Project/Grant Accountant at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Summary: 

You will help coordinate and contribute to the implementation of the KfW Stabilization and Reconciliation in the Lake Chad Region (STaR) Projet policies and procedures in compliance with CRS’ established accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donors’ rules and regulations, and legal requirements to support high-quality programs serving the poor and vulnerable. You will efficiently perform accounting services through documenting the KfW STaR Project financial transactions by compiling, analyzing, and verifying account information, preparing account entries, and delivering financial reporting services throughout the KfW STaR Project life cycle.

Note: Depending on the project (scope and complexity), the Project Grant Accountant can be assigned responsibility for delivery of accounting and financial reporting services for either payable or receivable transactions.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Set and monitor sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for KfW STaR Project subrecipients and partners following established standards. Ensure setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned KfW STaR Project accounts in Insight financial accounting package.
• Review and validate supporting documentation before processing of financial transactions to ensure all required documents are accurate and complete and authorizations are in place. 
• Record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations. Review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities. Advise on corrective actions and prepare correcting entries and adjustments, as necessary.
• Assess, evaluate and monitor subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthen capacity of partner in financial accounting and transactions.
• Monitor disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant KfW STaR Project staff of due payments/liquidations and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set deadlines.
• Prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist KfW STaR Project staff with decision-making. Assist with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources.
• Provide information to KfW STaR Project staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues and deliver training and other capacity building activities.
• Perform assigned treasury KfW STaR Project (cash payment/receipt, cash forecast, etc.) duties, as long as segregation of duties is ensured.

Required Languages - English. A knowledge of Hausa will be an added advantage.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 20%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent analytical skills with ability to detect and report inconsistencies.
• Conscientious, accurate and thorough with great attention to detail
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions oriented and results oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the relevant public donor regulations preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications. Knowledge of Insight (Oracle) financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: STaR Program Manager II, Component Leads, Award Management Officer, STaR Chief of Party, Head of Finance and Grants, Supply chain Manager, Administrative Officer, HR Officer, Internal Auditors.
• External: Subrecipients, Suppliers and External Auditors.

 Basic Qualifications

• B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a position with similar responsibilities, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution.