Finance & Accounting Officer at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) supports citizens’ rights to participate in free and fair elections. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions. Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries – from developing democracies, to mature democracies.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Finance & Accounting Officer

Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time

Primary Function / Purpose

• Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Finance & Accounting Officer is responsible for preparing financial reports and maintain good accounts records of expenditure and payments and other financial activities.
• The Finance & Accounting Officer will provide support and services to the IFES-Nigeria field office.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyzing financial activities, ensuring compliance with GAAP and Nigerian legal requirements;
• Ensuring compliance with Accounting Principles, Nigerian Tax Laws and other Statutory Deductions;
• Review financial paperwork and procedures, provide recommendations and make necessary changes before sending for approval;
• Provide finance and other administrative guidance to program activities during trainings and workshops;
• Maintain personnel files with timesheet and vacation information and monthly accrue leave vacation for IFES Nigeria staff;
• Periodically, advise IFES Nigeria staff on leave balances;
• Monthly, liaise with Banks and obtain monthly bank statements and/or when is needed;
• Prepare and reimburse for event participants and reconcile event expenses;
• Assist in evaluating sub-grant proposals and budgets, review sub-grant financial reports to ensure compliance with terms of sub-grant and liaising with sub-grantee(s) where and when necessary;
• Ensure all expenses are properly coded and correctly supported by proper documentation;
• Prepare payments, bank transfers and do bank transactions;
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly and year end closure of accounts, including bank reconciliation and submit report to the Finance Manager;
• Analyze cost allocations to various projects as assigned by Level of Efforts (LOE);
• Review timesheets and prepare bi-weekly payroll for IFES Nigeria staff;
• Ensure timely and effective follow up and response to comments received from Finance HQ;
• Ensure Account Receivable account is reconciled monthly, outstanding balances cleared and booked in the accounting system;
• Ensure Withholding Tax accounts for both vendors and individual are timely and accurately reconciled and are all cleared in the following month;
• Prepare disbursement vouchers and resolve accounting discrepancies and other financial related issues;
•  Assist in providing training as needed to sub-grantee on IFES sub-grantsand USAID financial regulations;
• Supervise Finance and Accounting Coordinator;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and/or Finance is required;
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft (Word, Excel and Power Point);
• Minimum of 4 years experience in Finance and/or Accounting;
• Familiarity of USAID policies and procedures;
• Good oral and written communication skills;
• Able to work with QuickBooks with minimum supervision.

Skills and Specifications:

• High level attention to detail and accuracy;
• The ability to remain organized while handling multiple tasks under tight deadlines;
•  Ability to complete tasks with minimum supervision;
• Flexible, creative, responsive, able to take initiative, open to learning and customer oriented;
• Must value operating in a professional, collaborative and cooperative environment;
• Ability to show initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness.
• Able to work independently and multi-task and meet deadlines;

Language Skills: Proficiency in English language required:

• Travel: Travel is required.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.