Project / Grant Accountant

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to provide relief and development assistance to those in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization is dedicated to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS's mission encompasses a wide range of programs, including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. The agency is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, ensuring that its processes and policies reflect this commitment. CRS fosters a collaborative, mission-driven culture and welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and dedication to service. The organization employs a diverse workforce and prioritizes candidates from the regions in which it operates, reflecting its commitment to local engagement and empowerment.

Job Overview:
The Project / Grant Accountant plays a crucial role in supporting the financial management of assigned projects and grants. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with CRS accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donor requirements, and legal regulations throughout the project life cycle. The accountant will focus on project-specific financial transactions, which include timely documentation, account verification, preparation of journal entries, analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis, and grant-level reporting. The role requires close collaboration with the project team to ensure accurate budget monitoring and compliance with donor rules, ultimately providing effective financial support to achieve project objectives. The accountant will also be involved in training and capacity building for project staff and partners, ensuring that all financial processes are understood and adhered to, thereby enhancing the overall financial management of the projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project / Grant Accountant will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to: setting and monitoring sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for project/grant subrecipients and partners; ensuring the setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) financial accounting package; reviewing and validating supporting documentation before processing financial transactions to ensure accuracy and completeness; recording financial transactions following appropriate authorizations; reviewing and analyzing various accounts to detect irregularities and advising on corrective actions; assessing, evaluating, and monitoring subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy; monitoring disbursement and receipt schedules, alerting relevant project staff of due payments and maintaining communication to facilitate timely financial resource management; preparing periodic and ad hoc financial reports and performing variance analysis to assist project staff with decision-making; assisting with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources; providing information to project staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues; delivering training and capacity-building activities; and performing assigned treasury duties such as cash payments and forecasts, ensuring segregation of duties is maintained.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a B.A. degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting such as CPA/ACCA or equivalent. Additionally, a minimum of two years of experience in a similar role is required, preferably within an international or local NGO context. The ideal candidate should demonstrate excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, ethical conduct, and the ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams. Proficiency in MS Office packages, particularly Excel, is essential, and knowledge of public donor regulations is preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with relevant coursework in accounting, or a recognized accounting qualification such as CPA or ACCA. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of financial management within the context of project and grant accounting.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant experience in a role with similar responsibilities. This experience should ideally be gained in an international or local non-governmental organization (NGO) setting, where the candidate has been involved in financial management, accounting practices, and compliance with donor regulations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication is essential for collaboration with project teams, partners, and stakeholders. While not explicitly stated, proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if it aligns with the regions where CRS operates.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Tamale, Ghana, and may require the successful candidate to travel up to 20% of the time. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages will be based on the country of employment. The organization emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate will be expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct. The recruitment process reflects CRS's dedication to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly vulnerable populations.