Job Description

We are the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. Established in 1982, the Foundation has 100 staff members in 17 locations around the world, and works to advance media freedom, raise awareness of human rights issues, and develop initiatives to support more inclusive economies.

We believe in the power of information and collaboration to shape a more fair and equal world. Through global news coverage, media development, free legal assistance and our convening authority, we seek to inform, connect and empower people around the world. Our mission is to inspire collective leadership by building global awareness of the challenges facing humanity, and empowering others to shape free, fair and open societies.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation is currently recruiting a Project Accountant to join the finance team. The role will involve working closely with the Financial Controller, Finance Manager and all Programme Teams to ensure the sound management of the organisation’s financial resources and the smooth financial management of its projects.

The Project Accountant will be responsible for providing accounting, donor reporting, and planning support to Project Leads / Managers, Business Development and all other stakeholders as required.

They will be responsible for supporting programmes with continuous monitoring of actual spend and projected spend against agreed budgets to ensure all donor requirements are met. They will also be responsible for undertaking ad hoc financial analysis working closely with Finance and both internal and external stakeholders.

The position will report to the Director of Finance and have key relationships with all operational delivery teams, finance colleagues and the Business Development team.

Please note, this is a 2 year fixed term contract.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the oversight of grant management across the Foundation from initial project set up to closure, working closely with Programme Leads / Managers to ensure all aspects of the Foundation’s financial project management and donor requirements are met.
• To continually review project income and expenditure to ensure it is compliant with expenditure restrictions specified within donor agreements in addition to the Foundation's financial policies.
• Perform monthly review of cost allocations to projects and performance against agreed budgets with Programme Leads/ Managers in order to identify, investigate and report any variances to relevant stakeholders.  Where variances are identified, to ensure appropriate actions are agreed and taken in a timely manner to ensure financial progress against budgets. 
• Working closely with the Financial Controller and operational teams ensure that project financial management tools and information systems are up to date and reconciled on a monthly basis to key financial systems.
• Working closely with the business development team review and/or assist in the preparation of budgets for project proposals, sense checking and ensuring full cost recovery and compliance with requirements communicated by donors. To review and sign off on any revisions to proposed budgets following donor feedback.
• Review and/or prepare accurate grant financial reports in line with donor reporting formats and timescales Ensure Programme Leads/ Managers / Co-ordinators have carried out the required due diligence processes for all partners/suppliers contracted to delivery under the Foundation’s projects.
• Support the Finance Director in reviewing all draft contracts received for new projects awarded to the Foundation to ensure all terms are appropriate, clear and compliant with the Foundation’s policies before execution  
• Contribute proactively with the design of financial policies, planning and monitoring tools in the organisation. Undertake ad-hoc financial analysis as required by the Director of Finance and reply promptly to enquires from senior management and finance colleagues.
• Support the finance team on any other relevant task including providing cover for other finance team members when required. This position will be based in London and may involve some overseas travel.  

Person Specification Education and training

• Accountancy qualification or part qualification (ACCA/ CIMA) (essential)
• Substantial experience of project accounting in a similar capacity for an NGO or a charity (essential) including experience and knowledge of donor funding and compliance (essential)
• Demonstrable experience of preparation of budgets and project financial reports (preferably trusts, foundations and institutional donors such as DfID and EU) (essential)
• Experience of analyzing, interpreting and clearly presenting financial data and working with multiple currencies (essential)
• Knowledge and experience of charity financial processes including full cost recovery under projects (essential)
• Experience of using SAP or equivalent financial system (essential) Working knowledge of VAT accounting (desirable)  

Key competencies

• Thoroughness and attention to detail with a keen focus on getting the job done correctly (essential)
• Strong organisational skills and efficient time management, ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities (essential)
• Ability to create own work plans, prioritise work demands to ensure deadlines are met (essential)
• Understanding of customer care principle and willingness to communicate with internal and external stakeholders in a pro-active manner Initiative in being able to anticipate situations and problems, and find appropriate solutions (essential)
• Excellent team working and collaboration abilities (essential)
• Excellent numerical skills (essential) + Advanced excel skills and strong general IT skills (essential)  

Please note, the deadline for applications is Friday 28th February at 11.59pm UK Time.