Finance Assistant

Focus of the Role

The main focus points of the role are to take ownership and ensure accurate transactional data in the accounting ledgers and filing records for TBI and its subsidiaries working within a deadline focused Finance department with complex policy areas that are highly scrutinised.

Key Responsibilities

Know-How:

• Solid understanding of all Institute Finance related policies and procedures
• Apply the relevant accountancy knowledge and experience when assisting
• individuals and teams with Finance related queries
• Proactively contribute to the Finance team taskforce meetings, adding value
• Possess adequate working knowledge of the various Finance systems

Accountability:

• Ensure accuracy in all postings in the accounting system
• Ensure accuracy in communications and paperwork raised
• Proactively follow-up on late submissions and/or incomplete information (eg, unallocated receipts)
• Full ownership of all Finance entries and administration

Responsibility:

• Own your workflow and document processes you manage
• Familairise yourself with the new Finance systems, Institute Polices and legislation requirements that are being introduced
• Proactively look to offer solutions to issues as they arise
• Manage your workload to meet the team deadlines for month end and offer support to other team members if they are struggling
• Ensure timely reconciliations of all TBI bank accounts both UK and overseas including petty cash/foreign currencies/ in country trackers/credit cards/prepaid cards (e.g., Caxton).
• Liaise with bankers for queries, eg, payment queries
• Process supplier invoices in the accounting systems accurately and efficiently including raising purchases orders, check authorisations and prepare payments to suppliers, in accordance with relevant TBI policies & KYC process, payment allocation. Reconcile all supplier accounts regularly.
• Process required payments ensuring correct authorisation
• Ensure all entries are posted with the correct VAT coding
• Check receipts and accurate recording of staff expenses reimbursement in accordance with TBI expenses policy
• Other duties including filing of Financial records/data accurately
• Any reasonable duties required by the Management Accountant and/or senior management team

Judgement:

• Escalate any concerns or risks appropriately (eg, pertaining to an invoice or expense claim) to senior management
• Monitor and be a gate keeper of internal compliance with regards to KYC and other Institute Policies.

Ambition:

• Help shape best practice guidelines and methodology for Finance processes
• Identify areas for cross pillar / department / project collaboration
• Support development of efficiencies and automated solutions for Finance
• Learn more about the work that the Institute undertakes
• Model & maintain TBI Core Values - Courageous, Collaborative & Compassionate

Person Specification

The main focus points of the role are to take ownership and ensure accurate transactional data in the accounting ledgers and filing records for TBI and its subsidiaries working within a deadline focused Finance department with complex policy areas that are highly scrutinised.

Therefore, the successful candidate for the role should be able to display the majority of the following:

• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise against tight deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• A keen interest in our work as an Institute, expansion and sharing of knowledge and personal development 
• A collaborative and supportive team-player, with demonstrable experience in working as part of a team
• Great interpersonal skills - able to establish good cross departmental working relationships
• Well presented, confident candidate who can articulate verbally and by written presentation; ability to express complex ideas in a clear and straightforward manner
• An effective communicator-  with a mature attitude to resolving challenges
• Customer service/experience focused - flexible & adaptable approach
• Great time management skills
• Highly Numerate; possess the relevant accountancy knowledge and experience (breadth and depth)
• Must be able to take ownership and manage their own workflow, using initiative to set their own goals and plan how to achieve them – translate into actions and follow through to completion
• Must appreciate the demands of working within a growing business and remain solutions focused.  This will at times involve taking on unfamiliar tasks and managing their own workloads
• Enthusiastic, self-driven, ambitious and always seeking continuous improvement
• Must be able to demonstrate discretion with sensitive information.

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. It exists to equip political leaders and governments with the tools to create open, inclusive and prosperous societies in a globalised world.

We do this within two connected divisions:

Government Advisory

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It has both non-profit partners and a client base and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

Policy Futures

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas:

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics;
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world.

What we believe in as an organisation:

• Open and Progressive – you’ll believe in the value of teamwork
• Bold and Pragmatic – you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity
• Optimistic Changemakers – you’ll be focused on results

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you're successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.