Senior Financial Controller

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. We connect. We inspire. The role is responsible for statutory reporting, tax compliance, audit and financial risk management for British Council’s Pakistan operations, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements, tax filings, regulatory reporting. It oversees local tax matters, advises business and finance teams on regulatory requirements, coordinates with external tax advisors and authorities, monitors changes in the tax and accounting environment, and proactively identifies and manages financial and tax risks. The role also acts as a key finance partner, overseeing financial accounting with the Retained Shared Service Center (RSSC) across P2P, O2C, R2R, and cash and liquidity management, ensuring accurate reporting to the UK Group and auditors. The postholder will lead and mentor the Pakistan financial control team, drive tax compliance and IFRS reporting, oversee local cashflow reporting, and ensure effective financial controls and compliance with accounting standards and corporate policies. The role focuses on high-risk and complex finance activities of the country operations, while supporting monthly close, and financial compliance. The postholder will contribute to Finance strategy, and support a unified Finance culture, working closely with business leaders, senior Finance teams, Group Tax, RSSC, Regional Finance, Center of Excellence (CoEs), Global Process Owners, Treasury, audit and compliance teams, and local tax authorities. The role requires a proactive, strategic, commercially aware, and detail-oriented finance professional with strong communication skills. Main responsibilities The role provides leadership and financial management for the Pakistan finance function, including people management, coaching, and promoting British Council values, EDI, professionalism, financial discipline, and continuous improvement. Working closely with the RSSC, the postholder ensures accurate and timely financial accounting across P2P, O2C, R2R, and CLM, while overseeing complex local statutory and tax reporting, e-invoicing, banking responsibilities, cashflow forecasting, audit processes, and regulatory requirements. The role also works with Group Tax, external tax advisors, Treasury, and local authorities to manage tax matters, financial compliance, audit recommendations, and escalations. The postholder acts as a key finance business partner and subject-matter expert, building strong relationships with stakeholders and providing guidance on local tax, statutory, accounting, and reporting requirements. They identify complex transactions and recommend appropriate accounting or tax treatments, challenge issues and support resolution. The role also leads the implementation of new or changing tax, accounting, and reporting requirements, ensuring effective communication, training, compliance monitoring, and continuous improvement in line with professional standards, corporate policies, and local regulations. Role specific skills * Strong Financial Reporting, Accounting, Closing and Compliance skills. Excellent IT skills and proficient in Excel. * Effective communication and influencing skills, able to relay complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way. * Highly organised and deadline oriented. * Building relationships at all levels of the organisation. * Flexibility, independence, and initiative to perform successfully in a rapidly changing environment. Role specific knowledge and experience Minimum/essential * Several active years of financial controllership and related experience. * Knowledge of local laws and experience managing corporate income taxation, tax compliance, including sales tax management, withholding tax deductions and statutory reporting. * Good understanding of financial control processes and Professional Accounting Standards (including local requirements where applicable) for Commercial and/or Charitable organisations. * Track record of managing key finance function and leading an efficient, innovative and result oriented team. * Strong influencing and negotiating experience. * ERP experience. Desirable * Shared Services Operations. * Experience of working in international and multi-cultural organisations. Leadership of change projects/initiatives. * SAP experience. Language Requirements * The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required. * Fluency in local Urdu language to support proper external stakeholder engagements. Education * Higher Education Professional Qualification and Certification * Qualified accountant with at least 5 years of post-qualification experience. British Council | Pay Band 8 Location: Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Pakistan Department: Finance and Corporate Services Contract: Indefinite Contract Apply by: Tuesday, October 20th (11:59 PM) Interview Date, in the month of November Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in Pakistan at the time of application. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview. A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities. Safeguarding Statement The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children. If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org