Finance Officer

The Finance Officer’s will be responsible for the financial management of the U.S. Government projects, as well as grants from other sources, such as Foundations, Corporations, and Multilateral Organizations. This position is responsible for ensuring accurate project financial tracking, recording and reporting to donors, and compliance with the organizational policies and donor requirements. The Finance Officer works closely with the Program Managers on all budget, finance and compliance matters such as forecasts, budget realignments, pipeline analysis, financial reports review, etc. The Finance Officer will play a key role in establishing necessary financial procedures and reinforcing internal controls. S/he will provide training and ongoing support to Plan USA staff and Country Offices in understanding donor financial compliance, identifying financial risks, and other best practices related to project financial management. This position is based in Washington, DC.

Main Responsibilities of the Job

Financial Reporting

• Prepares financial reports for assigned U.S. Government grants (including but not limited to Standard Form 425) and for grants where Plan USA is a sub-recipient of federal funds.
• Creates financial reporting templates and train field office staff in their use.
• Requests and monitors receipt of monthly financial reports from Country Offices, Regional Offices, Plan USA and Plan’s International Headquarters.
• Reconciles monthly field reports with the Grants Tracking System (GTS) and the General Ledger including the reconciliation of unliquidated advances.
• Prepares any required ad hoc reports for donors—e.g. prime requests for financial information, USAID mission requests for financial information, pipeline analysis, etc.
• Prepares and maintains internal documents to support donor financial reports.
• Reviews all project financial documentation for compliance—e.g. costs charged to grants and contracts including travel expense reports, consultant agreements, personnel allocation (time sheets), etc.
• Maintains up-to-date grant and contract files and assures appropriate documents are available—e.g. pre-approvals, agreements, sub-agreements, modifications, correspondences with the donors, etc.

Financial Management

• Works collaboratively with Program Managers to review and oversee project budgets, forecasts, and financial reports for donors and actively contribute to the project risk reviews.
• Monitors project “burn rate” against the total award budget and against the work plan budget. Discusses project financial performance with the Program Manager.
• Assures appropriate explanations for variances on budget versus expenditure reports and notifies the Program Manager/Officer of any financial issues.
• Keeps track of Plan USA project covered costs in the donor budget to maximize cost recovery in accordance with the donor rules.
• Works closely with the field to resolve any financial related issues and follows up on open points to ensure they are resolved.
• Maintains up-to-date, accurate financial records on all grants in the field which credit Plan USA for revenue.
• Ensures the completion of financial closeout process for grants and contracts.
• Supports the Program Manager and field office staff on the project budget management throughout the life of the projects.
• . Works with the Country Office and the Program Manager on budget realignments and modifications. Ensures timely submission to the donor/prime.
• Monitors the status of the Obligation balance and works with the Program Manager and the Director of Compliance on requesting additional Obligations timely. Travels to the Country Office to provide support in preparation for audits and any other financial support necessary.
• Reviews internal and external audit reports and recommends solutions to audit findings.
• Assit Program Managers with the revenue projections for the organizational budget.
• Assists the project team in negotiations with the donor.

Training

• Actively contributes to the design and delivery of financial management training for the program staff at Plan USA.
• Supports field finance staff in the areas of fiscal management and financial reporting on assigned U.S. Government grants and contracts and other assigned grants.
• Participates in start-up workshops for new projects.
• Liaises with the Program Manager to identify field staff training needs to increase their capacity to manage U.S. Government funds.

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor or other tasks coordinated through Supervisor for other members of Management.

Qualifications Needed to Be Successful in the Job

A demonstrated commitment to the mission of Plan

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities

• Ability to work with minimal direction and to initiate activities and identify organizational needs related to responsibilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to maintain effective and satisfactory working relationships with people from diverse cultures across all levels of the organization.
• Superior analytical skills, attention to detail, and strong work ethics.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial and other sensitive information.
• Capacity to work under pressure, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet inflexible deadlines.
• Familiarity with U.S. Government rules and regulations, particularly USAID Regulation 22 CFR 226, 22 CFR 228, the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), AIDAR, and 2 CFR 230 (formerly OMB Circular A-122), and A-133.
• Proficiency in computer software particularly Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Access, Word and accounting software packages.
• Thorough knowledge of and experience with financial reporting, especially with regard to U.S. Government.
• Knowledge of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial accounting standards.
• Working knowledge of French is desirable.
• Previous experience working with field staff preferred.
• Positive attitude, desire to be a part of a diverse team, and commitment to Plan USA’s mission.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/ Finance or related field. Master’s degree is preferred.
• 5+ years of strong experience in accounting and financial management of U.S. government funding (e.g., USAID, DOS, DOL) and other donors’ budget and regulatory compliance.
• Not-for-profit accounting experience. Field experience desirable.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Work Environment

• Typical office environment.
• Travel will be required up to 40% annually.

How to apply:

Cover letters and resume should be submitted via our website www.planusa.org/jobopps.