Finance Analyst

Position Summary.
Provide oversight and management for all aspects of financial planning and analysis with a focus on the budgeting processes, providing accurate corporate and donor financial reporting as per the reporting cadence, financial and trend analysis for key strategic decision making, oversight on assets and liabilities, preparation of annual accounts and the management of group audits.
The position holder works closely with the Finance Manager – Country offices and the Senior Finance Manager.

Key Responsibilities.
Financial Planning and Analysis (35%)

• Update the annual budgeting template in time for the annual budgeting cycle.
• Manage and coordinate the annual budgeting process in collaboration with other finance staff, Programs teams and other relevant teams.
• Lead training on budget preparation.
• Lead the budget review process for the different group’s entities.
• Lead the SAGE budget upload process for the board and commitment budgets.
• Perform budgetary control to ensure spending is within budget allocations and with cost-efficiency.
• Provide scenario planning and ad hoc analysis, interpretation and recommendation for strategic decision making.
• Review proposal budgets to ensure they align to the annual budget cost structures.
• Analyse business operations, trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments and obligations to project future revenues and outlays.

Financial Reporting (40%)

• Ensure the timely, accurate, complete and relevant production and submission of monthly management accounts.
• Ensure that all financial transactions adhere to IFRS, GAAPs, ForAfrika policies, internal controls protocols, budget allocations, transactional coding, and ensure financial data integrity and true and fair disclosure of expenditures and income.
• Ensure a smooth year-end closing process, and correct project carry forward of Deferred income.
• Provide technical financial advice to departmental heads, programs and leadership on key financial strategic decision making.
• Ensure timely recognition of inter-company transactions to ensure timely reimbursements, disclosure in the books and mitigate surprise overspending at year-end and resolving inter-company cost disputes.
• Lead the preparation of quarterly Board packs for respective entities.
• Prepare and update financial dashboards for management information and decision making.
• Liaise with the group’s entities for the monthly financial reports.
• Review and consolidate monthly GIK and CIK reports from the group’s entities.

Financial Management and Balance Sheet Management (15%)

• Ensure accurate and timely completion of monthly Balance Sheet reconciliations for all Assets and Liabilities and that the reconciliations and trial balances are reviewed by the relevant finance staff.
• Provides management and program staff with monthly financial reports and analysis for all grants and unrestricted funds.
• Identifies requirements for and develop reporting formats in SAGE in collaboration with the financial systems team.
• Manage the maintenance, updating and reconciliation of the fixed asset registers of GSO, country offices and affiliates.
• Lead in the archiving and proper management of reports and supporting schedules.

Audit support (10%)

• Provide leadership to the FP& A team ensuring the right skills and job match.
• Prepare annual financial statements for annual audit and reporting in collaboration with the Audit Risk and Compliance (ARC) department.
• Facilitate and support the internal and external audit process.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance.
• ACCA or CPA certification.
• Extensive working knowledge/experience with computerized accounting systems, Excel and database programs.
• Must have proven knowledge of IFRS, Generally Accepted Accounting principles and practical knowledge of financial systems.
• Minimum seven years of relevant experience in financial planning and analysis at an international non-profit organization.
• Advanced knowledge in budget preparation and management.
• Ability to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal technical support.
• Diligent, detail oriented, pro-active, ability to effectively manage competing priorities.
• Knowledge and experience developing data presentation tools would be advantageous.