Assistant International Accountant (Full-Time / 12 Months Fixed-Term Contract)

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Through the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists and our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos, we guide and enable others in the UK and all across the world. Inspiring, informing, empowering – working for wildlife.

Role Profile

ZSL is seeking an Assistant International Accountant who will work closely with our two International Finance Business Partners to monitor and support ZSL financial management controls, policies and procedures internationally.

Reporting to the International Finance Business Partner Manager you will be responsible for assisting colleagues (including those within the Conservation and Policy Programmes "C&P" Operations team) in the preparation of budgets and monthly management accounts including International activities. You will ensure all income and expenditure is recorded correctly in the accounts and in line with the approved budgets for the international projects. Working closely with budget holders this role will give you some exposure to finance business partnering as well as hand on accounting skills and analysis work.

This is a great opportunity to join a growing charity, where you will have exposure and involvement with the re-engineering of finance processes internationally which will be a real CV enhancing experience. How you communicate finance to a non-finance audience will be vital, as is a desire and passion to learn and develop your skills. Experience of the charity sector is not essential but is highly welcomed and you must be genuinely excited by the prospect of joining a world leading conservation charity such as ZSL.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Supporting the International Accountants to ensure that the monthly transactional information is accurately reported in the accounting systems.
• Provide support and interface to the finance systems used by ZSL globally, including developing tools, templates and reports that enhance this.
• Providing management financial reporting and addressing queries from budget holders and project managers.
• Support CP Operations and Finance in preparing donor reporting.
• Support CP Operations and Finance in managing external grant related audits.
• Ensuring adherence to policies and procedures for operations overseas and that these are rolled out effectively to country programme offices and across our out of area programmes.

Person Specification

Ideally the successful candidate will possess:

• Proven experience in management accounts
• A part qualified accountancy qualification (i.e. ACCA, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA) or is actively working towards the qualification, or has the intention to start their finance studies should they be selected for this position.
• Previous experience using financial management systems (i.e. SUN, QuickBooks).
• Understanding of grant funded international work and relevant compliance requirements.
• The ability to interpret financial information.
• Sound organisational, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Prior experience developing relationships across departments at multiple levels in an international / multi-cultural organisation.

Please note: This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent position reporting to the International Finance Business Partner Manager and the post will be based at ZSL’s head office in Regents Park, London. Having a "can do attitude", solution-focused approach and the ability to make objective decisions under pressure will make you a success in this role.

Benefit Package:

This role offers a competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days holiday, stakeholder pension where the employer minimum contribution is 7%, complimentary zoo tickets and more.