Finance Assistant - Borno at Mercy Corps

General Position Summary

Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Senior Finance Officer- Accounting and with close coordination with the program team, the Finance Assistant will assist MCN in adhering to the compliance procedures for financial, procurement, accounting process and ensure adequate internal controls are in place and in compliance with laws, regulations, donor requirements and Mercy Corps policies and procedures

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Assist the Senior Finance Officer to enhance the efficiency of the existing control system and ensure any identified compliance gaps are corrected.

• Enter transactions (PIs, GJs etc) into the accounting software accurately

• Ensure the accuracy of all Navigator recorded transactions by following Navigator entry procedures and by referencing coding against standard chart of accounts and coded budgets.

• Prepare Amortizations of prepaid expenses and tracking of prepaid benefits for compliance with policies and procedures.

• Prepare and reconciled the banks and cash for both Naira and USD

• Ensure compliance with GAAPs standard accounting practices

• Assist in Mail delivery to banks and other financial institutions, submission of cheques to the relevant government institutions for remittance of statutory returns

• Daily print out of payment vouchers for onward attachment to supporting documents.

• Ensure proper archiving of all documents.

• Weekly checking of all MCN Navigators entries against miscoding of LIN, Fund, Office, GL and following for corrections

• Maintain the AAM file with up-to-date signature specimen

• Give maximum support towards a successful month and year-end process.

• Always imbibe the culture of audit readiness

• Make sure all income taxes, withholding taxes and other taxes are withheld and paid accordingly.

• Be adaptable and flexible to take on new tasks and new assignments as requested from time to time.

• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor or designee.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by the country leadership.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility: None. 

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Finance Officer 

Works Directly With: Finance & Compliance department in Abuja, program and operational teams in Nigeria.

Knowledge and Experience

• Two or more years of accounting or bookkeeping experience, including experience with double-entry accounting

• A degree in accounting or a relevant business field

• Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel

• Familiarity with computerized, double-entry accounting software

• Strong organizational skills as well as attention to detail

• Excellent oral and written English skills

Success Factors

A clear understanding of finance, accounting, organizational skills as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The ability to interact effectively with international and national staff members is required. A demonstrated ability to work quickly and accurately, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. 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.