The Finance Officer will play a pivotal role in assuring adherence to financial policies, project policies and procedures, regulations, controls, and reporting systems. The Finance Officer will provide accounting and financial analysis support to the project office and will ensure submission of financial reports based on internal deadlines. This position will ensure compliance of all accounting and financial reporting functions. Responsible for recording costs and day to day general accounting, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, risk management, managing partner relationships, assuring all backup documentation is audit ready, and troubleshooting accounting issues.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Cash Management:
Initiates wire requests for field project implementation in accordance with DAI schedule.
Record all financial transactions in Field Accounting System (FAS) or FERs on a daily basis.
Ensures the safeguard of bank checks, cash receipts, and petty cash.
Receive and verify suppliers' and consultants' invoices along with justification documents.
Verify expenses for accuracy and project accounting codes.
Ensures accurate and timely processing of invoices, advances and reimbursements, checks, and wire transfer payments.
Upload the FERs to Oracle based on DAI's schedule.
Upload the FERs to Dolphin accounting system on monthly basis.
Compiles backup documentation for all project related transactions and ensures completeness and appropriate review and approvals are documented.
Maintain an accurate filing of payment vouchers and other financial documents and perform regular spot audits on project's financial files.
Ensure backup documentation is scanned and uploaded to relevant system according to set deadlines.
Salary Calculation and Disbursal:
Ensure that the employee profiles are up to date.
Prepares all documentation for the processing of timely and accurate payroll payments for the office and ensures leave balances, and payroll taxes are accurate.
Ensure that salary is disbursed, payroll is recorded in the accounting system, and individual paystubs are distributed to all employees on schedule.
Prepares necessary documentation for corporate tax, NFSS, TOS, and VAT auditing.
Tracks and monitors leave balances and liability payments.
Reviews employment agreement and modifications and updates salary calculations based on local and company requirements.
Ensures staff compliance with timekeeping policy and procedures.
Maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
Travel Advances & Reimbursements:
Work with the Finance Manager to approve and distribute travel advance amounts based on WSC's travel advance policy.
Audits travel requests and expense reports for accuracy and compliance.
Follows procedures to ensure accurate and timely payment and reconciliation of travel advances, reimbursements for staff and partner travel.
Reviews and monitors outstanding advances report by paying close attention to advances that have not been settled after 30 days of issuance.
Budgeting and Reporting:
Assist in developing budget estimates for technical activities and events.
Assist in the production of spending reports, track, and analyze technical activities budget spending with subcontracts, procurement, and grants team.
Assist in the production of spending reports on Other Direct Costs, track and analyze spending.
Assist in preparing the monthly financial projections for the project.
Assist with quarterly accruals reporting and other financial reports to USAID.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or other related fields required, advanced degree in the above listed areas highly preferred.
Minimum 8 years of relevant working experience.
Computer literacy and demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
Experience working with donor-funded programs.
Demonstrated communications, writing, and presentation skills.
Strong teamwork skills, as well as effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills.
Fluency in Swahili and English.