Finance Team Lead

Job Purpose

JOB DESCRIPTION

• To support and supervise the day-to-day activities of the Transactional Accounting team based in the Universitys India office to ensure the teams’ responsibilities and activities are achieved in specified timescales and to agreed KPIs.
• To ensure that course fees are collected in accordance with financial procedures and the terms and conditions agreed with students and firms, and that appropriate action is taken at the correct time when debts become overdue.
• To ensure that the University’s financial transactions are processed accurately and in a timely manner and meets all the University’s statutory requirements.
• To support management to ensure that the University has the best financial systems and controls possible which complies with all relevant legislation and accounting standards.
• Provide a first-class service to Customers, Suppliers, external firms and the business.

Key Accountability

Customer/ Service Delivery

Finance Operations :

• To gain a deep understanding and be in full support of the concept, direction, and objectives of the GEI and ULaw partnership.
• To understand the full student journey and the ULaw course offering to best align departmental objectives.
• To develop process maps, manuals, and training materials to provide insight and solutions for the development of the Finance staffing model.
• To recruit, develop, and retain Finance officers, Credit controllers and deliver timely, professional, and proactive services to Supplier, Staff and Students.

Client, Service, and Operational Delivery

• To support and supervise the day-to-day activities of the Transactional Accounting team based in the University’s India office to ensure the teams’ responsibilities and activities are achieved in specified timescales and to agreed KPIs.
• Ensure the relevant cash postings are performed accurately on a daily basis, and that any unallocated items are investigated to ensure that the debtor accounts have the correct allocations.
• Ensure the effective management of the Accounts Payable inbox and allocation of emails to the team.
• Run the ‘invoices awaiting approval report’ on a weekly basis and ensure that appropriate action is being taken and tasks do not get ‘stuck’.
• Ensure all new suppliers are set up accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring that the correct authorities are obtained.
• Run monthly reconciliations on the aged Debtors/Creditors and other relevant accounts and ensure that all outstanding items are investigated and the appropriate actions are taken.
• To provide first-class customer service to students, external firms, and the business as and when needed and must take escalation calls as per the requirement.
• Deal with complex and routine inquiries from students, clients, and staff by email and phone, ensuring accurate and professional responses at all times. Act as a role model to the team.
• To oversee the provision of comprehensive information to clients about all aspects of Finance, responding in a timely and professional manner to inquiries.
• To oversee the timely collection of all student fees and to ensure all overdue accounts for Students or Firms are reviewed and actioned according to the In-house agency process.
• To ensure the team accurately add student fees payment instalment plans to the student debtor accounts as per the defined process in line with the student requests.
• Use CRM system to manage the functions of receiving, analyzing, resolving, and documenting customers’ issues and complaints.
• Assist with developing plans for customer service activities to include customer management to achieve satisfaction targets.
• Reporting (content and format as agreed) to the in-house leader on a Daily & monthly basis or as otherwise required and maintaining accurate records.
• Assist the in-house leader with the preparation and agreement of individual action plans and targets for all team members.
• Ensure the timely preparation, collection, and distribution of student information and records to meet deadlines.
• Attend regular Team meetings as required by the Finance Operations Delivery.
• Ensure Call quality is maintained and monitored as guided.
• Actively look for ways to improve and or streamline services and procedures, presenting proposals to the Finance manager.
• In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the job holder is required to perform other duties assigned by the Transactional Accounting team leader from time to time.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Sub-process: To ensure students who are considering SLC loan application queries, withdrawing, intermitting or transferring their studies have a clear understanding on what tuition fees they are liable for and have the ability to calculate these for all intakes, and be confident to talk the student through the various options available to them.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to company policies and accounting standards.
• Audit Support: Prepare documentation and assist during internal and external audits.
• Process improvements: Identify opportunities for process improvements within Accounts Payable, recommending changes to increase efficiency.

KRA’s

KCustomer/ Service Delivery

• To support and supervise the day-to-day activities of the Transactional Accounting team based in the University’s India office to ensure the teams’ responsibilities and activities are achieved in specified timescales and to agreed KPIs.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements within Accounts Payable, recommending changes to increase efficiency.

Finance

• To ensure timely and accurate posting of financial transactions such as accruals and prepayments and other transactions as requested.
• Focus on Cost savings and Process improvements.

Risk & Compliance/ Internal Processes

• To consistently maintain high standards of quality and accuracy in all tasks and deliverables, contributing to organizational excellence and stakeholder satisfaction.

Growth & Value/ Continuous improvement

• Understand & gain process knowledge of Courses, Campuses and tasks and Industry Insights.
• Identify opportunities for service improvements and operational efficiencies to consistently exceed customer expectations.

Self-Focus

• Understand process KPI’s and work towards achieving them.
• Prioritize tasks effectively, manage time efficiently, and maintain focus on key priorities.
• Pursue ongoing learning and development opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge, and capabilities like Future Learning or LinkedIn.

The Key Result Areas (KRAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)should be assessed biannually to ensure that the person carrying out the job is consistent performance aligned with Potential challenges in measuring performance due to complexities in organizational processes that hinder target achievement need to be considered.

Desired Profile

Qualification

• Graduate level or equivalent.
• Professional certification.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Thorough, accurate with close attention to detail.
• Ability to work well within a team, both local and international
• Energetic self-starter with personal drive and a ‘can do’ attitude and self-motivation.
• Well organized
• Good time management and prioritization skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to meet strict reporting and processing deadlines.
• Demonstrate sound judgement.

Relevant Experience

• 6 to 9 years of work experience or Apprenticeship experience.
• Excel and Word.
• Use of Windows-based accounting system.
• Dealing with internal and external queries regarding complaints.
• Customer service
• Maintenance of a computerized sales ledger system including accurate and timely invoicing and collection of debts.
• Preparation of internal reporting information on an accurate and timely basis.
• Nominal ledger entries. Strong understanding of processing and reconciling a variety of accounting transactions.
• Operating within a multi-site, international business