Accounts Manager 61 views0 applications

Post level: Nationally Recruited Staff

Type of contract: Fixed term 1 year (option to renew based on performance and budget)

Language(s) required: English (native/fluent writing and oral skills)

The Accounts Manager leads the finance function in WorldFish Malawi Office. This role includes:

• Implementing strategic financial decisions.
• Ensuring that proper accounting and bookkeeping procedures are performed in accordance with international accounting standards.
• Providing timely and accurate financial reports to management and donors.
• Ensuring that WorldFish’ policies and guidelines, and donors’ rules and regulations are adhered to.

The Accounts Manager is also responsible for the supervision of finance staff in Malawi, as well as providing training and supporting the wider stakeholders as and when needed. S/he is expected to work collaboratively with colleagues in and outside Malawi, staff at donor/partner organizations, government, bank officials and any other stakeholders, to deliver organization and project outcomes.

The successful candidate will:

• Successfully manage all financial and accounting matters for Malawi including accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash flow forecasting, monthly journals, accruals, etc.
• Successfully manage end of month process and monitor outstanding items on a regular basis, such as trial balance reviews, advance payments, deposits, travel & expenses, credit card expenses, debtors, creditors, cash journals, unconverted sales orders, assets and liquidations).
• Analysis and timely closure of all open items, monthly general ledger reconciliation reports including bank reconciliations.
• Supervise finance staff in Malawi and ensure that local finance and accounting procedures comply with international accounting standards and donors’ reporting and operational requirements (particularly procurement requirements).
• Assist Country Director and Project Leaders in proposal developments and/or contract negotiations, and proposal budgeting. Monitoring and Reviewing of spending levels for the Malawi cost center budget.
• Ensure efficient implementation of One Corporate System (OCS) modules relating to financial processes in Malawi Office, including establishing and implementing capacity and knowledge building programs with staff, and identifying emerging challenges and opportunities including the resolution of any problems arising during this process.
• Directly support Project Leaders in financial and resources management, including project FTE cost calculation, budget creations and revisions, certifying and submitting reports on bilateral grant projects according to specific donor rules and requirements.
• Maintaining and monitoring cash flow of projects to ensure adequate fund balance to run projects including timely requests for funds to HQ.
• Coordinate and respond to external and internal audits (related to banking, accounting, budget and finance), and ensure that all audit recommendations are followed up and implemented on a timely basis.
• Responsible for proper maintenance of all finance files and their archiving.

Requirements

This job might be for you if you have the following skills and experience

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Accounting or relevant qualifications.
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant work experience of which at least 2 years are from a similar managerial role.
• Excellent working knowledge of accounting processes and management.
• Strong leadership skills, particularly with regards to team capacity building and able to manage diversity and gender issues. The position holder must demonstrate that he/she is able to make high-level decisions on a timely basis, set priorities, meet deadlines and solve problems.
• Must be conversant with international accounting standards i.e. IFRS/IAS and donor rules and regulations (USAID/EU) relating to project/program accounting and financial reporting.
• Should be knowledgeable in local laws and regulations i.e. labour laws, business/contract law and tax legislation.
• Hands-on experience with reputable ERP systems such as Oracle and SAP; and have working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Teams applications.
• Good command of English (both verbal and written).
• Strong sense of professionalism, business ethics and integrity.
• Ability to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines with minimum supervision.

Ideally, the candidate may also bring these skills:

• Experience working for USAID/EU funded projects in similar capacity including facilitating donor audits and implementing audit recommendations.
• A full member of an international professional accountancy body (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, CPA), with minimum 3 years in a people manager’s role.