CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
Pakistan Program
Job Description
Position Title: Finance Officer
Department: Finance (Operations)
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan
Reports To: Senior Finance Officer
BACKGROUND: CRS Pakistan is currently working in the following sectors: education, drought mitigation, WASH, livelihoods, and protection sectors. Alongside this, CRS continues to work in the areas of emergency response and disaster preparedness & mitigation. CRS main office is located in Islamabad with sub-offices in Sukkur- Sindh Province, Besham- KPK Province and Quetta- Balochistan Province.
Job Summary: The Finance Officer reports to Senior Finance Officer and is responsible for all phases of financial activities as per policies and procedures of CRS, including cash handling, bank dealings, safe keeping of financial records, and check books and recording of all transactions on daily basis, in consultation with CP Finance Manager for general guidance. S/he will ensure that that filing and archives are maintained in accordance with CRS Management record filing and record retention policies
Functional Responsibilities
Accounting:
1. Ensure that the financial accounting environment is in compliance with CRS policies and procedures, donor regulations and local legal requirements.
2. Prepare Disbursement Requests for next level authority approvals, and process them at appropriate level.
3. Prepare Bank Forms for payments with all necessary approvals. .
4. Prepare Bank Reconciliation; send Reconciliation, with copies of the Bank Statements, to next level approval authority for the Month End Processing.
5. Keep informed about local fiscal and other financial laws related to taxes and exemptions; inform next level authority and Country Program staff as appropriate.
6. Prepare appropriate Journal vouchers including cash disbursement vouchers, receipt vouchers and General Journal Vouchers for adjusting entries, prepayment adjustments, rectification entries and to allocate expense to relevant fund / project and to record the accounting entries for adjustment of advances etc.
7. Ensure safekeeping of Financial Assets including checks and cash as per CRS policy and procedures.
8. Prepare payment requests for the disbursement of withholdings (tax, pensions, etc.)
9. Ensure that accounts receivable balances are liquidated per CRS policy and procedures.
10. Process all the payments to vendors after due verification of invoices and all supporting documents are attached as per policy.
11. Issue travel and short-term operating advances to staff members and vendors and maintain proper tracking of liquidation of these advances.
12. Maintain proper tracking of security deposits and payables including accruals, taxes, provident fund, EOBI and severance payables etc.
13. In Coordination with relevant HR departments, prepare final settlement payment vouchers.
14. Check invoices for authorization, correct account and project coding, taxation deductions and process vendor payments.
Payroll:
15. Process monthly severance calculation (for employees and total reserve and allocation by fund and projects) for CP staff
16. Process of calculation, payment and allocation by fund/projects pension and health insurance and unemployment contribution and salary tax in compliance with legal regulation in CP
17. Prepare (review sub-office) and process monthly payroll for the CP staff; review and ensure accuracy of approved timesheets; track and deduct all garnishments and other special payroll deductions and disburse pay slips to staff.
Reporting:
18. Prepare financial reports for partners and Country Program staff when required.
19. Responsible for working with auditors and responding to queries coming from auditing reports regarding financial issues of country program.
20. Actively participate in month end-close including bank reconciliations, aging reports, severance reports etc.
21. Compile month-end close package and arrange to have uploaded for HQ review.
Filing and backups:
22. File and maintain CRS office Sun Systems entry vouchers such as CD, CR, GJ, Import files, and Intra-Agency files in sequential and logical order. Attach all supporting documentation.
23. Ensure that all Bank transfer instructions letters are properly filed
24. File all correspondence, bank, taxation and other, including printed in/out email letters.
Emergency Response:
"The Finance Officer may be called upon as part of their roles and responsibilities to participate and/ or provide support in emergency response situations when and where required in consultation with their supervisor."
Internal Key Working Relationships:
Country Representative, HoOP, HOP, CP Finance Manager, Program Managers, Head of Sub Offices, Sub Offices’ Finance Staff, Procurement Manager, Administrative Manager, HR Manager, IT Manager and other Support Managers, Internal Auditors.
External Key Working Relationships:
Banking Institutions, Government Entities, Donors, Sub recipients, Suppliers and External Auditors and Audit Firms
Requirements:
1. Demonstrated strengths in financial management with a strong client service focus; able to work with diverse groups of people and team oriented environment
2. Skilled in obtaining information necessary to accomplish duties
3. Able to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines
4. Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level
5. Able to express technical ideas and concerns in a non-technical environment
6. Strong customer orientation
7. Able to work independently
8. Able to adapt and learn
9. Ability to develop effective systems considering organizational effectiveness and impact on people.
10. Strong organization and planning skills, detail oriented
11. Maturity and discretion, able to work with, and maintain confidential information
12. Willing to travel 10-20%
Qualifications:
1. MBA/M.Com Degree in finance, financial management, economics, accounting or related field from recognized institution
2. At least 3 years of relevant experience is required (in accounting for international agencies).
3. Strong computer skills, particularly Excel, Word and Access
4. Knowledge of CRS finance, accounting, and budgeting policies, procedures and standards preferred
5. Experience with accounting systems required; Sun Systems experience preferred
6. Fluency in written and spoken English; excellent written and oral communication skills
Note: List of responsibilities, professional and personal skills are considered indicative and not exhaustive; actual duties may differ or change depending on office and agency priorities at the time.
Note: Females are encouraged to apply.