Job Description

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Finance Manager of Projects is responsible for financial management, reporting and risk management of the international development projects portfolio. In this capacity, this role will advise program managers on business matters related to the projects’ fiscal performance, including annual projections, forecasting, contractual issues, risk management as well as oversight of project accounting.

The Finance Manager for Projects will identify and see that project related financial issues are resolved.

This position is responsible for supervising and reporting on the accounting for donor-funded projects of the organization. The Finance Manager for Projects manages and assists cost proposals, budget modifications, field audits and donor audits.

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and donors; and to work respectfully with colleagues.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Finance Manager for Projects will work closely with program managers for donor-funded contracts and cooperative agreements to:

• Monitor/review and analyze project spending versus the donor-approved budget and the annual budget; provide accurate and timely reports; identify and resolve issues such as invoices, expense coding, burn rate, foreign exchange.
• Coordinate with project staff to regularly monitor obligated funding and prepare incremental funding requests for submission to donors.
• Prepare pipeline, forecast and accounts receivable reports.
• Preparing project forecasts to assist project management and for annual budget purposes.
• Prepare and or approve budget revisions for formal submission to donors, per programmatic inputs from project staff.
• Review and prepare quarterly internal revenue projections.
• Prepare cost-to-complete projections.
• Provide start-up and close-out assistance to field offices, including working with the local project field offices to adapt the field finance manual to local conditions and requirements.
• Ensure field office accountants’ preparation and performance on QuickBooks, policies & procedures, budget monitoring, donor and World Council compliance, internal controls, and procurement procedures.
• Review monthly field account transactions and supporting documentation and provide guidance to field accountants to ensure that all expenses are in accordance with GAAP, World Council policies, and funding donor regulations.
• Provide oversight of sub-award management by reviewing sub-award budgets, directing or assisting project staff to develop tools for monitoring of sub-awards and due diligence of partners.
• Monitor terms and conditions of major subcontracts and ensure that invoices are submitted and paid in a timely fashion.
• Track cost share requirements.
• Complete risk assessments on projects.
• Track specific award requirements related to compliance and financial management.
• Provide advice on financial management of awards such as: overspend, under spend, need for budget realignment and disallowed costs.
• Review cash advances. Process monthly cash advance requests and reconcile the accounts involved with the processed advances to the field offices.
• Manage the letter-of-credit relationship, and complete draw-downs of project funds.
• Assisting/coordinating schedules for special audits, such as with donors or regulatory agencies.
• Assist with implementing recommendations from financial reviews and/or audits and monitor progress of implementation of those recommendations, ensuring that recommendations are implemented across projects as applicable.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT:

• Work with program staff to prepare budgets for new projects, and cost proposals according to World Council policy and donor guidelines; work with business development teams on budget review, gathering corporate financial documents, and final submission of proposals.
• Create and/or review project budget proposals including, but not limited to:
  • Identification of costs for implementation, and monitoring
  • Summary of cost share or leverage,
  • Cost packet for subcontractors,
  • SF-425 forms,
  • Budget narrative including information for salaries, fringe benefits, per diems, other direct costs, M&E costs, seminars and conferences, equipment, cost share and leverage.

MANAGEMENT OF PROJECT ACCOUNTING:

Responsible for ensuring accuracy and timeliness of all aspects of accounting for donor projects including:

• Reviewing project submissions for accuracy and allowability, verifying foreign exchange and tax rate calculations and recording expenditures into corporate accounting software.
• Review and apply laws, donor guidelines, and internal policies to determine allowability and reasonableness of project expenditures.
• Produce periodic invoices and other forms per contract/donor specifications.
• Review detailed general ledger reports for accuracy, reasonableness and compliance.
• Produce project-specific reports such as donor financial reports, manager reports, and inventory schedules.
• Conduct project field audits.
• Review and verify monthly allowance schedules for project employees.
• Reconcile project advance accounts, local bank accounts, cash and balance sheets.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and can be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management deems necessary.

WHAT WE REQUIRE

• This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal & organizational skills. Specific requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree with concentration in accounting or finance required.
• Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years substantial and progressive accounting and financial management experience required, preferably in a donor funded p programs environment, including account reconciliation, financial reporting, analysis, budgeting, audit and experience supporting international field offices.
• Experience with project-based profit or non-profit organization required.
  • Knowledge of USAID regulations, policies, business practices, and reporting requirements, as well as direct experience managing the finances and operations of USAID-funded cooperative agreements and contracts required; experience with non-federal funders strongly preferred
• Demonstrable proficiency in a variety of accounting systems and related computer applications required (proficiency in Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks required and proficiency/familiarity with Acumatica strongly preferred).
• Strong analytical and numerical skills and aptitude for details and accuracy required.
• Ability to take initiative and to manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines.
• Ability to multitask and respond to and adapt to changing business needs, prioritize and manage workload under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, international team environment.
• Be able and willing to travel internationally as needed.
• Legal right to work in the US on a regular, full-time basis without the need of sponsorship for a visa.

TRAVEL: Up to 60 days per calendar year of travel (domestic / international) is required.

The World Council of Credit Unions provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.