Finance & Accounting Officer at International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:   

Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Finance & Accounting Officer is responsible for preparing financial reports and maintain good accounts records of expenditure and payments and other financial activities. The Finance & Accounting Officer will provide support and services to the IFES-Nigeria field office. 
 
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Analyzing financial activities, ensuring compliance with GAAP and Nigerian legal requirements;
• Ensuring compliance with Accounting Principles, Nigerian Tax Laws and other Statutory Deductions;
• Review financial paperwork and procedures, provide recommendations and make necessary changes before sending for approval;
• Ensure all expenses are properly coded and correctly supported by proper documentation;
• Prepare payments, bank transfers and do bank transactions;
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly and year end closure of accounts, including bank reconciliation and submit report to the Finance Manager;
• Analyze cost allocations to various projects as assigned by Level of Efforts (LOE);
• Review timesheets and prepare bi-weekly payroll for IFES Nigeria staff;
• Ensure timely and effective follow up and response to comments received from Finance HQ;
• Ensure Account Receivable account is reconciled monthly, outstanding balances cleared and booked in the accounting system;
• Ensure Withholding Tax accounts for both vendors and individual are timely and accurately reconciled and are all cleared in the following month;
• Prepare disbursement vouchers and resolve accounting discrepancies and other financial related issues;
• Provide finance and other administrative guidance to program activities during trainings and workshops;
• Maintain personnel files with timesheet and vacation information and monthly accrue leave vacation for IFES Nigeria staff;
• Periodically, advise IFES Nigeria staff on leave balances;
• Monthly, liaise with Banks and obtain monthly bank statements and/or when is needed;
• Prepare and reimburse for event participants and reconcile event expenses;
• Assist in evaluating sub-grant proposals and budgets, review sub-grant financial reports to ensure compliance with terms of sub-grant and liaising with sub-grantee(s) where and when necessary;
•  Assist in providing training as needed to sub-grantee on IFES sub-grantsand USAID financial regulations;
• Supervise Finance and Accounting Coordinator;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SKILLS and SPECIFICATIONS 

• High level attention to detail and accuracy;
• The ability to remain organized while handling multiple tasks under tight deadlines; 
•  Ability to complete tasks with minimum supervision; 
• Flexible, creative, responsive, able to take initiative, open to learning and customer oriented;
• Must value operating in a professional, collaborative and cooperative environment; 
• Ability to show initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness.
• Able to work independently and multi-task and meet deadlines; 

Qualifications and Experience 

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and/or Finance is required;
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in Finance and/or Accounting;
• Familiarity of USAID policies and procedures;
• Good oral and written communication skills;
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft (Word, Excel and Power Point);
• Able to work with QuickBooks with minimum supervision.

Others

• LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Proficiency in English language required. 
• TRAVEL:  Travel is required.
• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT: Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.