Senior Financial Controller

This role is responsible for statutory reporting, tax compliance, audit, and financial risk management for the British Council’s operations in Pakistan. The position ensures the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements, tax filings, and regulatory reports. It manages local tax matters, advises business and finance teams on regulatory requirements, coordinates with external tax advisors and authorities, and monitors changes in the tax and accounting environment. The role proactively identifies and manages financial and tax risks to safeguard the organisation’s interests.

Acting as a key finance partner, the postholder oversees financial accounting activities with the Retained Shared Service Center (RSSC) across Procure-to-Pay (P2P), Order-to-Cash (O2C), Record-to-Report (R2R), and cash and liquidity management. They ensure accurate reporting to the UK Group and external auditors. Leading and mentoring the Pakistan financial control team, the role drives tax compliance, IFRS reporting, local cash flow reporting, and enforces effective financial controls aligned with accounting standards and corporate policies.

The position focuses on managing high-risk and complex finance activities within the country operations while supporting monthly financial close and compliance processes. The postholder contributes to the overall Finance strategy and promotes a unified Finance culture by collaborating closely with business leaders, senior Finance teams, Group Tax, RSSC, Regional Finance, Centers of Excellence, Global Process Owners, Treasury, audit and compliance teams, and local tax authorities. This role requires a proactive, strategic, commercially aware, and detail-oriented finance professional with strong communication skills.

Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and financial management for the Pakistan finance function, including people management, coaching, and promoting British Council values such as equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), professionalism, financial discipline, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure accurate and timely financial accounting across P2P, O2C, R2R, and cash and liquidity management in coordination with RSSC.
- Oversee complex local statutory and tax reporting, e-invoicing, banking responsibilities, cash flow forecasting, audit processes, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Collaborate with Group Tax, external tax advisors, Treasury, and local authorities to manage tax matters, financial compliance, audit recommendations, and escalations.
- Act as a key finance business partner and subject-matter expert by building strong stakeholder relationships and providing guidance on local tax, statutory, accounting, and reporting requirements.
- Identify complex transactions and recommend appropriate accounting or tax treatments, challenge issues, and support resolution.
- Lead the implementation of new or changing tax, accounting, and reporting requirements, ensuring effective communication, training, compliance monitoring, and continuous improvement aligned with professional standards, corporate policies, and local regulations.

Required Qualifications
- Several years of active experience in financial controllership and related functions.
- In-depth knowledge of local laws and experience managing corporate income taxation, tax compliance, sales tax management, withholding tax deductions, and statutory reporting.
- Strong understanding of financial control processes and professional accounting standards, including local requirements applicable to commercial and/or charitable organisations.
- Proven track record of managing key finance functions and leading efficient, innovative, and results-oriented teams.
- Demonstrated influencing and negotiating skills.
- Experience with ERP systems.
- Qualified accountant with at least five years of post-qualification experience.
- Proficiency in English (written and verbal) and fluency in Urdu to support external stakeholder engagement.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
- Experience in Shared Services operations.
- Background working in international and multicultural organisations.
- Leadership experience in change projects or initiatives.
- Familiarity with SAP systems.
- Higher education degree.

This position is based in Karachi, Islamabad, or Lahore, Pakistan, within the Finance and Corporate Services department. It is offered on an indefinite contract basis. Candidates must have the legal right to work in Pakistan at the time of application, as mobility, relocation, or visa sponsorship will not be provided. The British Council supports flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working, subject to line management approval and operational requirements.