Financial Accountant

at  Conservation International

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - THIS POSITION IS BASED IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Reporting to the Senior Finance Manager, the Financial Accountant will be responsible for all aspects of the financial control environment of their allocated landscapes, working closely with the project teams across all areas of financial management, control, and budgeting. The primary focus will be on capturing all financial transactions accurately, completely, and timeously within the various accounting systems used by CSA. These include Business World, an accounting system that allows the CSA Head Office, and Conservation International to have a real-time view of all aspects of CSA finances. There are also other software systems used for donor management and budget preparation and variance analysis. The Financial Accountant will perform a wide variety of tasks including providing close support to the landscape teams, in the areas of financial planning, budget creation, cost tracking, and donor reporting. The Financial Accountant will have the experience to prioritize work relative to its urgency; as well as the inter-personal collaboration skills to work in a multi-disciplinary team both locally and internationally. The Financial Accountant will be supported by the Senior Finance Manager.
Throughout this work, the Financial Accountant will ensure compliance with Conservation lnternational’s financial and donor reporting policies and requirements. Duties are performed under general direction. The Financial Accountant will be based at a primary office in Rondebosch, Cape Town, and will be expected to travel regularly to their respective rural landscapes. While this role will require you to spend the majority of your working hours on-site, we are open to considering a level of flexibility depending on the requirements of the role and the approval of your line manager.

To support the Senior Finance Manager working out of the CSA offices, the incumbent will be required to carry out the following tasks:

• The Financial Accountant will be required to become familiar with the financial systems and controls utilized by CSA.
• Play a supporting role in the creation and approval of vendors, processing invoices, and matching payments in CSA’s finance software - Unit 4 BusinessWorld, and ensure month-end deadlines are met.
• Ensure proper documentation exists and complies with CSA procurement requirements before disbursements are made.
• Play a supporting role in the payment of office expenses in CSA’s Internet banking system in a timely manner and ensure that no expenditure goes ahead without prior knowledge and approval of the relevant manager and that cost center approval levels are adhered to.
• The Financial Accountant will be required to scrutinize all paperwork relating to financial transactions for the relevant landscape including office expenditures, travel claims, assets/equipment, etc.
• Provide feedback and guidance to the relevant managers and the CSA Ops Director on any compliance issues arising from monthly reports.
• A key function in this role, provide feedback and guidance to the Finance Manager on any compliance issues arising.
• Process Journals prior to month-end closure relating to travel-related activities, staff claims and advances, payrolls, bank account transactions, fleet cards, reconciliations, reallocations, etc.
• Prepare monthly cash flow forecasts for various landscapes and submit them to managers, Operations, and Finance Directors.
• Assist with budgets for various landscapes as well as budget reporting.
• Proper management of the Debtor function, including issuing of invoices/statements timeously, and processing receipts in the accounting system.
• Review monthly general ledger transactions to ensure accurate capturing of financial information and report any discrepancies.
• Prepare and assist with monthly reconciliations of various Balance Sheet items.
• Maintain Fixed Asset Registers, manage processing and reconciling of assets on a monthly basis, and conduct asset verification process;
• Attend weekly finance meetings, assist with setting up online meetings, taking meeting notes;
• Accurate submission of the monthly timesheet.
• Assist with internal, external, and project audit queries
• Maintain finance files to ensure that they are audit-ready.
• Be prepared to take on additional activities as they arise, due to the growing nature of projects.
• The incumbent will be required to work with minimal supervision and expedite their duties independently.
• Carry out a higher level of reporting, budgeting, and be able to interrogate these, and display sound accountability and responsibility in these work areas.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Provide support to the Senior Finance Manager in ad hoc focus areas.
• Contribute to improving financial control efficiencies, effectiveness, and alignment with CSA strategic objectives.

People and Resource Management Responsibilities:

• This position does have direct supervisory authority but assists less experienced peers.
• Train and coach the Financial Accountants via on-the-job training.
• Conduct performance assessments of all staff being managed.

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.