Accountant for WASHFIN 2 Project

The USAID-funded Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Finance 2 (WASH-FIN 2) project, implemented by Tetra Tech International Development (International Development Jobs – Tetra Tech), is currently accepting expressions of interest from qualified candidates for a full time Accountant position for a planned new water and sanitation activity in Liberia. The position is expected to last approximately three (3) years and will be based in Monrovia, Liberia with required periodic travel upcountry.

Project Description: The WASH-FIN 2 Liberia activity is expected to support the Government of Liberia at both national and decentralized levels in its efforts to improve water and sanitation sector service provider performance and governance. Activities are expected to include technical assistance (TA) and grant support to strengthen the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) and additional individual water and sanitation service providers (WSSPs), including strengthening sector governance, accountability, and transparency within national institutions and LWSC. Examples of specific areas of support include: TA to improve management of existing contracts with the private sector for operation of piped water systems in secondary cities, including capacity building for operators and LWSC; support to improve utility corporate governance, management systems, and performance accountability; TA and capacity building for individual WSSPs in business planning, performance monitoring, customer engagement, and related technical and management systems to improve technical and financial sustainability; and development and implementation of in-kind grant support for catalytic small scale construction interventions such as solarization of pumping systems to boost cost recovery and climate resilience.

Position Description: The WASH-FIN 2 Liberia Accountant is responsible for processing all types of financial transactions including data entry, payments & banking, using the accounting package and assisting the Administration and Finance Manager (AFM) in all areas of financial accounting and financial control. The Accountant will report to and support the AFM with other finance-related tasks, as directed.

Responsibilities:

* Manage the project’s accounting financial system, including support in the preparation of expense projections, cash requirements and requests for funds to the parent company, managing cash flow and keeping track of expenses;

* Support the supervision of the project office with regard to banking operations, petty cash, advances for travel expenses, cash handling, etc., ensuring that cash needs are met on time;

* Review various accounting transactions, e. g., payroll, final payments, payment to subcontractors and consultants, travel claims, etc., to ensure correctness of disbursements and adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations and rules, administrative instructions and practices;

* Ensure that disbursements/payments are correctly calculated and made in accordance with the internal rules and policies of the WASH-FIN 2 project, Tetra Tech and USAID regulations and systems;

* Reconcile bank statements for all funds in foreign and local currencies; record all payments and transactions in the QuickBooks System; enter transactions into Salesforce; close accounts; confidentially handle payroll payments, taxes, insurance, and any other payments to the local authorities for taxes and others; manage VAT tax exemption processes and prepare related monthly reports for AFM review and onward submittal to USAID;

* Consult with and respond to the Accountant of the Project in headquarters in everything related to local accounting: receipts and invoices supporting expenses, unliquidated travel advances, entries in QuickBooks, cash handling of WASH-FIN 2 offices, monthly reports, etc.

* Keep documents/reports/guide/files complete and current; support with carrying out the annual physical inventory of the Project; ensure that lease payments are made on time for all project offices;

* Ensure that travel expense reports are prepared by employees within the established period, completed correctly, and that travel expenses are reconciled according to the procedures and policies established by the project and/or Tetra Tech;

* Ensure that all disbursement vouchers are entered and saved in Egnyte and on Salesforce on monthly basis; draft purchase orders, service agreements and other contractual and compliance-related documents as needed; assist in negotiations with vendors regarding prices and terms of agreement/procurement;

* Maintain and regularly update accounting and financial control systems in accordance with U.S government regulations (expenses are reasonable, allowable and allocable) and ensuring Tetra Tech policy transactions are conducted, processed and recorded as stipulated by the system.

Qualifications:

* Minimum bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or similar field is (relevant experience and another university degree may substitute for the degrees mentioned); CPA preferred;

* Minimum five (5) years’ experience in accounting;

* Experience working with USAID projects and contractors;

* Experience with QuickBooks accounting software;

* Knowledgeable of local tax and withholding laws for domestic employees as well as for foreign personnel;

* Advanced spoken and written English; must be able to communicate fluently and effectively both verbally and in writing;

* High level of ethics and professional integrity;

* Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen and respect for colleagues;

* Must be capable of working both individually and as part of a team. Must also be able to create a supportive working relationship among all project teams.