Job Purpose and Role
We are seeking a Finance professional who can work with the utmost accountability and accuracy as
part of our senior financial management team. The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in streamlining processes and implementing systems. They should plan to work closely with the Director of Finance and Operations to maintain robust internal controls, ensure compliance with IFRS, Charity SORP and other statutory/ regulatory requirements and provide robust accounting advice to internal stakeholders. The post-holder should be able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and pay close attention to detail. It is essential that the candidate can communicate effectively across the organization at all levels, using language and terminology that is both accessible and empowering.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and complete an accurate book of accounts in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles and British Charities SORP and maintain complete oversight of the general and subsidiary accounting ledgers;
- Ensure financial transactions are fully supported, complete, accurate and consistent with organizational and donors’ standards.
- Lead in developing and implementing new accounting techniques and systems or in modifying existing methods and procedures suitable for the UK office (as we as Kabul and Provincial Offices as agreed).
- Manage daily activities of accounting and finance functions including timely recording of transactions, cash management, banking, assets, receivables, and payables.
- Reconcile the inter-branch account to ensure that all transactions have been identified and captured in the corresponding branch at the end of each month.
- Assist in preparation of the annual budget and work plans; monitor the effective implementation of the budget and work plan.
- Ensure safe custody of cash, documentation and other valuables in the UK Office finance section and coordinate weekly and monthly cash counts, including spot counts.
- Ensure the proper management of bank accounts and maintain regular communication with bankers.
- Assist HO finance with month end procedures and preparation of timely, accurate and complete monthly/quarterly and annual financial accounts, providing technical guidance as needed.
- Generate narrative reports detailing findings from analysis and proposed solutions for system improvements.
- Assist with period review of exchange movement and make recommendations to minimise the organisational foreign currency losses and maximise gains.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate AI and other new technologies into finance operations, streamlining processes and increasing efficiency.
- Provide training and support to team members on utilising new technologies and systems to improve financial operations.
- Facilitate in external and internal audits and compilation of annual audit file.
- Participate in finance meetings to ensure quality and compliance and address any financial questions.
- Visit Afghanaid’s Head Office in Kabul generally once per quarter, and provincial offices as required, to better understand the working environment and support and train team members.
- Undertake any other duties as and when required by the line manager and/or overview manager.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education & Professional Qualification
CCAB Recognised ACCA/ CIMA/ACA qualified / Diploma in Charity Accounting / CIPFA Certificate in Charity Finance & Accounting or substantial equivalent experience.
Work Experience
Strong practical/applied understanding of charity finance and the management of restricted and unrestricted income. Experience of managing payroll.
Professional Skills, Competencies, Values and Attitudes
Afghanaid seeks an excellent accountant, with strong financial management and reporting acumen; combined with curiosity and initiative, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and sound judgement and decision-making skills.
Specifically, the holder of this position should also demonstrate the following:
- Native fluency in written English, with a demonstrable ability to write and lay out high quality documents and reports for diverse audiences.
- Proficient in budget development, monitoring & control as well as financial reporting and analysis.
- Excellent conceptual and analytical skills able to distil key ideas with clarity and precision.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to persuasively present ideas.
- Ability to lead and influence others with diplomacy and tact.
- High-level proficiency in relevant ERP software packages and office applications, including spreadsheets, word processing, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Personal integrity with initiative and drive to get things done and achieve results in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
- An outgoing and engaging personality, with an awareness of cultural and gender sensitivities and a strong sense of humour; able to build trust, work and live collaboratively with others and manage relationships with a variety of stakeholders in a diverse multicultural environment.
- Strong organisational and coordination skills, able to work with significant levels of autonomy, manage personal priorities and meet tight deadlines.
- Business-oriented, with a commitment to build Afghanaid’s agility and strengthen its reputation.
- Flexible and dynamic, with the ability to deal with difficult, often ambiguous, and unprecedented situations and creatively solve problems.
- Resilience to travel and work in isolated and possibly insecure locations.
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
- Commitment to the vision and mission of Afghanaid.
Other Information
Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness, and honesty. Our staff are passionate about our work and proud of our organisation. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others, and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions.
How to apply
Please email a covering letter and your CV, by no later than 09 February 2024 to jobs@afghanaid.org.uk; including your name and the job title in the subject line. Your covering letter should be no more than 1 standard A4 page in length and explain how you meet the position requirements and why you feel you would be a suitable candidate for this role. Your CV should be no more than 4 pages and include 3 professional references including your current employer (we will only contact references with your permission). The precision and style with which you present yourself in your covering letter and CV will be given significant weight in shortlisting candidates. Applications with no proper subject (requested above) or submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to every application. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the deadline, then you have not been successful for shortlisting.