Graduate Associate Intern - Finance

Job Description

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Job type: Full time

Role Summary

We are hiring for the Graduate Associate Intern - Finance, this is a role in a fast-paced team, working within complex divisions that are highly scrutinised.

Therefore, the successful candidate for the role should be able to display the majority of the following:

• Bank and Cash Reconciliations: Ensure timely reconciliations of TBI bank accounts both UK and overseas including petty cash/foreign currencies/ in country trackers/credit cards/prepaid card.
• Liaise with bankers for queries and resolve discrepancies, e.g., payment queries.
• Supplier Invoice Processing: Process supplier invoices in the accounting systems accurately and efficiently including check authorisations and prepare payments to suppliers in accordance with relevant TBI policies & KYC process.
• Supplier Account Reconciliation: Reconcile all supplier accounts regularly to resolve any discrepancies.
• Review creditor’s aging report regularly for timely payment processing.
• Process required payments ensuring correct authorisations.
• Ensure all entries are posted with the correct VAT coding.
• Manage your own workload to meet team deadlines for month end and offer support to other team members.
• Review receipts, accuracy of accounting recording and process staff expenses reports in accordance with TBI expenses policy.
• Compliance and Regulations: Ensure compliance with finance polies and procedures and assist with audit by providing relevant documentations and explanations.
• Collaboration with finance team and other departments to address financial concerns and provide support.
• Other duties including filing of financial records/data accurately.
• Any reasonable duties required by the Financial Manager or wider Finance team.

Know-How:

• Ensuring detailed knowledge of finance processes, policies and procedures
• Ensuring clear communication is provided to stakeholders.
• Ensuring up to date with the Institute’s structure, especially in relations to the allocation of costs and a clear understanding of the importance of donor funded projects
• Strong understanding of finance systems and tools, ensuring all relevant training is up to date.

Accountability:

• Ensure expenditures are posted accurately with relevant supporting approval documentation.
• Prepare the suppliers/staff expense payments within the payments run cycles.
• Timely reconciliation of bank statements each day.
• Proactively follow-up on late submissions and/or incomplete information (e.g., unallocated receipts)
• Full ownership of all Finance entries and administration e.g., reconciled creditor accounts.

Responsibility:

• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure information is shared effectively and collaboratively.
• Informed challenges of details on invoices with internal stakeholders/suppliers for details which do not appear correct e.g., VAT codes.
• Embracing global finance team, supporting all team members when needed.
• Ad hoc pieces of work or projects as required by Financial Manager or Finance Leadership team.

Judgement:

• Anticipate and mitigate any concerns or risks appropriately and escalate where necessary.
• Ability to challenge others if you perceive a decision to be incorrect or damaging to TBI.

Ownership/ambition:

• Contributing to overall Finance OKRs
• Influence process change within and out of your region.
• Be an ambassador for work that the Institute undertakes.
• Help shape best practice guidelines and methodology for Finance processes.
• Model & maintain TBI Core Values - Courageous, Collaborative & Compassionate.

Person Specification

• A qualification in a finance background or equivalent demonstratable experience, and fundamental knowledge and understanding of accountancy.
• Experience of general accounting – e.g., Debit vs Credit entries, Purchase Ledger, Reconciliations, accruals, and prepayments.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills required.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• A collaborative and supportive team-player, with demonstrable experience in working as part of a team.
• Great interpersonal skills - able to establish good cross departmental working relationships.
• Great time management skills.
• Ability to articulate verbally and by written presentation, and toto express complex ideas in a clear and straightforward way.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise against tight deadlines.
• Customer service/experience focused - flexible & adaptable approach
• A flexible approach – you’ll be open to taking on unfamiliar tasks and learning new skills.
• Enthusiastic, self-driven, ambitious, and always seeking continuous improvement.
• Experience of the demands of working within a growing business advantageous.
• Understanding of local financial regulations and compliance requirements.
• Experience of working with Workday System is beneficial.
• Demonstrate discretion working with sensitive information.
• A keen interest in our work as an Institute, expansion and sharing of knowledge and personal development

Closing Date: 2025-08-14