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 respond to the needs of the most vulnerable populations, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. With a mission to save, protect, and transform lives, CRS is committed to serving individuals in need without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization emphasizes safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes staff from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values. CRS has a robust talent acquisition process that reflects its commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people, especially children and vulnerable adults.

Job Overview:
The Project/Grant Accountant plays a crucial role in supporting the financial management of assigned projects and grants. This position ensures adherence to 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. Depending on the complexity of the project/grant portfolio, the accountant may be responsible for either payable or receivable transactions, which adds a layer of responsibility and requires a keen understanding of financial processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Project/Grant Accountant include setting and monitoring sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for project/grant sub-recipients and partners, ensuring compliance with established standards. The accountant will be responsible for the setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned project/grant accounts in the Insight financial accounting package. This includes reviewing and validating supporting documentation before processing financial transactions to ensure accuracy and completeness, as well as ensuring that all necessary authorizations are in place. The accountant will record financial transactions following appropriate authorizations and will review and analyze various accounts to detect irregularities, advising on corrective actions and preparing correcting entries and adjustments as necessary. Additionally, the accountant will oversee and lead the financial close-out of global projects, assess and monitor sub-recipient financial management processes, and strengthen the capacity of partners in financial accounting and transactions. The role also involves monitoring disbursement and receipt schedules, alerting relevant project/grant staff of due payments and liquidations, and maintaining a reporting tracking and communications system to ensure adherence to reporting deadlines and donor-approved changes in grant procedures. The accountant will prepare various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and perform variance analysis to assist project/grant staff with decision-making. Furthermore, the accountant will develop tools, operations manuals, and communication strategies to ensure that global grant staff and sub-recipients are aware of and implement donor policies on compliance issues such as timekeeping, travel, and procurement. Training and capacity-building activities will also be part of the accountant's responsibilities, providing oversight in the development of cost applications and ensuring that budgets are reasonable, accurate, and reflective of the costs required to successfully carry out the program.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with courses in accounting, or a qualification in accounting such as CPA/ACCA or equivalent. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years' experience in a similar role, preferably with an international or local NGO, or a financial/banking institution. Knowledge of relevant public donor regulations is preferred, as well as familiarity with the SunSystems financial accounting package or similar financial reporting software. Proficiency in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and web conferencing applications is also required. Candidates should possess excellent analytical skills with the ability to detect and report inconsistencies, and must demonstrate conscientiousness, accuracy, and thoroughness with great attention to detail. Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics is essential, along with a proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented approach. The ability to work collaboratively is also a key requirement.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration, with specific courses in accounting. Alternatively, a qualification in accounting such as CPA/ACCA or an equivalent certification is acceptable. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of financial management and compliance within the context of project and grant accounting.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in a role with similar responsibilities. This experience should preferably be within an international or local NGO, or in a financial or banking institution. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing financial transactions and reporting, as well as a strong understanding of donor regulations and compliance requirements.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is French. Proficiency in English is considered an asset, which may enhance communication and collaboration with international teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position does not specify a deadline for applications. The role does not include supervisory responsibilities. The successful candidate may be required to travel up to 25% of the time. Catholic Relief Services prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates is informed by a term limit based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct, reflecting the organization's commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals.