Finance Manager, Laos at ACDI/VOCA

Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Finance Manager, Laos

ACDI/VOCA is currently implementing a $12 million program entitled Laos Microenterprise, a five-year activity funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Activity is focused on strengthening the competitiveness of agricultural microenterprises in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Activity uses a comprehensive approach to spur enterprise competitiveness along targeted value chains by expanding access to and adoption of business skills, modern technologies and practices, finance, market linkages, and public-private dialogues.

ACDI/VOCA is seeking experienced professionals for a Finance Manager position. The selected candidate will be responsible for maintaining accounting systems, policies, procedures, financial controls, accounting standards, and records. The position will lead the application of fiscal controls and procedures for all accounting areas in accordance with USAID and Laos government regulations. Reporting to the Chief of Party and working in close collaboration with the headquarters accounting team, the Finance Manager position is responsible for financial management and administrative-accounting tasks to ensure the Activity is operating effectively and efficiently while supporting the project team to meet the required deliverables. The project operations are based in Xiengkhouang Province in Laos, remote work with frequent travel to Laos can be supported.

Responsibilities

• Maintain up-to-date books of accounts for the project. Ensure all expenses/financial transactions are properly coded according to the chart of accounts provided by HQ Finance and accounting and are compliant with applicable cost principles.
• Review QB entries entered by the accountant, prepare and process payroll-Labor Allocation, prepare monthly Accruals, prepare monthly cash advance requests, and ensure completeness of costs projections data.
• Ensure correct and timely payments to vendors, landlords, and service providers.
• Ensure that expenses posted are allowable, allocable, and in compliance with USAID, local government laws, and ACDI/VOCA regulations.
• Ensure payroll processing for local employees, including calculating, withholding, and recording & payment of all applicable income taxes and other social payments based on local tax rules and other ACDI/VOCA discretionary benefits. Prepare statutory payroll tax return reports for local tax authorities. Follow USAID and country Tax reporting and claim guidelines.
• Review and sign off vendor vouchers, bank payment vouchers, bank received vouchers, petty cash, replenishment vouchers, and journal vouchers.
• Maintain banking communication and coordinate with the bank’s relationship manager for the provision of banking services as necessary.
• Manage financial operations for budgets and forecasting, cash management, and financial reporting.
• Manage activities of the local accounting team to ensure that the field office’s financial and administrative matters are executed efficiently.
• Prepare Month-End Close package and submit the approved report to the Project Accounting Manager.

Qualifications

• Professional accreditation such as Chartered Certified Accountant (CCA), Certified International Management Accountant (CIMA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Expert Compatible (EC), or other recognized high-level national accounting professional certification is a must.
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting from an accredited institution. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in financial and accounting management. Experience working in an international non-governmental organization (NGO). Must have experience supporting complex programs with multi-sites, partners, and funders.
• Thorough knowledge of USAID’s rules and regulations pertaining to finance and accounting.
• Knowledge of either US accounting standards (GAAP), International Accounting Standards (IAS), or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to gather and analyze a variety of information pertaining to issues and to develop appropriate recommendations for action. Ability to define problems, collect data establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to communicate, negotiate, advise, persuade, or resolve issues that are highly complex and sensitive in nature.
• Strong written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to write required documents in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner.
• Proven ability to successfully manage a team of diverse individuals. Strong mentoring and teambuilding skills.
• Working knowledge of QuickBooks, Agresso, and other accounting software packages. Must have advanced proficiency level in Excel.
• Strong written and oral communication ability in English.