Finance Director

Nathan Associates London Ltd. is seeking a qualified, experienced, and motivated individual to lead its financial department. The UK branch of Nathan Associates Inc.—an economic consulting firm headquartered in Arlington, Virginia—Nathan London is internationally recognised for developing novel ways of engaging the private sector in development and achieving pro-poor outcomes. The firm has related practices in private sector development, trade, rural development, and financial sector development.

As Finance Director you will be responsible for all aspects of the financial management of Nathan Associates London and project offices managed from London. These aspects include financial systems implementation, management information, planning and budgeting, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting and accounting. You will manage Nathan’s small finance team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Company

Your main responsibility will be to ensure efficient and effective financial management of Nathan Associates London as follows:

• Maintain clear and up-to-date accounts that meet internationally accepted accounting principles and financial reporting standards.
• Manage cash flow to ensure adequate financial liquidity for smooth company operations.
• Prepare regular financial reports and statements for directors, the Board of Directors, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Provide regular rolling financial projections (cost and revenue) to senior management.
• Maintain clear financial records for individual projects to ensure auditable accountability for client’s funds.
• Ensure timely disbursement of funds to clients.
• Review chart of accounts as needed.
• Supervise finance staff to ensure smooth running of activities.
• Design and provide training to finance department staff to ensure that financial systems are understood and implemented effectively.
• Manage operations, including controlling purchases and expenses and ensuring timely honouring of Nathan’s obligations vis-à-vis suppliers.
• Maintain payroll and ensure timely payment of staff and subcontractors.
• Conduct regular inventory and maintain an up-to-date record of assets.
• Ensure proper and safe filing of all records and contracts signed by Nathan London.
• Provide all information required by auditors during internal and external audits.
• Serve as Company Secretary.

Projects

In addition, you will help set up and implement project-level financial systems, ensuring that projects are run effectively and ensuring that financial systems meet international standards as follows:

• Provide monthly reports on the financial status of individual projects.
• Support the project finance and management teams in setting up and monitoring finance and accounting for projects in the field.
• Participate in quarterly technical and financial reviews of projects.
• Provide technical advice, mentoring, and/or training to consultants in field projects on accounting and financial management.
• Help establish value-for-money reporting procedures for projects.
• Design and provide training to project managers to ensure that financial systems are understood and implemented effectively.
• Some international travel.

Business Development

Support the Business Development team in developing commercial proposals for tenders as follows:

• Devise pricing strategies and prepare budgets for service contracts.
• Analyse market dynamics, pricing trends, market opportunities, and operating and sales margins in order to develop reports, procedures, and tools for pricing service contracts.
• Develop and maintain tools and procedures for preparation of budgets and financial proposals.
• Assist technical teams in defining and quantifying value-for-money propositions in service offerings.
• Help the business development team write the financial methodology and value-for-money sections of commercial proposals for submission to international donor organisations.

REQUIREMENTS

The following are essential requirements:

• A professionally recognised accounting qualification
• An advanced degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field. 
• Minimum of (after qualification) 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Strong financial, accounting, and/or contract experience to include budget preparation, cost analysis, and financial management using Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks.
• Knowledge of and experience with financial reporting, accounting principles, and financial controls.
• Experience managing company accounting staff and, ideally, working with and supporting project teams.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of complex financial and operational tasks.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to establish priorities; attention to detail a must.
• Able to work under pressure, against tight deadlines and in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills; ability to analyse data; conceptualize, perform, and apply mathematical skills; and develop financial systems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well (especially under pressure) with project teams, clients, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Willingness to travel to developing countries.
• Have the right to live and work in the UK, or be in a position to obtain this quickly.

 Ideally, the selected candidate will also have the following:

• Experience working in international development with bilateral and multilateral donor projects.
• Good understanding of financial requirements for contracts with the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the European Commission, or similar organisations.
• Good understanding of the UK National Audit Office’s and the Independent Commission for Aid Impact’s approach to value-for-money.

We offer an exciting work environment and a dynamic team in our London office. You will have the opportunity to lead Nathan’s Finance Department and to work on multidisciplinary teams. We offer a highly competitive package including a performance-based bonus.

If interested in this position (L-107), please send your full CV with a cover letter no later than August 15, 2014, to dbennun@nathaninc.com.

Nathan Associates Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.