Field Accountant (Somalia National)

Organisational background:

Action Against Hunger-Horn and Eastern Africa is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger Horn and Eastern Africa is an independent NGO, currently managing operations in Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $60 million in programs, and approximately 1,500 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices.

I. Summary of Position

The Field Accountant is a key member of the finance team. He/She will play a pivotal role in assuring adherence to financial policies, project policies and procedures, regulations, controls, and reporting systems. The Field Accountant maintain mission accountancy and ensure accurate and reliable financial information is readily available for HOD Finance to prepare financial analysis for the management and to generate financial reports based on internal deadlines. This position will ensure compliance of all accounting and financial reporting functions. Responsible for recording costs and day to day general accounting, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, risk management, partner’s financial reports, and assuring all backup documentation is readily available.

Purpose:

The Field Accountant serve as the custodian of the general ledger, related accounting transaction and supporting documents. The Field Accountant provide timely, comprehensive, and accurate financial reports and analysis to HOD Finance. The projects need to align to the Core Humanitarian standards as well as Action Against Hunger internal rules and regulations.

Engagement

Collaborate with the base Admin and Finance Officers on feasible weekly, monthly. The Field Accountant closely liaison with HOD Finance and ensure timely availability of financial information for analysis and report. Field Accountant will also liaison with Manager finance and ensure financial documentation (hard copies) is properly archived and complete in anticipation of audit as and when required. This position will work collaboratively with head quarter (HQ) staff but will report to Head of Finance Department.

Delivery

The Field Accountant maintain a system of internal accounting and system controls to safeguard Action Against Hunger assets and ensure financial data integrity. Accounting and Financial Reporting is committed to fulfilling our mission in an ethical, courteous, cost effective, and efficient manner.

II. Essential Job Duties/ Roles:

Mission 1: Check and correct the monthly accountancy from the bases and the capital

The FIeld Accountant is responsible for the corrections of all mission cash and bankbooks.

• Control that balances of the mission cash and bank books are consistent with cash counts, bank statement and reconciliation;
• Ensure all transactions entered in SAGA must be supported with appropriate documentation (eligibility of invoices and conformity of procedures);
• Check and explain the level of open advances at end of month;
• Correct possible misallocations and reallocate when necessary according to allocation tables, budget availability/ eligibility and accounting biannual closure;
• SAGA base management (once implemented on the base): integrate the base book on a weekly bases, liaise with Field Accountant to maintain updated parameters in SAGA, do the monthly Saga Base closure;
• Send all documentation to the Capital on a monthly base.

Mission 2: Consolidate on a monthly basis the mission accountancy

The Mission Accountant is responsible for the accounting reporting to HQ and the full management of the accounting software SAGA.

• Ensure that information in SAGA is exhaustive (updating when needed general parameters, SAGA version, Donor contracts and other information required to process the monthly closure);
• Import all mission books into SAGA software;
• Check the periodic payments due as of contracts (car, rentals, insurance…) and ensure corresponding charges are properly distributed on a monthly bases;
• Update the mission depreciation cards and book corresponding entries in SAGA;
• Ensure that expenses in-between missions are properly booked and liaise with Regional Finance Specialist for complete documentation before uploading transactions in SAGA;
• Follow up and document all advances and/ or Invoices not yet received – book corresponding entries;
• Integrate the HQ files, calculate the average rate and enter expatriate staff presence in Saga;
• Prepare and upload in SAGA the book of reallocations and corrections (OD);
• Report timely to management on the accounting closure and liaise with Finance HoD for final inputs and verifications before monthly closure;
• Edit the monthly bundle; liaise with HQ for mailing required documents and answer timely to monthly feedback

Mission 3: Support the bases on accounting procedures, ways of working and tools

• The Mission Accountant is responsible for the diffusion of accounting procedures within the mission.
• Inform regularly the bases on the accounting cycle (closure, mailing of books and documents), provide in advance schedules, ensure that deadlines must be respected and ask explanations on possible delays;
• Send monthly feedback to the bases on the quality of their accountancy and ways of improvement to meet ACF financial and administrative standards;
• Train the field finance teams on procedures and tools;
• Supervise and assist the proper implementation / use of SAGA base;
• Ensure that bases have updated Saga and parameters sending regular updates

Mission 4: Control the financial documentation and ensure the proper archiving of hard copies

• Supervise archiving: ensure it is up-to-date and that documents are properly stored
• Ensure that the required information and documents are collected, exhaustive and properly archived
• Follow-up on missing documents and ensure regular reminders.

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

Technical Supervision of Finance and Admin Officers of all basis.

IV. Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames.

V. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week.

VI. Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures.

VII. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• University degree in business or finance; Professional qualification in Accounting or Finance would add advantage.
• Minimum 5 years Finance experience preferably in INGO/NGO is mandatory.
• Sound knowledge of accounting procedures and principles.

VIII. Required Skills & Competencies

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and be initiative.
• Strong computer skills and ability to use standard computing packages such as word, excel, spreadsheets
• Strong team working and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in English
• Ability to plan ahead and output oriented.
• Self-motivated, result-driven and reliable.

How to apply

Applications, including CV with cover letter and 3 professional references to be sent via email to: [email protected] not later than 6 August 2022 clearly mentioning the position on the subject line. Field Accountant (Somalia National)

Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.