Accountant - Nathan Associates

The Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment (GTI) Activity was initiated December 1, 2021 and will run for 5 years.  The activity will work closely with public and private sector stakeholders to improve the enabling environment for Ghana’s economic growth by

(1) facilitating growth in export-oriented trade;

(2) improving and developing product standards;

(3) catalyzing investments in private enterprises related to high-value commercial crops;

(4) promoting job creation, particularly among women and youth;

(5) promoting economic diversification; and

(6) increasing foreign exchange revenues from high-value export crops. GTI will facilitate investing in firms that trade goods across borders, spur innovation, and build the capacity of the entire trade sector. 

Purpose

The Accountant will report to the Finance and Administrative Director and will work with the Home Office finance and management team. The Accountant provides supervision in all aspects of the project accounting and financial management. S/he ensures that accounting transactions are managed according to the general principles of accounting and the home office field accounting manual. S/he must also follow the client (USAID) and local government policies, procedures, and regulations.

Location and Reporting

The Accountant will be based in Accra, Ghana, and report to the Finance and Administrative Director.

Key Responsibilities

The Accountant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Manage field accounting systems and internal day-to-day financial operations.
• Continually orient staff on Nathan and USAID financial procedures.
• Ensure that all transactions are recorded, assist project management staff in reconciling accounts, and respond without delays to home office accounting questions or concerns.
• Monitor bank balances in both USD and Cedi and arrival of wire transfers and ensure bank accounts are up-to-date. Manage and reconcile bank accounts and balances on a monthly basis.
• Prepare monthly budget projections with Finance and Administrative Director for all local expenses and send wire requests to the Home Office.
• Verify all vendor and subcontractor invoices and ensure careful management and oversight of subcontracts, monitor vendor balances. Ensure all supporting documents are received and correct.
• Prepare monthly payroll, ensure distribution, print payroll receipts. Payment of any severance if applicable to all local staff and review of unused compensated absences.
• Calculate and withhold the appropriate amounts for SSNIT, PAYE, and withholding taxes from salaried employees and GRA amounts for contract employees. Ensure these payments makes it to the SSNIT office and GRA office by the due date each month.
• Review outstanding checks and payments in transit, e.g., rent, service and utility payments and lease modifications.
• Review local payroll tax obligations and VAT accruals.
• Process VAT refund and VRPO requests.
• Process travel and other advances to staff and track outstanding balances, verify and process expense reports generated by the staff and processed.
• Manage petty cash and ensure that transactions are verified, and balances are reconciled at least once a week.
• Advise the Finance and Administrative Director and home office Project Coordinator on rate of expenditures and remaining funds in the local accounts.
• Maintain and organize project accounting filing system.
• Reconcile and close out project bank accounts.

Required Skills or Experience

• Must be a Ghanaian citizen
• A university degree in a related field; accounting or finance preferred
• At least 5-7 years of professional accounting experience;

• Experience with QuickBooks or accounting software;
• Experience working on a donor–funded project; USAID preferred
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations;
• Strong understanding of Ghanaian tax laws, standard practices, and accounting procedures
• Review relationships with suppliers of equipment, supplies and services to the project and project procurement practices;
• Strong problem-solving skills;
• Strong written and verbal English skills;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Demonstrated experience in office software (Accounting software, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc);
• Willingness to work closely with the Nathan home office as necessary;
• Other tasks related to the scope of work as necessary;
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.