GENERAL ACCOUNTANT

Médecins Sans Frontières, founded in 1971, is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of medical professionals, logistics, administrative and various other professions, all guided by our medical ethics and our principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality.

MSF WaCA, created in 2019, is the first MSF headquarters in Africa, and responds to the desire to reinvent the MSF movement after 50 years of humanitarian actions in the world, for more access to care, more reactivity and proactivity for greater medical coverage of affected populations in the world.

You are preparing to become a member of the MSF family, with over 50 years of emergency medical action that earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

We are an inclusive organization that considers social and professional well-being a right for all and provides an environment that takes into account the diversity of each member.

MSF WaCA claims an African anchorage that considers the local expertise with which it contributes in the implementation of its activities and makes each member, a key actor of the new dynamics of the humanitarian action in the world.

We Are Looking for: GENERAL ACCOUNTANT

Department: Finance

Direct Manager: Chief Accountant

Functional Manager: Chief Accountant

Working %: 100%

Position Based in: Abidjan, HQ

Mobility: All WaCA’s Interventions Zones

Type of Contract: Fixed-Term Renewable

Position to be filled: As Soon As Possible

Objectives

Reporting to the Chief Accountant, the General Accountant is responsible for overseeing, managing, and interpreting financial data, ensuring that financial transactions are accurately recorded. This is a polyvalent position within MSF WaCA finance department supporting the Chief Accountant in managing both field and HQ accounting.

Main responsibilities

HQ Accounting:

• Control and record incoming and outgoing accounting documents in the HQ accounting software.
• Schedule supplier and non-payroll third-party payments. Effect tax & social security payments, reclaims and reconciliations in compliance with local regulations.

• Ensure the proper filing and archiving of financial records.
• Participate in account closings: justification of accounts, inventory entries, documentation of closing file, bank & balance accounts reconciliations etc.
• Effect the consolidation of mission accounting closure in head office accounting software and manage balance discrepancies. Reconcile transfers, rebilling and reimbursements between head office and missions and/or other sections.
• Participate in the production of year-end financial statements in compliance with local and international GAAP.

Audit and Internal control:

• Deliver documentation for external audits and assist auditors in their assessments, providing necessary information for both HQ and field finances.
• Be the focal point between MSF WaCA missions and HQ external auditors.
• Ensure implementation of audit recommendations at mission level.
• Carry out financial internal controls and audits of the missions/projects she/he oversees.

Field accounting:

• Guarantee and monitor coherence and reliability for accounting records of MSF WACA mission countries, ensuring respect for accounting policies.
• Provide guidance and technical support to the missions under her/his portfolio to ensure appropriate support documentation of the accounting entries and an appropriate storage and archiving of these documents.
• Collaborate in the definition of MSF WaCA financial and accounting procedures. Elaboration and update of procedure documentation.
• Guarantee and monitor compliance with local accounting standards, rules and regulations, including local annual audit.
• Supervise field monthly and annual closings of mission’s accounting ensuring all reconciliations are completed and signed by relevant persons. Monitor field monthly closing deadlines and encourage corrective action in the event of delays

• Provide guidance on the field accounting strategy to strengthen quality and control.

Field Support and Monitoring:

• Act as the first point of contact for missions' accounting questions.
• Functionally responsible of the field Accounting Managers (ACMAs) included in her/his portfolio of regular and emergency MSF WaCA missions.

• Provide guidance and technical support to the Accounting Mangers for accounting management processes, monitoring entry data in accountancy systems with guidance in complex accounting registration. Ensure coherence between the data coming from the missions and MSF’s general accounts ensuring accountability and transparency.
• Collaborate in the recruitment and onboarding process of new ACMA’s together with the mission.
• Providing training regarding Financial-Accounting Policies, accounting tools, field finance information systems and procedures to the Accounting Managers and FinCo’s and collaborate to facilitate that the rest of the field accounting team receives the adequate trainings.

• Supporting the field and HQ on parameters configuration of accounting and financial softwares.

Education

Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. Professional certification such as ACCA, CPA or equivalent is an added advantage.

Competencies

Good analytical skills to interpret financial data and identify trends.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting and analysis.

Adaptation to different contexts, circumstances, tasks, responsibilities and people.

Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment, with sensitivity to cultural differences and local context.

Professional experience required

Minimum 5 years of experience in accounting or finance roles.

Familiarity with Ivoirian and International GAAP, SYCEBNL and other relevant regulatory frameworks in West and Central Africa.

Experience in an accounting or audit firm is an added advantage.

Experience in training/knowledge transfer is an asset for this position.

Languages Skills

• Working proficiency in English and French

Computer Skills

• MS Office suite (mainly MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint)
• Working knowledge with an ERP software

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MSF offers equal recruitment and development opportunities without any form of discrimination based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geographical origin, physical disability or any other discriminatory ground.
Female candidates who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

N.B.: This job description provides a framework for the main responsibilities and primary activities of the position. It is not exhaustive. Therefore, the responsibilities and activities of the position may differ from those described in this job description due to organizational and operational needs.

Deadline: Friday 19^th July 2024 18:00 GMT
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.