View Vacancy – Accounts Officer, US Network Finance – British Embassy Washington

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Washington has an exciting opportunity for two motivated and resourceful individuals to join the US Network Team as Finance Officers. As Finance Officer, you will support US Network Finance colleagues in various financial and operational procedures, ensuring excellent customer service, thorough documentation and adherence to policies, and the efficient running of various payment and expense processes. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the life and work of one of the biggest and busiest missions in the UK diplomatic network.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  

In this role you will be working in a diverse international environment with UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Manage local payments including cash and bank account monitoring
• Ensure purchasing and supplier maintenance processes are followed, to manage the timely handling of invoices and payments through the FCDO payment system, dealing with any escalated issues at post
• Act as first point of contact for suppliers on operational queries
• Process outgoing payments in compliance with financial policies and procedures
• Perform day-to-day financial transactions, including verifying, classifying, and recording accounts payable data
• Verify and investigate discrepancies, if any, by reconciling vendor accounts and monthly vendor statements
• Facilitate payment of recoveries due by sending bill reminders and contacting clients
• Understand expense accounts/Cost Centers/General Ledger
• Understand compliance issues around accounts payable processes
• Support other colleagues within corporate services as and when necessary and ad hoc duties as required
• Ensure commitments to service level agreement within the Corporate Services Charter are met
• Build and foster working relationships with UK and US colleagues on finance processes within the FCDO’s standard framework/policies

Resources managed:

No resources, staff/budgets, are directly managed by this role, however there is an overarching requirement to safeguard UK taxpayer’s resources by ensuring value for money and utilising effective/efficient financial process.

• Must have background/understanding of accounts payable/receivable functions/processes
• Must be proficient in use of standard office equipment e.g. IT (laptops), scanners, photocopiers etc.
• Competent with IT applications such Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams and Outlook. Prior Oracle experience would be desirable, but not essential
• Have a good/high standard of reading, writing and speaking in English
• Demonstrated experience/background in an accounts payable/receivable environment, a degree is not essential
• Attention-to-detail and adaptable mindset
• Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application.

Please note: Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form. 

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.