Accountant Consultant [Charity sector]

Job Title: Accountant (Charity sector)

Location: UK, remote

Annual fees: £12,000

Hours: 1 day per week on average

Reports to: Chief Executive

About Us

The Brazzaville Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a civil society and non-profit organisation registered by the England and Wales Charity Commission (registration number 1160693). It promotes and supports African initiatives in the following areas:

• conflict prevention and resolution missions with concrete actions such as the Inter-Libyan Dialogue Dakar 1 and the African Mediation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine;
• an environmental protection mission whose flagship actions include the assistance of the creation of the Blue Fund for the Congo Basin (signed in Oyo in 2016) and the support of “Elephant Protection Initiative” in favour of the fight against the ivory trade;
• a major multi-year, multi-disciplinary health initiative in the fight against fake and substandard medicines, which gave rise to the signing of the Lomé Initiative, a multi-country initiative aimed at combatting this scourge.

Role Overview

The accountant will play a critical role in maintaining the foundation’s financial health, ensuring compliance with charity law, and supporting its mission through effective financial management.

You will be responsible for bookkeeping, financial management, and providing insightful financial analysis to support decision-making by senior staff and trustees.

Key Responsibilities

1. Bookkeeping

• Perform regular bookkeeping tasks in a timely manner including:

- Accounting for purchase invoices coding to the correct activity and account code;
- Accounting for income receipts to the correct fund – restricted or unrestricted and account code
- Monthly payroll – and journal to correct activity and account code;
- Monthly pension submissions;
- Accounting for direct card payments;
- bank reconciliations – sterling, Euro and other currencies;
- accounting for accruals and prepayments on a monthly basis;
- regular review of accounting transactions to ensure all transactions tracked correctly;
- proper knowledge and application of fund accounting.

2. Statutory Accounts

• Preparation of Statutory accounts to comply with Charity and Company law
• Preparation of backing documentation for audit purposes;
• Co-ordination with auditors during audit process to ensure necessary adjustments posited correctly where appropriate.

3. Finance Management

• Implement and maintain financial controls to ensure efficiency, stability, and good governance, including record-keeping to provide a clear audit trail.
• Conduct detailed analysis of different charitable activities and funds, managing both restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly management accounts in a timely manner, highlighting significant points and discussing them with senior staff and trustees.
• Monitor financial activity against specific projects and funding streams, providing regular updates and analysis.
• Conduct an annual review of internal controls to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience as an accountant in the charity sector or a similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of charity law, including handling restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.

Desirable Skills

• Experience in preparing financial reports for senior management and trustees.

• Proficiency in Xero accounting software.

• Familiarity with the requirements of funders and the ability to monitor financial activity against specific funding streams.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks with deadlines.

Working conditions

• Contract: Consultant contract with 3-month trial period.
• Remuneration: To be negotiated according to profile and experience.