Accounting Consulting At American Friends Service Committee

ACCOUNTING CONSULTANCY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN MEXICO

General Responsibility: Ensure that the accounting and administrative procedures for our presence in Mexico are operated based on local legal requirements and consistent with AFSC’s regional procedures in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Team Purpose: Provide administrative and accounting support to the team present in Mexico and to the administrative-financial staff of the Regional Office.

Reports to: Regional Administrative and Financial Management.

ABOUT AFSC

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is an international Quaker organization that includes people of diverse faiths committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the principles of the Religious Society of Friends: a belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

The Religious Society of Friends was born in England in the 17th century as a resistance to the Catholic Church of the time, refusing to pay tithes, showing deference, and refusing to serve in the military. For these radical positions at the time, more than 50,000 Quakers, or “Friends,” as they called themselves, were imprisoned. At the time, the Quaker community could not agree on theology, but they agreed to work together in service guided by six values: simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship.

In this context, AFSC was formed as a means of resisting military service during the American Civil War and to provide options for alternative service: healing the wounds of war. It was formally founded in 1917 in the heat of World War I by Quakers seeking to serve humanity while remaining faithful to their commitment to nonviolence.

With over 100 years of experience building peace in diverse communities around the world, AFSC recognizes that peacebuilding requires more than resisting wars, and therefore seeks to change the situations and systems that lead to violence.

AFSC’s International Programs (Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East) conduct their work based on the Shared Security paradigm, which promotes the security and well-being of all people everywhere. This is an inclusive paradigm in which different actors are involved at all levels of the decision-making process, considering nonviolent options, and where the groups most affected by conflict have a voice and are part of the positive change in the policies, practices, and narratives that oppress them.

CONSULTANCY OVERVIEW

The consultant will be responsible for managing, fulfilling, and completing the administrative, accounting, financial, and labor processes related to our work in Mexico.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities of the consultancy will be as follows:

Financial and accounting management

• Responsible for loading operational information into the AFSC and country’s Accounting and Financial Software.
• Responsible for loading batches onto the corresponding banking platform.
• Responsible for filing all accounting, financial, and administrative records and documents.
• Ensure the proper application of the procedures established in the Administrative Procedures Manual.
• Monitor and periodically report on budget execution.
• Monitor compliance with the office’s accounts receivable and payable.
• Keep program settlements up to date as appropriate for the time periods.
• Manage the monthly Accounts Payable and General Ledger closing process for branch accounts within the region.
• Act as AFSC’s exclusive accountant in Mexico.

Regulatory compliance and audits

• Serve as the first contact to provide information to local and/or international auditors.
• Coordinate and lead the audit process for programs implemented in Mexico, establish contact with external auditors, and present the country’s financial audit for approval by the Regional Administrative and Financial Manager.
• Perform the functions and obligations of a compliance officer for government entities.
• Responsible, along with the Regional Administrative and Financial Manager, for ensuring that AFSC complies with local laws, employment standards, standards established by AFSC Global, and any other applicable international laws regarding accounting and financial matters.
• Establish contact with government authorities, as appropriate, to maintain AFSC’s record of its operations.
• Carry out and comply with administrative and accounting processes in government institutions such as the Mexican Social Security Institute, the Tax Administration Service, the Government of Mexico, etc.

Preparation of reports and financial statements

• Prepare and submit administrative and financial reports when required.
• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements.
• Review financial reports/settlements/funding requests from programs and offices when required and during settlement processes.
• Effectively communicate and present critical financial matters to the Regional Finance and Administration Manager.

Payment processes, payroll and tax obligations

• Responsible for preparing tax returns.
• Prepare monthly payroll for staff.
• Ensure timely recording and submission of payments, settlements, reports, etc.
• Coordination with partners and financial logistics.
• Coordinate the sending and receiving of administrative and accounting paperwork with partner institutions.
• Provide information and support to AFSC Mexico program staff on accounting, payment, and settlement matters.
• Responsible for maintaining transparency and accountability in financial and administrative matters.
• Perform any other reasonable duties related to AFSC’s work in the region, as directed by the GRAF.

Administrative and operational management

• Prepare and update inventory lists for the office.
• Maintain a level of confidentiality related to all responsibilities associated with the position.
• Monitor and implement logistics and management processes and procedures for various public and private institutions in Mexico.

Internal coordination and organization

• Work closely with the CNP.
• Stay organized and have excellent attention to detail.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:

Experience and core competencies:

An Accountant and/or Public Accounting studies are required.

• 3 years of work experience as an accountant for a non-profit organization.
• Proven experience working in financial and accounting support with community organizations, civil society, and/or international organizations will be an advantage.
• Verbal and written communication skills in English will be an added value.
• High competence in the organization and management of processes with special emphasis on attention to detail.
• Excellent computer skills and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook for data management and social research analysis.
• Analytical and conceptual skills.
• Excellent public and human relations skills; good judgment and a high level of discretion and diplomacy.
• Ability to ensure that your behavior and leadership reflect AFSC’s values, including innovation, collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and a decolonizing and empowering approach to organizational management.
• Ability to work in a team.

Other required skills

• Good computer skills.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changes and new requirements.
• Expertise in prioritizing and completing multiple tasks.
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as in a team environment.
• Ability to work in multi/cultural environments.
• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities.
• Social commitment, respect, and skills to work with diverse populations (LGBTIQ+, indigenous peoples, farmers, women, youth, among others) to promote their rights.
• Ability to create safe and secure spaces with the AFSC team.

WE OFFER

• Hiring for professional services.
• Private health insurance.
• A monthly payment of $25,000 MXN is offered, which includes taxes. The corresponding tax withholdings will be applied to this amount, according to the consultant’s tax regime. Therefore, the net amount received will be the sum of $25,000 less taxes. An invoice is required.

WORKPLACE

The responsible person will carry out their work remotely in Mexico City and the State of Mexico.

VALIDITY OF THE CONTRACT

6-month contract with renewal option.

EXPECTED PRODUCTS

The following products are expected monthly:

• Accounting financial report: DORA financial statements, DORA bank reconciliations, execution report.
• BC/DORA monthly comparison.
• Monthly tax returns.
• Compliance Report
• Monthly payroll calculation and processing.
• Administrative progress report.
• Activity report.