Finance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is a prominent non-profit organization established to alleviate poverty, promote well-being, and uphold dignity across 15 countries. The organization specializes in addressing challenges in fragile settings, including natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and chronic poverty. RI employs a dual approach that combines humanitarian aid with development strategies, ensuring immediate assistance while laying the groundwork for sustainable long-term impact. The organization emphasizes local participation, strategic partnerships, and the development of civic skills through its unique methodology known as the RI Way. This approach empowers communities to identify, design, and implement solutions tailored to their specific needs. RI operates under a unified management structure that includes four corporate members of the RI Alliance: RI-US, RI-UK, MRCA/RI-France, and RI-Europe, and has country offices registered as affiliates in an additional 15 countries, showcasing its extensive international presence and commitment to global humanitarian efforts.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer position at Relief International is a critical role that involves managing financial operations and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and donor regulations. The officer will report directly to the Finance Manager and will be responsible for a variety of financial tasks, including meticulous review of partner financial reports, internal reporting support, and year-end activities. The role requires a strong focus on accuracy and compliance, as the Finance Officer will assist in preparing financial statements and reports, manage bookkeeping tasks within the NetSuite accounting system, and ensure proper documentation and filing of financial records. The officer will also play a key role in tax compliance, including the calculation and submission of withholding taxes and other necessary tax returns. Overall, the Finance Officer is expected to contribute to the financial integrity and operational efficiency of the organization, supporting its mission to provide humanitarian assistance and development aid.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer will undertake a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Financial Reporting & Partnership Management: - Conduct meticulous reviews of partner organizations' monthly financial reports, ensuring compliance with sub-grant agreements and donor regulations. - Assist in preparing accurate month-end financial reporting packages, including Balance Sheet reconciliations. - Proactively resolve financial discrepancies in accordance with established procedures. - Support year-end closure activities and preparation of financial statements.
• General Ledger Management: - Accurately record all financial transactions in the NetSuite accounting system, including vendor bills, journal entries, and monthly liquidations. - Ensure systematic filing and archiving of both hardcopy and digital financial documents. - Maintain compliance with organizational policies and external audit standards.
• Payment Processing: - Review incoming Payment Request Forms and Working Cash Advance liquidations for accuracy. - Process payments securely via online banking, ensuring proper authorization.
• Cash, Bank, and Ledger Management: - Maintain and reconcile offline bank and cash ledgers with the NetSuite system. - Track and monitor Working Cash Advances to ensure timely liquidation.
• Philippine Tax Compliance: - Calculate and prepare withholding tax remittance forms and ensure timely submission to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). - Assist in preparing annual tax certificates and other necessary tax returns.
• Audit Support: - Assist in preparing financial documents for internal and external audits, ensuring all requirements are met.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field from a recognized university. Preference will be given to those who are Certified Public Accountants (CPA) or actively pursuing certification. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive professional experience in finance, accounting, or audit roles, preferably within an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO). Demonstrated experience with donor regulations and managing financial reporting for grant-funded projects is essential. Candidates must also have proven experience with Philippine tax laws and compliance, including hands-on experience with BIR tax calculations and submissions. Proficiency in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, particularly NetSuite, is highly advantageous, along with expert-level ability in applying standard accounting principles to bookkeeping and account reconciliation.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Finance Officer position includes a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree (BS/BA) in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field from a recognized university. Candidates who are Certified Public Accountants (CPA) or are in the process of obtaining their certification will be given preference, indicating a strong foundation in accounting principles and practices.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive professional experience in finance, accounting, or audit roles. Candidates should ideally have experience working within an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) and possess a solid understanding of NGO financial management, including familiarity with donor regulations and financial reporting for grant-funded projects. Proven experience with Philippine tax laws and compliance is also essential, particularly in relation to BIR tax calculations and submissions.

Languages:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English is the primary language required for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and based in Makati City, Philippines. The Finance Officer will be expected to work closely with various teams within the organization, including Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Program teams. The role may involve occasional travel to field offices as required. Compensation and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience, in line with the organization's policies and standards.