Accounting Manager at Mercy Corps

Requisition Number: ACCOU002012
Job Category: Finance & Compliance
Travel Required: Yes

Program / Department Summary

• The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Abuja including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance.
• The Mercy Corps Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures.
• In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the country team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.

General Position Summary

• Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Finance and Compliance Director, the Accounting Manager will have primary responsibility for the management & effectiveness of Mercy Corps Nigeria accounting function.
• The Accounting Manager will ensure a high level of efficiency as well as accuracy and completeness of accounting records.
• This role will also provide training, coaching and regular feedback to finance staff taking part in or managing the monthly accounting cycle, ensuring all accounting controls are effective both at field and country offices. As required, the Accounting Manager will examine the accounting function staffing structure and make necessary adjustments to ensure functional roles and clearly designated responsibilities.
• S/he will ensure standard routine accounting practices in all offices as stated in minimum performance indicators and complete the relevant payroll, Tax and HQ accounting reports for Mercy Corps Nigeria.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Accounting Management & Team Capacity Building:

• Responsible for management and oversight and effectiveness of accounting function within Finance Department; ensures country-wide coordination, preparation and the on-time submission of the monthly reporting package to HQ and FY-end close-out process
• Oversee and coordinate timely preparation of month-end/quarterly balance sheet account reconciliations.
• Oversee the maintenance of all accounting records, ensuring that records are complete, accurate and safeguarded in compliance with MC policies and local laws.
• The lead in the accounts management, upgrades and implementation of any changes in the accounting software (Navigator Citrix System)
• Oversee daily entries into the system, identify errors and coordinate with respective team members any corrective actions; does and follows up on regular transaction review and posting within Navigator
• Monitors and reviews process and accuracy of transaction entry in all MC Nigeria offices; regularly review balance sheet accounts, coordinates corrections and reclasses with the team, review and post journal entries.
• Oversee national staff payroll processing, accruals, reconciliations, end of service and statutory deduction calculations.
• Review Potential procurement of a payroll system and offer continuous review of the payroll system.
• In charge of month-end and fiscal year-end closure / General ledger finalization & submission to HQ offices for review; main point of contact with HQ on all accounting matters
• Ensure that accounting records are organized (soft and hard copy) and accessible at all times for easy review and retrieval.
• Ensure compliance with Nigeria statutory requirements (PAYE, WHT, pension, etc.); monitors timely remittances to relevant institutions, and liaise with relevant tax consultants and authorities
• Provide regular transaction reviews as per the AAM level assigned
• Monitor cash and bank balances and coordinate monthly cash flow requests from field offices to ensure accuracy and support consolidated country cash flow requests to HQ.
• Contributes to development and update of local accounting and other policies; as member of finance management team assist with interpretation and enforces implementation and compliance with any HQ and locally developed policies
• Daily management of finance staff through training, scheduling, coaching and regular communicating of job expectations to ensure minimum accounting controls are effective.
• When required, review and delineate clear roles and responsibilities within the accounting function, communicate clearly any changes required and ensure that team understands their roles
• Train the relevant finance staff on the month-end accounting close process and adjustments, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the ledger entries and all supporting documentation within the country; train team on maintenance of hard and soft copy of accounting records as per MC policies and local law requirements
• Train and support field finance officers with the aim to reduce coding errors, build their capacity and increase efficiency across the team.
• Support to audit efforts from accounting function, both internal & external audits; Assist the Finance Director in responding to audit inquiries.
• Other duties as assigned
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Team Management:

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular feedback.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Provide team members with information, work plan, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options, take ownership and be accountable.
• Ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Abuja Finance Officer(s); Finance Assistant(s) and Interns

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: Finance and Compliance Director
• Works Directly With: Finance Managers, Field Finance/Accounting staff, Program staff, HR and Operations staff, HQ IFOs / AFOs, Sub-award Unit

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• A University Degree in Accounting or equivalent certification is required (CPA, ACA or ACCA preferable).
• Five years of experience in the Finance Department of an international NGO is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience training others on financial systems.
• Four or more years of general ledger accounting experience is required.
• Demonstrated competency with computerized general ledger software.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Prior management experience and strong organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

Success Factors:

• The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. A high professional standard of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.
• Training will be a key output/success factor of this role to ensure that the Nigeria finance team are structured and properly trained to perform their functions with minimal oversight. The Accounting Manager must be willing to travel and spend a minimum of 20% of his/her time in Mercy Corps field offices.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

• The Accounting Manager is based in the capital city Abuja. Housing, health care, water, electricity, and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international and domestic travel options from Abuja Airport. Air travel is necessary to reach some field locations. Mobile phones services are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices and Guest Houses with some inconsistencies in the most remote sites. This position requires travel by air and road to field offices.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
• Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.