Programme Accountant at Trocaire

Key Responsibilities:

Finance and Governance in Partner Organisations

• Facilitate review of partner financial reports alongside programme team members incl. the Finance Officer in Sudan and ensure that Trócaire and donor requirements are being met.
• Review Trócaire records ensuring that partner financial reporting is up to date and properly maintained, in accordance with Trócaire and donor requirements.
• Conduct a continuous process to appraise partner organisations financial controls and systems in line with the Trócaire partner governance and finance manual. This will include field visits, desk audits and other methods as appropriate. Ensure recommendations are implemented in agreement with the partner.
• Provide expenditure reports and support in design of accounting and reporting systems, design of spreadsheets, training and on-going to the finance and accounts departments of partner organisations to enable them to produce and submit accurate financial guidance.
• Participate in all programme team meetings to ensure a full understanding of all programme work and any financial implications arising.
• Ensure monthly and annual partner capacity building assessment report is submitted to the Area manager, finance and administration manager and the international accountant.
• Participate in delivering training to partners on compliance with donors’ financial requirements.
• In the event of a major issue in relation to financial management at partner level, especially in the management of donor funds, the programme accountant may be required to be deployed to a partner organisation to ensure that financial management and reporting are carried out in accordance with Trócaire and donor requirements.

Financial Control and Reporting

• Coordinate and develop quarterly donor reports for all partners. Ensure that donor reporting meets all donor financial reporting requirements.

• Lead in project audit preparations in collaboration with partners and external auditors, and in the implementation of recommendations both internally and with partners.
• Ensure that the programme team’s finance activities meet the financial reporting requirements and deadlines as specified by the Finance and Administration Manager 
• Guided by the Finance and Administration Manager, ensure that the relevant Trócaire organisational financial policies and procedures are adhered to and implemented in a standardized manner across all of the country programmes.
• Closely monitor all finance programme activities, keep the Area Manager and the Finance and Administration Manager updated and advised of all situations which have the potential for a negative impact on internal controls or financial management.
• Assist with investigations into alleged fraud or irregularities at partner organisations.
• Ensure proper uploading and saving all partner and donor reports and documentation on the system server, Saleforce and in hard copy form in files.

Budgeting

• Support the Finance and Admin Manager, Area Manager and other budget holders in conducting the budget process for the country programmes, ensuring that appropriate levels of technical support and guidance are provided to all budget holders during the process of preparing the budget and subsequent reviews and revisions.
• Participate in the preparation of donor budgets; ensure compliance with donor regulations and ensure that donor budgets are incorporated into the country budget & budget revisions
• Review with all programme budget holders’ monthly reports as available on Agresso Business World and facilitate with programme staff follow up of any issues or variances arising.

Internal systems and Processes

• Suggest improvement of work processes and increase efficiency within the programme function.
• Ensure the establishment and maintenance of a donor financial management system in order to ensure efficient & accurate reporting to donors.

Staff Capacity Building

• Provide technical financial advice and expertise to the country programme teams.
• Facilitate and assist Finance and Administration Manager in providing basic training and guidance to the country program staff for skills improvement in the areas of budget preparation and monitoring, budget revision, reporting, and internal controls.
• Assist in the induction and orientation of country programme staff.

Requirements

Experience:

• Three years’ experience in accounting/finance in the international development and humanitarian sector.
• Experience in managing budgets for donor funded programmes.
• Prior knowledge of donor rules and regulations including Irish Aid, UN Agencies incl. UNICEF and WFP, EU and other relevant institutional donors and trusts/foundations.
• Experience working with finance systems such as Agresso, SAP and others.
• Working experience with national partners/ local in capacity building, financial reporting and budget management.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in commerce, finance or business management.
• Certification in CPA(K), ACCA or CIMA required.