Project/Grant Accountant at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary:

• You will help coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the Discretionary Projects  policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the DISCRETIONARY financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the DISCRETIONARY life cycle.

Note: Depending on the project/grant portfolio (scope and complexity), the Project/Grant Accountant can be assigned responsibility for delivery of accounting and financial reporting services for either payable or receivable transactions.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for Discretionary subrecipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for Discretionary   accounts in insight.
• Review and validate supporting documentation as well as seek explanation for deviations before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place.
• Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.
• Assess, evaluate and monitor subrecipient financial management processes (where applicable) in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions.
• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert DISCRETIONARY Project Manager and staff of due payments/liquidations,   and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.
• Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist Discretionary   Project staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.
• Provide information to Discretionary Project staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.
• Process all Discretionary related payment requests in insight and update project manager on status of payments. Conduct periodic financial monitoring to ensure judicious application of DISCRETIONARY project funds by staff and partners.
• Perform assigned treasury Discretionary (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.

Required Languages – High proficiency in oral and written English language

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 20% of his or her time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies
• Conscientious, accurate and thorough with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the relevant public donor regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Vision), Web Conferencing Applications
• Experience with financial accounting software’s such as tally, sunsystems, and Insight will be an added advantage.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Finance Manager, Discretionary Project Managers, , HoOPs, HoP

External: Partners, Subrecipients and  Donors.  

QUALIFICATIONS
Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, financial auditing, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.