Finance Assistant

Focus of the Role

As TBI scales up our work, we’re looking for an additional Finance Assistant for the Africa region (London based). You’ll take ownership of ensuring accurate transactional data in our accounting ledgers and filing records for TBI and its subsidiaries. You’ll be part of our busy and friendly Finance team, that supports interesting (and sometimes complex) not-for-profit operations across multiple countries.

Come and work for a growing, dynamic organisation alongside a group of smart, supportive and committed people. Due to the international growth of the organisation, there will be continuous development and future promotional opportunities.

Job Introduction

TBI’s Institute Resources Team supports and helps pave the way for the Institute to deliver its mission. We are comprised of the Legal and Risk, Finance, IT, Ops & Security and People Teams.

We develop and deliver policies and processes that drive our working practices, mirror our values, and that are aligned with our strategic objectives. Ensuring that our organisational capabilities equip us to meet current and future challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• 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, e.g. payment queries
• Process supplier invoices in the accounting systems accurately and efficiently, 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
• Manage your own workload to meet team deadlines for month end and offer support to other team members
• Check receipts and accurate recording of staff expenses reimbursement in accordance with TBI expenses policy
• Other duties including filing of Financial records/data accurately, and any reasonable duties required by the Management Accountant and/or senior management team

Person Specification

• Fundamental knowledge and experience of general accounting – e.g. Debit vs Credit entries, Purchase Ledger, Reconciliations
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills. Experience of working with Sage 200 a plus.
• Strong attention to detail
• A finance-related qualification is advantageous (study support available if required)
• Strong organisational skills, and proven ability to prioritise and deliver against tight deadlines
• A collaborative and supportive team-player, with demonstrable experience in working as part of a team
• Great interpersonal skills and clear communicator - able to establish good cross departmental working relationships and great customer service
• Enthusiastic, self-driven, ambitious and always seeking continuous improvement. Comfortable taking on unfamiliar tasks
• A background working with international currencies or have worked for an international organisation would be advantageous
• Demonstrate discretion working with sensitive information
• A keen interest in our work and supporting the Institute reach its vision

Due to the focus of the role, there will be potential for some international travel.

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

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 works with a variety of partners 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. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• 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 Changemaker: 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.