Bilingual Project Finance Officer

Summary of position 

CowaterSogema has an immediate opening in their Finance Team for its headquarters in Ottawa, Canada, for a Bilingual Project Finance Officer able to work under minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment. The Finance Officer must possess a proven ability to meet tight deadlines, must have excellent communication and organizational skills, must be proficient in MS Office (Excel and Word), and must have previous experience with an accounting software.

Key responsibilities

The Bilingual Finance Officer duties will include the following:

Monthly review of various projects: 

• Financial administration of active projects according to project contracts.
• Verify and code international travel expense reports. Review project expense reports and transactions from field offices overseas, convert expenditures into Canadian dollars as required, and post into head office accounting records.
• Prepare bank reconciliation(s) for project bank account(s).
• Prepare financial reports as required under the contracts with Clients, including, but not limited to, quarterly and annual financial reports, budget variance reports, statements of eligible expenditures, etc. Work with Project Managers on narrative variance reporting.
• Closely monitor expenditures against project budgets.
• Work with Project Managers to prepare modifications to budgets and sub-project budgets.
• Work with Project Managers to manage and administer project-specific advance funds.
• Prepare invoices and advance requests. Follow up as needed.

End of month:

Prepare Monthly and quarterly financial reporting.

• Analyze variances from forecasts and budget.
• Analyze trial balances.
• Review field office reports.
• Ensure all items from monthly closing checklist are completed.

Quarterly forecasts and annual budget:

• Conduct quarterly and annual project financial projections.

Job Requirements

Education:

• Undergraduate university degree in Accounting or related field.

Language(s):

• English and French are a must. 

Security Clearance:

• Must be eligible to obtain the Government of Canada’s reliability status clearance level.

Minimum Experience:

• Two (2) to four (4) years of experience in a similar position.

Essential Skills:

• Must be fluently bilingual in English and French.
• Excellent computer skills specifically with Excel.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a team and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of GAAP reporting will be considered an asset.

About us

With more than 34 years’ experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017 and 2018. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec, Paris, France, Pretoria, South Africa, and London, United Kingdom, Nairobi, Kenya in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

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