Programme Accountant

30 April 2008

Job Title: Programme Accountant
Team: Programme Accounting
Program: Finance and Accounting
Recruitment reference: FAP/08/01

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Advert 

Reporting to the Financial Controller, you will set up and lead a new, highly motivated team providing support to non financial management such as Senior Directors and Programme Directors on budgetary matters and financial reporting. Experienced in Sun Accounts and customer orientated, you’re a natural communicator able to clearly explain financial issues and can demonstrate excellent leadership skills.

Job Description

Job Title: Programme Accountant
Programme:Finance and Accounting
Cluster: Resources
Reports to: Financial Controller
Responsible for: Seven Programme Accounting Support Staff responsible for providing financial recording and reporting for Regional Programmes (x2), Communications Cluster, Campaigns and International Cluster, IMP, IFP and Resources Cluster.

Job Purpose:   

Under the direction of the Financial Controller to lead the team of staff providing support to
Senior Directors and Programme Directors on budget preparation, project budgets, and programme
financial reporting. Coordinating the work of these staff to maintain and develop the overall
financial reporting of the IS. Work closely with the Financial and International Accountant to
provide financial information for the clusters and continually improve financial information to the
IS, AI movement and other stakeholders. Provide direct support to the OSG cluster.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Coordinate the work of the Programme Accounting team and provide support for all staff reporting to the post holder
  2. Co-ordinate and participate in the recruitment, induction, training, supervision, assessment and appraisal of the staff and ensuring health and safety.
  3. Develop, agree and implement suitable standards and systems for the planning of all areas of the team’s work and for reporting on the performance.
  4. Coordinate and manage the daily operation of the Purchase and Travel Ledgers, and ascertain finely recording, disbursement, and reasonable accuracy in reporting.
  5. Contribute to the development and maintenance of accounting systems and procedures to enable the development of management information including evaluation and monitoring of projects and their effectiveness and efficiency.
  6. Contribute to the overall development and integration of the work of the Financial Accounting Programme, the achievement of targets within the Program and Operational Programmes by generating and considering ideas for work improvement on a continuous basis.
  7. Share skills with the Financial Accountant, the International Accountant and the rest of the team and contribute in the identification of training needs arising from development.
  8. Ensure the achievement of effective budgetary control by communicating financial reports to the cluster in an understandable manner
  9. Ensure the submission of travel reimbursement claims and reimbursements are made within the agreed timelines and in line with current travel policy.

Person Specification

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Experience of supervising staff and an understanding of the issues involved in staff supervision.
  • Excellent ability to plan and prioritise work, including when under pressure and to ensure dead lines are met.
  • Excellent ability and proven track record in setting goals and priorities, train, motivate, delegate, and monitor progress of staff and work.
  • Excellent ability to work cooperatively, internally and externally, with others, including people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Experience of producing management accounts and other financial information to suit different audiences.
  • Formal accounting qualification and understanding of relevant standards and legislation.
  • Experience of developing and implementing accounting procedures.
  • Excellent computer skills mainly computerized accounts, spreadsheet models.
  • Excellent ability to explain complex financial information, issues and ideas to simply and accurately to a variety of audiences both orally and in writing.
  • Experience of working in a team and understanding of the importance of efficient communications for sharing information and providing cover for others when necessary.
  • Understanding of equal opportunities, cultural diversity and gender issues as well as a commitment to apply relevant policies.

Main terms and conditions

Salary  Under review
Hours  35 hours per week
Location  Clerkenwell, central London 
Contract duration  Permanent contract
Holidays  Full time staff receive 27 days per annum plus one Amnesty International grace day and statutory and national public holidays .
Office hours  09.30 - 17.30 or 10.00 - 18.00 by arrangement
Relocation  Relocation assistance will be available for staff members (and their dependents) recruited from over 80 km/50 miles from the International Secretariat office in which the post is based.
Life insurance  4 x gross salary 
Travel loan  Interest free travel loan for bus, underground, or rail travel to work (no qualifying period)
Pension  You are encouraged to join the Amnesty International Superannuation Scheme.  This is a defined contribution to which Amnesty International contributes 6% of gross salary. 
Cultural Diversity  All staff will work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.
Health and Safety  All staff are required to comply with Amnesty International's policy and rules relating to Health and Safety and its security regulations at work.