Roving Accountant at Concern Worldwide

Reports to: Overseas Finance Manager

Liaises with: All finance staff based in country office of deployment

Job location: After initial training in Dublin will be based Overseas

Pay Band: 5 (€49,167 – €57,843)

Contract: 1 Year Fixed Term Contract

Job Purpose: The Roving Accountant will be responsible for providing support to country finance teams and will be deployed to Concern country program offices, in various countries, on a temporary basis. The position includes constant international travel to developing countries and requires high flexibility in terms of physical movement from country to country and duration of assignments.

Key Responsibilities:

Temporarily assume the position of the country office’s Country Financial Controller (CFC), or other key finance positions within the organisation, until a permanent replacement can be identified and trained, support visits to in-situ CFCs, training visits, and assisting in the effective roll out of updates to Concern’s finance policies and procedures.

The CFCs functions include:

Financial Control

Maintain an effective & efficient system of internal controls which comply with Concern Worldwide’s financial guidelines.

Ensure that all financial records & accounts are compiled timely, accurately and in line with international accounting standards & donor regulations.

Ensure that the country financial operations comply with legal & statutory requirements e.g. audit & financial reporting to all relevant national authorities.

Ensure that country management prepares the annual & revised Country budget and donor budgets, as accurately as possible.**

Financial Reporting

Ensure timely & accurate preparation of monthly management accounts for budget-holders and Country Management to ensure that they can take appropriate action on any significant variances.

Ensure timely & accurate preparation of quarterly financial reports for Dublin (Financial Reporting Pack (FRP))

Ensure timely & accurate preparation of donor reports for external donors / agencies.

Reconcile all balance sheet items on a monthly basis, in accordance with Concern Worldwide policies & procedures

Finalise year-end accounts for external auditor and act as main Concern focal point during external audit process looking to ensure that the approved financial statements are delivered before the internal deadline.

Act as focal point for any in-country donor audits.

Provide any ad-hoc year reports for Dublin Finance.

Financial Systems

Ensure that country financial management systems & records are adequate in order to identify and protect the assets & interest of the organization.

Ensure that the systems in place, enhance, as far as possible, the efficiency & effectiveness of the manner in which assets are utilized.

Ensure that the global accounting package (as recommended by Concern HQ), is maintained in a proper manner, and utilized in an appropriate & effective manner.

Establish & maintain a donor financial management system in order to optimize funding & to ensure efficient & accurate reporting to donors.

Establish & maintain a mechanism for monitoring those grants given to partners, and ensure proper financial reporting & records of same, in line with donor guidelines, where necessary.

Ensure adequate controls over cash & bank management are constantly monitored & updated to minimize the risk of fraud or misappropriation.

Undertake regular field visits in order to assess the financial systems in place & implement improvements wherever needed.

Other functions of the role would include:

Ensured detailed handover notes as available at end of assignment to ensure next CFC can take up their role smoothly.

As required, provide induction training to incoming permanent CFC.

Provide training and support to financial and non-financial staff regarding Concern’s financial procedures and internal controls;

Meet with the respective Country Director and CFC at the beginning and end of each assignment to discuss to discuss the terms of reference and the findings;

Prepare a trip report for each assignment and submit to various stakeholders;

Carry out other tasks as required

Skills and Experience Required:

Essential:

ACA/ACCA/CIMA /CPA accredited, or equivalent professional degree

General management experience

Candidates should be self-motivated & have experience of planning & delegating work within a team environment

Must be computer literate with a comprehensive knowledge of MS Excel & accounting packages

Good communication & team building skills

Desirable:

Knowledge of development issues & concepts

Training & capacity building experience

Relevant overseas experience with an NGO

Knowledge of French language

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

Highly flexible and adaptable

Able to prioritise and handle a diverse workload with strict deadlines

Ability to work as part of a team

Analytical and problem solving skills

Ability to work under pressure

Methodical and thorough

Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity

Empathy with organisational goals

Proven management ability, including ability to motivate and develop skills of others

Computer competence

Patience & a sense of humour

Key Terms and Conditions:

The Roving Accountant will be an employee of Concern Worldwide Dublin and the contract of employment will be a fixed term contract of one year duration

When deployed overseas, accommodation and allowances to cover other expenses will be provided

The Roving Accountant will be entitled to 8 weeks annual leave

If working in an emergency field where there is an R+R policy in place, the Roving Accountant will be entitled to avail of it

All other terms and conditions will apply as per standard Dublin employees.