Senior Accounting Officer At Ark Group

Location: Remote; Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey or UK, with occasional international travel to ARK offices

Reporting to: Deputy Finance Director

Contract type: Full-time, 1 year FTC renewable

Closing date: Monday 19th August 2024

About ARK

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity, and hope for the future.

We believe that resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and, ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

About the team

ARK’s Finance Team manage the financial operations and activities of the organisation, ensuring compliance with financial policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. The Finance department is essential in maintaining ARK’s financial sustainability, accountability, and transparency, thereby enabling the organisation to fulfil its mission and deliver impactful programs and projects.

About the role

The primary responsibility of the Senior Accounting Officer is to oversee and manage ARK’s accounting records by implementing financial procedures that align with compliance and donor requirements. This role ensures the accurate entry of financial records into the accounting system and handles the archiving of all supporting documentation, account reconciliations, preparation of the yearly financial statements, and training on the accounting software.

What you’ll be doing

• Review and verify source documents such as invoices and receipts in accordance with approval mechanisms and financial procedures.
• Record assigned financial transactions into regional accounting software (Acumatica/Microsoft Dynamics), including accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), general ledger (GL), cash, and bank transactions.
• Maintain general and subsidiary ledgers, AP, AR, depreciation, and scheduled records.
• Coordinate yearly financial statements by liaising with auditors.
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations, including the preparation and submission of tax returns, and stay informed about changes in tax laws that could impact the organisation.
• Provide guidance and necessary training to finance staff on accounting procedures, practices, policies, and compliance issues.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records and ensure they are easily accessible for auditing and reporting purposes.
• Execute monthly, quarterly, and yearly financial period closing tasks.
• Regularly update accounting policies and accounting software manuals.
• Maintain regular cash, bank, AP, and AR reconciliations.
• Ensure exchange rates are correctly and accurately reflected in accounting entries (multi-currency accounting).
• Liaise with local accountants/auditors on all issues and complete relevant tax procedures in coordination with an independent auditing firm (VAT and corporate tax).

Requirements

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance
• Demonstrable experience of practical accounting in an International Organisation/Company.
• Proficient in IT, with expertise in Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Proven expertise in utilising accounting software.
• Knowledgeable in IFRS Accounting Standards.
• Experienced in multi-currency accounting.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage complex projects, timelines, and resource.
• Ability to adapt effectively to changes in priorities, deadlines, or team dynamics.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Proficiency in adapting communication style to various audiences and contexts, demonstrating clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing to positive team dynamics.
• Strong commitment to ethics, adhering to moral principles and professional standards in all professional activities.

Desirable

• Accounting qualifications such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA
• Knowledge of financial rules and regulations for international donors such as HMG, USAID, Government of Canada
• Certified accountant or an equivalent finance-related qualification
• Experience overseeing accounting operations in a multi-currency environment.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Dynamics Business Central accounting software.

Benefits

Why join ARK?

• Comprehensive Benefits: Life and private medical insurance, communications allowance, flexible working.
• Impactful Work: Your expertise will directly impact the lives of those in need.
• Global Reach: Collaborate with international experts and local stakeholders.
• Innovation: Engage in pioneering solutions for sustainable change.

Our People

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organisations, journalism and the private sector.

An ARK Person Is:

Smart: We think deeply about things. We’re proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognise out limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren’t afraid to share our opinions and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is this committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related personnel are expected to share this commitment and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.