Finance Officer

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Finance Officer
Sector: Finance, Accounting
Position Type: Full-time
Duration/Level of Effort: Long term
Position Location: Jakarta or Manila
 
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
The Finance Officer will work either from the Manila or Jakarta office (based in South-East Asia). They will be tasked with the financial administration for Cowater International (Asia-Pacific Business Unit). This includes undertaking transaction processing, banking, payments and financial transaction compliance/review.  They will prepare transaction, payments, reports and record and file these for relevant corporate and project affairs.  This role includes oversight of financial processes related to management of various donors but mainly Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Australia. The Finance Officer must ensure compliance to donor requirements when processing transactions. The Finance Officer must possess a solid background in Aid and Development (donor funded) projects, understand delegations, separation of duties and have a risk and audit way of analysing transactions.  They must have a proven ability to meet tight deadlines, as well as excellent communication and organizational skills. The Finance Officer will need to be a self-starter that works remotely across Asia, Australia and Canada on a full-time basis. They will be proficient in Excel, Microsoft 365 and Teams, and must have previous experience with an accounting software such as QuickBooks or MYOB (or other similar software).
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Corporate Finance

• Ensure timely payment of all travel and staff reimbursements related to the Asia-Pacific Business Unit
• Update and review Vena information (corporate finance system) as required
• Contribute to corporate financial reports (as required) including, but not limited to, quarterly and annual financial reports, budget variance reports, statements of eligible expenditures, etc

Donor Program Finances

• Review project expense reports and transactions from field offices
• Analyse trial balances
• Review field office reports and vouchers on a monthly basis
• Post transactions into head office accounting records
• Review bank reconciliations for project bank accounts
• Ensure all items from monthly closing checklist are completed
• Prepare financial reports as required under the contracts with DFAT, including, but not limited to, quarterly and annual financial reports, budget variance reports, statements of eligible expenditures, etc
• Work with Program Managers on narrative variance reporting
• Closely monitor expenditures against project budgets
• Work with Program Managers and Senior Finance management to modify/update budgets
• Liaise with HQ Finance on banking and payments of transactions from Canada
• Prepare invoices and advance requests for review and approval by HQ Finance management and Program Managers.
• Calculate FOREX Gains and Losses
• Provide support for internal finance and compliance audits across the DFAT Portfolio
• Work in close cooperation with the finance team in HQ to develop and implement Program-level Finance/Operations Manuals, and support development of tools and templates for the set-up finance processes and systems for the Programs in our donor portfolio
• Provide support for internal project audits across the donor Portfolio

Donor Program Grants

• Monitor, track and verify all Partner Grant Payments including verification of all required documentation including financial reports and acquittals
• Support the establishment of Partner agreement and variation templates
• Ensure all financial records and reports are updated in the Cowater Sharepoint in a timely manner
• Prepare payment documents related to tranches and core funding payments, including the grants checklist
• Ensure that documentation for Partner annual audits are shared by the Programs and uploaded to the Cowater Sharepoint
• Contribute to donor Program Grants and Investment Manuals and Partner Financial Guideline updates in line with Cowater and Donor requirements.
• Process financial reconciliation and refund of the remaining funds
• File all   grant   partner documents in the Cowater Sharepoint
• Provide support for internal grants audits across the donor Portfolio

 
JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Post-secondary education in finance and/or accounting
• Minimum of 5+ years relevant work experience
• Excellent computer skills, specifically with Excel
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team
• Strong English skills (more than basic in speaking is required)
• Ability to meet deadlines

 
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply by 10 January 2025.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
 
 
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.