Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Analyst

As a valued employee of the British Council, you already help us deliver our mission to support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

You are part of our organisation in over 200 countries and territories and where we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

British Council Payband 6

Contract Type: 1-year Fixed Term Contract

Location: Shanghai, China

Closing Date: 15th June 2025 at 11.59pm China time

You must have the legal right to work in China at the time of application.
There is no relocation or sponsorship support.

Role Purpose:

• Responsible for supporting the China Exams Financial Planning and Analysis team by providing accurate consolidation, review and analysis of the financial data linked with plans, forecasts or performance review.
• The role involves liaising with the local Exams business leads, country staff and Financial Controller’s team when and where required, to ensure errors are corrected and prevent distortions resulting from financial accounting aspects.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities: 

Planning, Forecasting & Budgeting

• Support the planning process for Exams China by ensuring tools and procedures are in place to deliver accurate and timely information—automated where possible.
• Assist the China Exams FP&A Lead with data consolidation, presenting information clearly using graphs and well-documented assumptions.
• Identify errors and potential risk areas during variance reviews and escalate as needed.
• Integrate financial and non-financial data (e.g., exam volumes) to enhance planning and reporting.
• Provide training and one-on-one support to Country Exams Leads and other team members as needed.

Financial Analysis

• Develop tools and processes that enable effective financial projections, trend analysis, and variance analysis.
• Collaborate with the China Exams FP&A Lead to review and analyse financial variances and projections.

Management Reporting

• Investigate significant variances during the month-end process and ensure corrections are made before the hard close.
• Identify and correct issues in master data (e.g., Profit Centres, Cost Centres, WBS, GLs), implementing necessary changes within one month of detection.
• Provide data and insights to support comprehensive, business-informed commentaries.
• Respond to ad-hoc requests, enquiries, and reviews as required by the team.

Business Performance Management

• Support accurate business performance reporting by minimizing unallocated income/expenses and reducing entries under “NONE” or “Unassigned” categories.
• Conduct monthly reviews to ensure actuals align with planned/forecast assumptions, particularly for allocated costs (e.g., staff, OPSS, indirect costs).
• Help managers resolve SAP and data hygiene issues to improve accuracy and reporting quality.

Role specific knowledge and experience: 

Minimum / Essential Requirements

• At least 3 years of experience in operational financial management and/or management accounting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Desirable Requirements

• Strong ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Good time management and data management skills.
• Experience working in virtual or geographically dispersed teams.

Education and Qualification

•  Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance/economics
• Part-qualified with a recognized accounting body if preferred.

Language Requirement:

• The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.
• Candidates must show the ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin, both in written and spoken.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org