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 save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on various areas including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to improving the lives of the poor and vulnerable, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS welcomes individuals from diverse faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to service. The organization has a strong focus on ethical conduct and accountability, ensuring that all staff adhere to its Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.

Job Overview:
The Project/Grant Accountant plays a crucial role in the financial management of assigned grants, ensuring compliance with CRS accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), donor requirements, and legal regulations throughout the project lifecycle. This position is essential for maintaining the financial integrity of the project, which aims to strengthen national systems that protect vulnerable children and support families. The accountant will be responsible for managing project-specific financial transactions, including documentation, account verification, journal entries, analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis, and grant-level reporting. Collaboration with the project team is key to ensuring accurate budget monitoring and compliance with donor rules, ultimately supporting the achievement of project objectives. The accountant will also provide financial reporting services for either payable or receivable transactions related to the assigned grant, making this role integral to the project's success.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Project/Grant Accountant include:

• Setting and monitoring sound accounting and financial reporting procedures for grant subrecipients and partners, adhering to established standards.
• Ensuring the setup and maintenance of all data required for processing financial transactions for assigned grant accounts in the Oracle financial accounting package.
• Reviewing and validating supporting documentation before processing financial transactions to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Recording financial transactions following appropriate authorizations and reviewing various accounts to detect irregularities.
• Advising on corrective actions and preparing correcting entries and adjustments as necessary.
• Assessing, evaluating, and monitoring subrecipient financial management processes in accordance with policy and strengthening the capacity of partners in financial accounting and transactions.
• Monitoring disbursement and receipt schedules, alerting relevant grant staff of due payments and liquidations, and maintaining communication to facilitate timely financial resource management.
• Preparing various periodic and ad hoc financial reports and performing variance analysis to assist grant staff with decision-making.
• Assisting with budget maintenance for proper management of financial resources. 1
• Providing information to grant staff, subrecipients, and partners on financial accounting policies and procedural compliance issues, and delivering training and capacity-building activities. 1
• Performing assigned treasury grant duties, including cash payments and receipts, and cash forecasting, while ensuring segregation of duties.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Project/Grant Accountant position include:

• 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.
• A minimum of two to five years of experience in a similar role, preferably within an international or local NGO, or a financial or banking institution.
• Proficiency in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and web conferencing applications.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to detect and report inconsistencies.
• A conscientious, accurate, and thorough approach with great attention to detail.
• Ethical conduct in accordance with recognized professional and organizational codes of ethics.
• A proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, and results-oriented mindset.
• The ability to work collaboratively in diverse teams.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration with relevant accounting courses, or hold a professional accounting qualification such as CPA, ACCA, or an equivalent credential. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of financial management and compliance in the context of grant accounting.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two to five years of relevant experience in a role with similar responsibilities. This experience should preferably be gained in an international or local non-governmental organization (NGO) or within a financial or banking institution. The candidate should have a proven track record of managing financial transactions and reporting in compliance with donor regulations and organizational policies.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, and proficiency in Chichewa is also required. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is contingent upon the successful award of the project, and candidates should be aware that recruitment is dependent on this outcome. The role may involve travel up to 25%. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. For successful candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The anticipated duration of the assignment for expatriates will be informed by a term limit based on the job type and level, as well as the agency's needs. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and candidates are expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct.