Bookkeeper at USAID's Famine Early Warning Systems Network

Position Description and Location

• The Bookkeeper is responsible for all financial matters relating to the project, including managing the project’s accounting transactions and books, monitoring project budget expenditures, and assuring proper financial reporting.
• This is a remote position, but the Bookkeeper must be based in Abuja, Nigeria.

Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the Bookkeeper include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to be a strong team player.
• Present a professional demeanor and exercise professional judgment.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments; capable of making decisions that will foster timely completion of work.
• Excellent and demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail.
• Ability to perform well with minimal supervision.

Financial Management:

• Ensure that all transactions are processed in accordance with Chemonics policies and procedures.
• Administer financial and accounting operations including but not limited to preparing payment vouchers, maintaining or verifying petty cash transactions, and reconciling petty cash balances at least once a week.
• Maintaining bank balances and reconciling accounts on a monthly basis.
• Requesting funds through wire transfers on a monthly basis from home office.

Procurement and Inventory Management:

• Administer all project procurements and the inventory/maintenance of all equipment, materials, and supplies necessary to the execution of project activities.
• Verify vendor invoices and deliveries and ensure that all supporting documents are received and correct.
• Maintain equipment inventory, verifying all inventory items twice a year to ensure that the value of all items booked in Abacus under inventory accounts matches the total value indicated in the inventory report.
• Ensure all inventory items are labeled in accordance with U.S. government guidelines.
• Management of all vendor accounts.
• Review all vendor invoices for accuracy, monitor vendor balances, and issue and send checks signed by the Country Technical Lead (CTL) to appropriate beneficiaries.

Payroll and Personnel Expenses:

• Management of payroll, travel expenses, and expense reports.
• Prepare payroll and make disbursements in accordance with Chemonics policies and procedures.
• Monitor and track all personnel benefits including vacation and sick day balances and bonuses.
• Process and submit required tax documentation to accounting consulting firm and Chemonics office.
• Process travel advances to local staff and follow-up on outstanding balances.
• Verify and process expense reports generated by the staff.

Record Keeping:

• Enter accounting transactions into Abacus Accounting Software on a daily basis in accordance with Chemonics policies and procedures.
• Assist home office field accounting and project management staff in reconciling intercompany accounts.
• Respond without delays to home office accounting questions or concerns.
• Prepare backup documentation for each transaction before submitting to CTL for approval and issuing payment.
• Maintain organized virtual and hard copy records as needed documenting all transactions, approvals, and procurements, etc.

Financial Monitoring:

• Work with the CTL, Project Management Unit, and home office team in Washington, DC, to monitor the budget for project activities and staff level of effort in the country.
• Assist the technical departments with the financial monitoring of activities in the field according to established procedures and calendars, as needed.
• Contribute to the preparation of contractually required financial reports as needed, as well as any other financial reports required by Chemonics International.
• Upon financial audit, provide the support necessary to the auditors conducting the audit and assure the implementation of any audit-based recommendations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• Significant, directly related professional experience can substitute for education experience.
• At least two years of relevant experience in accounting and financial and procurement management, U.S. government projects preferred.
• Fluency in written and spoken English required, local language skills desirable.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office word processing and spreadsheets software required.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments and exercise professional judgment required.