The Finance and Services Division provides accurate and punctual financial management, reports and forecasts on the organisation s income and expenditure. The division empowers and builds the capacity of the field offices and Partners to manage funds effectively and efficiently, meeting international standards and the standards of the IR donor agencies. This is achieved through both organisational and individual learning, and through an organisation-wide system of development and deployment. In addition, this division maximises economies of scale by developing and maintaining strategic procurement, logistics and asset and facilities management functions. It ensures compliance to any legislative requirements, and it provides strategic and day-to-day legal advice to the organisation. The ICT-related services ensure that the development, utilisation and maintenance of information systems help the organisation reach current and future strategic objectives. JOB PURPOSE: 1. To ensure Finance service delivery requirements are met. 2. To ensure the accuracy of activities connected to UK ledgers, income, expenses, reporting, and budgets. 3. To ensure the UK adheres to policies & procedures, an effective internal control environment is operated. 4. To prepare and explain regular management reports. 1
Position of Financial Business Partner within IR Structure of Department Financial Business Partner (UK SBU) 2
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Regular liaison and engagement with across the IR Offices. SCOPE AND LIMITS OF AUTHORITY Scope of the Role: Reporting to the Senior Financial Accounting Manager The role requires the ability to take informed decisions for meeting reporting requirements. The role has the autonomy to design and develop the initiatives to meet stakeholder requirements and to plan their own and coordinate with the financial, regional and Donor compliance teams. The Financial Business Partner has support responsibility to evaluate, report and capacity build UK operations. Ensuring UK offices maintain, operate an effective control environment. Minimises the risk of fraud, corruption and bribery. Ensure Policies Procedures are adhered to. Responsibility for Resources: Has responsibility for resources within own remit. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES The job holder is accountable for fulfilling his or her roles and responsibilities in line with Islamic values and principles of fairness, humanity, honesty, respect and fair treatment of his/her colleagues and staff.. 1. Manage the financial service delivery. To ensure, coordinate with team members for the effective, efficient service delivery to the UK in accordance with the service level agreement. To understand the UK business to forward think the financial implications and advise Senior Finance Managers and UK management / staff accordingly. To minimise the risk of Fraud, corruption and bribery in the UK environment ensuring an effective Internal control environment. 2. Ensure the accurate and timely coordination of provision of financial management information to stakeholders. To ensure monthly financial management reports are prepared to agreed timeframes in coordination with the financial accounting Manager. To support finance team in the preparations of the year end statutory accounts To support budget holders in understanding and reviewing results of financial reports. To be able to review budgets v actual expenditures and to be able to clearly interpret the results to understand the UK business and its financial impacts. To be able to advise UK staff/ management accordingly. To liaise with the UK Program Manager in Lower Marsh and with the Donor compliance, 3
financial accounting and the regional Field teams To communicate projects status to the UK Program division To ensure the accuracy of income and expenditure through monthly analysis ensuring effective liaison with donor support teams, having effective understanding of Gift Aid. To review intercompany ledgers and maintain accurate intercompany ledger relating to intercompany ledger postings. To be responsible for the custody of UK credit card and the petty cash safe, ensuring regular reviews and minimise risk. To be responsible for approving payments and general journals To keep a regular update on gift aids claims and to ensure that the amounts are correctly captured and claims are made on time. To analyse financial management information, provide interpretation, narrative, raise questions, and identify information needs to develop and support financial decisionmaking. To support improving and updating the fixed asset register and depreciation accounting process. Overseeing activities connected to ledgers, income and expenses. 3. To support the department and its wider stakeholders To ensure and proactively promote and foster a culture in which Islamic principles, values and approaches which are adopted by Islamic Relief are consistently respected, applied and complied with in the delivery of the country / division / unit objectives and in the conduct of its employees. To ensure and proactively support and coach colleagues to be sensitive to relevant Islamic values and principles in the delivery of Organisational Objectives Responsible for maintaining own professional development. To comply with IRW s policies and procedures in undertaking the above roles and responsibilities. To undertake any other reasonable duties that are consistent with the job and at its level of responsibility as and when required by the Senior Financial Accounting Manager. 4
PERSON SPECIFICATION It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and empathy with the Islamic values and principles as well as commitment to IRW s vision and mission. This section should detail the requirements of the role in the following sections: Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications Degree in Accountancy/Finance Immediate Level Qualified studying final level of ACCA/CIMA/ICAEW professional qualifications Evidence of continuing professional development and successful application of best practice in accounting and finance. Thorough understanding of donor contractual invoicing; Financial accounting management and management reporting. Experience of donor, field office accounting; management accounts, budgets and year end financial reporting. Well organised and efficient ability to manage competing deadlines within set time constraints. Advance Excel skills; in designing and manipulating reports. Experience of providing both challenge and support to a range of stakeholders including non financial audiences at all levels in the organisation. Ability to exercise judgment and take decisions on unexpected problems. Strong written communication skills, able to prepare written procedures, reports and deliver internal presentations. Verbal skills to communicate with all levels in an organisation and explain technical or complex financial aspects in a wide range of situations. Experience Previous exposure and experience of accounting, financial compliance. Production and presentation of management reports and budgets. Good all round business acumen and an understanding of the role of the Finance department in adding value to operational decision making. Ability to drive through continuous improvement Ability to work with diverse teams as part of a matrix structure Experience in operating and extracting data from complex accounting systems. Previous exposure and experience of donor financial compliance. Staff supervision experience Experience of budgeting for project activities, monitor and report on financial activities and undertaken appropriate analysis 5
Personal Qualities Excellent Teamwork to cooperatively and productively work with others as part of a matrix structure and provide support to all departmental Managers and their PAs. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail, with a commitment to the production of work of a consistently high standard Strong time management skills, adept at working calmly under pressure to meet deadlines Flexible and proactive approach and positive attitude. Experience of managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines. Able to organise and prioritise work of direct reports, be self-motivated and able to work on own initiative. Signed by: (Direct Line Manager) Signed by: (Divisional Director) 6