Group Financial Controller

About EDI Global

EDI Global provides world-class data collection and research services to a broad range of international development clients in Africa. From our offices in Bukoba, Nairobi, Kampala and London, we deliver surveys and research studies on behalf of donors, universities, research institutes and philanthropic foundations. These normally cover large sample groups (2000+) and include impact evaluations, panel surveys, health and biometric data collection amongst others. Qualitative data collection and mixed methods studies also feature among the services EDI Global provides to clients.

Since our foundation in 2002, EDI Global has grown to become one of East Africa’s most respected research houses with a strong reputation for high quality survey design and data collection services aimed at assessing international development programme impacts, measuring results, and evaluating potential solutions to global poverty. We have worked across multiple sectors and conducted research projects in agriculture, economic development, education, health, social protection and water and sanitation.  EDI Global has an annual turnover of ~US$ 2.5M and employs over 55 staff in 4 countries. 

EDI Global is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mathematica Inc.  Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to address complex social challenges and improve well-being around the world. Mathematica creates and uses evidence to help bilateral and multilateral donors, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and philanthropic and private sector actors improve programmes, refine strategies, and advance knowledge. Over the past two decades, Mathematica has developed a large portfolio of international development work that spans more than 50 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Mathematica’s work provides actionable learning to guide decision-making and improve outcomes in a range of policy areas, including health, agriculture, climate change, energy, education, and workforce development.

Position Description

EDI Global is seeks an experienced Group Financial Controller to oversee the day to day activities of the finance team in the UK and East Africa ensuring the companies’ finance functions are organised, efficient and produce accurate and timely financial and management accounts.

Working under limited supervision and reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Financial Controller will also be responsible for encouraging the continuous improvement of financial performance across the companies, formulating and implementing relevant policies, and continually striving to provide commercially astute and relevant financial management information and analysis to support the business. 

Position Responsibilities

• Overseeing the finance functions and mentor the finance teams in all EDI Global companies. Providing continual coaching, feedback and oversight to the senior finance staff in each company
• Leading the formulation and ensuring the successful implementation of improved financial management reporting systems, internal control systems, policies and processes that reflect the changing needs of a growing group of companies and that focus on provision of current and relevant financial information for decision making purposes and financial control of projects
• Leading the preparation, maintenance and monitoring of the monthly, annual and 3 year group-wide budgeting, forecasting and cash flow processes and documents, ensuring at all times that any material deviations and/or unexpected deficits or surpluses are flagged to the Board for action
• Preparing of accurate and timely monthly financial management reports and overseeing and checking the completeness and correctness of the required inputs for these reports
• Guiding, overseeing and reviewing the preparation of client and internal project budgets and be responsible for their accuracy and compatibility with strategic plans and guidelines
• Conducting monthly project reviews of financial performance against budget and propose appropriate actions to achieve or exceed budgeted performance
• Conducting ad-hoc reviews of accounting operations where potential issues have been highlighted, and implementing remedial actions or improvements to financial controls or processes
• Preparing and submitting timely statutory end of year financial statements to external auditors/accountants for review
• Developing and implement Risk Management controls and build the capacity of the Finance staff in international best practice in Financial Management and International Accounting Standards (including IFRS), internal audit and risk management
• Assisting in the drafting, review and edit of legal documents or terms and conditions of internal and external documents, reverting to external legal advisers where necessary
• Carrying out financial modelling and analysis as may be requested by the Board or management teams
• Taking responsibility for the correct and timely submissions of all tax and statutory financial related matters, checking and overseeing the relevant periodic tax returns and payments and ensuring any other ad-hoc or annual tax returns are completed correctly and submitted in a timely manner
• Acting as the liaison with external auditors, accountants and tax authorities and being the primary contact for all financial matters
• Preparing any other ad hoc financial reports, projections, estimates, analysis or any other finance related work as may be required by the Board
• Preparing any financial related materials as may be required for Board or Shareholder meetings
• Ensuring transfer pricing documentation is in place and maintained for all legal entities
• Supervising, actively managing, and developing finance team and direct reports

Position Requirements

• ACCA or CIMA qualified
• At least 5 years relevant experience accounting and financial control experience
• Experience of working with international companies with subsidiaries in multiple countries and a strong understanding of the accounting implications of managing multiple reporting entities
• Experience of consolidation accounting for international companies including conducting intercompany reconciliations and eliminations, foreign currency consolidations
• Experience and knowledge of transfer pricing guidelines and practices for multinational companies
• Experience dealing with tax authorities regarding indirect taxes (VAT), employment taxes, corporation taxes and withholding taxes
• Experience managing, supporting and developing international teams across borders, languages and time zones
• Experience of a range of accounting, finance and related software and systems
• Proven written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to present complex. detailed financial information to non-expert audiences
• Experience in working in international development and/or working in East Africa, would be beneficial
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally
• Fluency in English

EDI Global offers our employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high-quality work.

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of £63,000 to £73,000. This position is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance.

EDI Global offers a hybrid model of working with staff splitting their time between working from home and the office. The Financial Controller will be based in London.

Please note that you must have the right to live and work in the UK.

One of EDI Global’s core values is a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our research is more robust because it is informed by a variety of diverse perspectives, and our mission to improve societal well-being is strengthened by a greater understanding of issues and challenges facing the populations we serve. Our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion is woven into our everyday actions, policies, and practices. We are dedicated to maintaining a work environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please email your CV via the apply button. The closing date for applications is August 31^st  2022. We will review candidates on a rolling basis so encourage early applications. Please be advised that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.