Finance Officer at CARE International

Job Summary

• CARE is seeking a Finance Officer to support the successful management and implementation of the Regreening Africa II project. The Finance officer will be responsible for multitask responsibility on the project, including acting as the focal person for all financial issues related to the sub office, cash and treasury management, and Analysis of expenses. The position performs all banking activities for the sub office. He / She is to ensure that CARE Nigeria financial policies, regulations and procedures are followed in all financial transactions and the review of travel advances (TERs), Payment Requests etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

Review all entries

• Control the accounting documents received by the accounting department: check that the codifications and documentation are made in accordance with the CARE Nigeria procedures and chart of accounts
• Proceed the request of the registration of the accounting documents (payment request, petty cash and the liquidation of advances) in the appropriate module of People Soft
• Pull the voucher (Make sure that all payment packages are complete and correct) and bring it to the Finance &Compliance Manager for review.
• Process payment requests within 72 hours of filing with the Accounting Department.
• Controlling advance payments and the Travel Expenses Report (TER) submitted to accounting.
• Perform a systematic check of outstanding advances before recording the recording of a project advance request.
• Monitor monthly the status of unliquidated advances.
• Actively participate in the work of the monthly and annual closing (Soft and hard close) in accordance with the action plan established annually
• Respond to SSC requests within 48 hours.
• Generally, respect and enforce CARE-Nigeria's financial and accounting policies and procedures.

Financial Support to Non- Finance staff

• Provide technical support (capacity building) to non- finance staff in financial management, internal control, and reporting.
• Provide support to the Operations unit on compliance with policies, procedure.
• Provide support to budget holder and project leads on expenditure monitoring and spending.
• Provide support to the grants officer( if applicable).
• Provide technical support to People & Culture on calculation of PIT,NSITF,NHF and other statutory deductions.
• Act as STATE focal person on finance related matters.

Archiving and Auditing

• Check that the accounting documents and the supports have the required signatures, before filing
• Classify the day-to-day accounting documents in the timetables provided for this purpose
• Ensure proper archiving of accounting documents
• Regulate access to archived records
• Assist in the monitoring and liquidation of various advances (projects, CARE staff, suppliers)
• Assist in the liquidation of items in bank reconciliation (unpaid vouchers)
• Analyze problems arising in the accounting process, and make suggestions for improvement to the supervisor
• Carry out monthly and unannounced petty cash checks
• Actively participate in the preparation and conduct of accounting audits
• Ensure implementation of audit recommendations

Ensure timely preparation of month end and other reports

• Support in the month end closing process.
• Prepare ex-staff quit claims.
• Review all documents before payment.
• Act as the WARMU focal person in all finance related issues.
• Prepare and update staff pensions fund monthly and ensure payment made promptly.
• Support the FINANCE COORDINATOR in responding to audit queries. 
• Prepare donor financial report

Participate in the internal control and review of the Country office books and accounts

• Prepare monthly sub ledgers for balance sheet account and prepare appropriate correction.
• Review Travel Expense Reports (TERs) of staff
• Review requisitions where appropriate
• Reconcile and regularize the transit account
• Prepare monthly income tax, withholding tax and pensions contributions of staff for payment to the appropriate pensions’ funds
• Reconcile Tax and pensions accounts and initiate the necessary adjustment. 
• Monitor official receipt booklets
• Prepare the provision for severance benefits and other benefits payments (including international staff payments)
• Ensure periodic control and documentation of the petty cash
• Assist Logistics Officer to reconcile the country office Inventories with the asset account
• Assist in the preparation of Country Office budgets

Other Responsibilities:

• Support other activities as assigned
• Contribute to CARE’s resource mobilization efforts 

Requirements

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE/TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Required

• University degree in Accounting or Finance Management OR a combination of education and work experience.   
• 3 years progressively responsible experience in accounting, financial management of INGO and/or directly related area.
• Excellent Analytical skill 
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Good knowledge of accounting practice, policies and procedures   
• Proficient in use of Microsoft applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint & Outlook (or similar software)

Competencies:

• Approachability                               
• Building Effective Teams
• People centered
• Integrity and Trust
• Drive for Results
• Comfort around Higher management.
• Business Acumen
• Negotiating
• Organizational Agility