The Finance Officer is part of an integral team implementing CDF Canada’s international development programs within the framework of organizational strategies, policies, procedures and goals. The Finance Officer collaborates with all levels of staff in both CDF Canada headquarters and overseas office, providing financial support, supporting the program team, and supporting and monitoring project financial performance and variances in budget.

The Finance Officer supports the Country Manager with the annual budgeting and reporting process, the development and/or evaluation of field office financial systems and controls and the development of suitable reporting systems for each project.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides financial support and advice to project team in HQ and overseas.
• Supports and reviews financial results and effectively advises Country Manager of variances or recommends actions.
• Identifies deviations from the approved budget that could hinder or impede the achievement of project objectives and advises the Country Manager accordingly.
• Coordinates with staff assigned to the project to ensure accurate and timely transfer of funds and reception of financial reports and, if applicable, volunteer timesheets.
• Participates in the development of annual work plans and budgets for projects.
• Ensures accurate and timely inclusion of assigned financial reporting at the request of the Country Manager.
• Verifies payment requests and advances to country manager & partners for accuracy and correctness of transfer information.
• Tracks advance provided to partners, staff, consultants, and volunteers, ensuring that outstanding advances are cleared before new advances are issued.
• Review all related business expense claims for authorization & accuracy. Verifies coding and compliance with funder agreements.
• Ensures that the claim is confirmed by appropriate supporting documentation.
• Receives and reviews financial reports from CDF’s overseas offices and partners. Verifies the general ledger, reconciliations (project bank accounts, advances), other relevant reports, foreign exchange rate calculation, and coding of budget lines.
• Bring any errors and discrepancies to the attention of the Country Manager.
• Prepares monthly journal entries to incorporate the financial activities into CDF’s books.
• Maintains project financial files.
• Responds to internal & external requests for project financial information at the transactional level.
• Provides assistance & support for project-related matters during year-end and compliance audits.
• Assists Country Manager with:
  • Annual budgeting processes as well as the funder reporting.
  • The development and/or evaluation of field systems and controls.
  • The development of a suitable reporting system for each project.

COMPETENCIES

• Extremely organized and detail-oriented with a talent for multi-tasking.
• Excellent analytic skills.
• Information management – ability to maintain financial systems, database platforms, update information and prepare reports using relevant data.
• Must be resourceful, respond quickly to daily needs, and able to hit the ground running.
• Exceptional interpersonal and group process skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Headquarters and project field staff.
• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, and trust.
• Good judgment and maturity, with an ability to identify and address organizational needs, make decisions, develop and justify recommendations, resolve conflicts and be responsive and clear with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Discretion and commitment to organizational reputation and confidentiality.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Minimum 3 years in a finance & accounting position in a non-profit organization, foundation, or government agency, preferably in an international development context.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with specialization in Accounting; Enrollment in CPA designation program is considered an asset.
• Advanced computer literacy, including experience in database management, spreadsheets and accounting software.
• Knowledge of the Sage Accounting system is desirable.
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting finance teams in overseas project offices with financial reporting and control systems and techniques.
• Knowledge of cooperative forms of enterprise is an asset.
• High level of proficiency in written and oral English.