Accountant

Role Purpose:

• This role supports the financial accounting activities for the British Council Thailand and works closely with the Managed Service Provider (MSP) to ensure financial transactions and accounting activities are completed correctly, accurately and in a timely manner.
• The role provides effective financial accounting and administrative support for local business operations and retained in-country finance activities
• The role supports compliance with local statutory, tax and regulatory requirements and contributes to the integrity of financial records and controls

Role Context

The East Asia region is of strategic importance to the British Council, with Thailand operating through multiple legal entities and supporting a broad portfolio of business activities. The Thailand Finance team works closely with regional finance colleagues and the MSP to deliver high quality financial accounting, reporting and control processes.
This role forms part of the Thailand Finance team and supports retained finance activities that require local knowledge, regulatory understanding and engagement with local stakeholders. The role contributes to statutory compliance, tax administration, audit support and other finance operational activities retained within country.
The role regularly interacts with:

• Managed Service Provider (MSP)
• Thailand Finance team
• Strategic Business Units and operational teams
• Regional and Global Controllership teams
• Internal and external auditors
• Tax advisors and local tax authorities
• Banking and other external service providers

Main accountabilities

Finance and Resource Management

• Work closely with the MSP and Thailand Finance team to support retained financial processes, ensuring financial records are accurate, complete and compliant with British Council policies and accounting standards.
• Support financial month-end and year-end activities, including reconciliations, financial reporting requirements and completion of assigned pre-closing activities.
• Assist in maintaining strong controls over financial transactions and accounting records, escalating issues and exceptions to appropriate stakeholders
• Support statutory compliance, tax administration and regulatory reporting requirements in accordance with local legislation and British Council policies.
• Contribute to the preparation of schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation and management information required by internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with providing information and documentation to internal and external auditors and support implementation of audit recommendations where required.
• Maintain appropriate documentation, records management and other finance administrative processes in line with corporate requirements.

Customer Support

• Respond to finance-related enquiries from internal customers and stakeholders within agreed service levels.
• Support operational teams by providing accurate financial information and guidance within area of responsibility.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Develop effective working relationships with business teams, the MSP and external stakeholders to support efficient delivery of retained finance activities.
• Communicate proactively with relevant stakeholders to resolve accounting, compliance and operational issues in a timely manner.

Managing Self

• Plan and prioritise own workload to ensure responsibilities are completed accurately and within agreed timescales.
• Maintain high standards of financial discipline, professionalism and compliance with British Council policies, values and behaviours

Role specific knowledge and experience:

Minimum/Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree majoring in Accounting is preferred
• Proven experience in accounting, finance operations or financial reporting.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and financial control processes.
• Experience supporting tax, compliance, audit or statutory reporting activities.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience using ERP or finance systems.
• Ability to work accurately under pressure and manage competing priorities

Desirable Requirements

• Studying towards or holding a recognised accounting qualification would be advantageous
• Experience working in a multinational or shared services environment.
• Knowledge of Thai tax and statutory requirements.
• Experience using SAP
• Experience working with external auditors and government authorities

Language Requirements

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