Business Controller at the EFI Headquarters, Joensuu, Finland

The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation established by European States. EFI undertakes forest research and policy support at pan-European and global levels. EFI’s Headquarters is located in Joensuu, Finland. EFI has several offices across Europe, and a project office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Institute has approximately 120 staff, and has an annual turnover of over 14 million Euros. Further information about the organization is available at www.efi.int.

EFI is seeking an experienced, organised, and customer focused finance professional to effectively and efficiently take ownership of EFI’s Financial Reporting and Overheads activities.

Tasks and Responsibilities 

1. Financial Reporting: EFI is an international organization with a relatively simple financial model.  The responsibilities of this role include:

• Preparation of quarterly and formal annual accounts, and support external audits
• Preparation of quarterly balance sheet information for internal review
• Develop and maintain an overall process for cash forecasting at an EFI level
• Provide support for Financial Accounting issues within EFI
• Main user of “Wintime” accounting software; software maintenance, user training and support.
   

2. Overhead/department support: EFI operates in a matrix organization, where departments provide people to work on multiple projects.  Overheads are those costs not directly assigned to Projects.  The responsibilities of the role include:

• Support, monitor and challenge the department owners in managing their budgets
• Coordinate the Overhead reporting & forecasting in line with the required timetable
• Undertake appropriate overheads accruals, prepayments, and cost corrections
• Develop and maintain a process for Overheads cash forecasting
• Support to the annual Budgeting & quarterly Forecasting cycles
• Support the review and development of the approach for allocating overheads to projects/other cost centres
• Support the review/opening/closing of EFIs Overheads/Dept. structures
   

3. Non-project receivables: EFI receives funding from various sources.  The responsibilities of the role include:

• Liaise with the budget holders to ensure that invoices are raised within the required timeframe
• Ensure that debts are reviewed and issues resolved
• Allocation of all Cash Receipts (project and non-project)
• Ensuring appropriate recognition of non-project income/revenue within the accounts
• Management of nominated Bank Accounts to ensure that are controlled and opened/closed within suitable timeframes
   

4. Other activities, including but not limited to:

• Transact the weekly payment runs on behalf of EFI
• Transferring of people costs to projects using hours timesheets as a basis
• Support and cover other team members, and support other EFI initiatives where appropriate

Qualifications/Competences

• Minimum of a Bachelors degree in a Business or Finance related field
• Another recognised international financial qualification (e.g. ACMA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CGMA, etc.) would be an significant asset
• Minimum 5 years of post qualified experience within the Finance function
• Some practical experience in preparing Income Statements (Profit & Loss accounts), Balance Sheets, and Cashflow Statements is required. 
• Familiarity with Finnish GAAP and/or International Accounting Standards
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.  Fluent Finnish is an asset
• Proven high level organisational skills including the ability to use initiative and capacity to work under pressure in a multinational working environment
• A positive and customer focused outlook
• An appetite to lead or support continuous improvement within the Finance area and also the wider organization
• Demonstrated high level of interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to support, challenge, and advise internal customers and other stakeholders
• Good computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office applications, and of using relevant financial software
   

Duty Station

The employee will be based at the EFI Headquarters in Joensuu, Finland.

Employment conditions

The successful candidate will be expected to take up the post as soon as possible.  A fixed term appointment of three years is envisaged with an option for extension.

EFI offers a competitive benefits and salary package.  This position offers a challenging opportunity to work within a stimulating international environment.

The position reports to the Financial Manager and it is the aspiration of the current organisation that one of the roles within the Finance Unit will provide the successor to the Financial Manager.  Therefore, development/coaching support will also be provided to support this aspiration.

The role could be undertaken as a full-time or 80% part-time role depending on the candidate.  The role will then be flexed to accommodate.

Interested candidates who feel that they can bring knowledge and enthusiasm into this role are requested to apply online by 1st November 2015, submitting their application letter and CV. If it is not possible to apply online please send your application to Human Resources Office, EFI, email: efi.hr(at)efi.int.

For more information about the post please contact: Mark Pilbeam, Finance Manager, email: mark.pilbeam @ efi.int

All applications will be handled confidentially.

Please note that only candidates that have been shortlisted for interview will be contacted.