Senior Finance Officer

Company
CCA - ACC
Brief Description

Employment Opportunity

SENIOR FINANCE OFFICER (Spanish & English)

The Canadian Cooperative Association (www.coopscanada.coop) is seeking applicants for a Senior Finance Officer for the upcoming Improving Economic Performance of Agricultural Cooperatives (IMPACT) project. Under the general direction of the Director, Finance and in collaboration with relevant Program Director and Manager, the Senior Finance Officer provides financial oversight and management of assigned projects and provides training to project and partner staff on financial policies and procedures.   

RESPONSIBILITIES:

BUDGETING:

  • Prepares program level and annual budget for assigned projects in the Americas Region
  • Monitors project performance against budget.  Analyzes budget variances.  Advises responsible project staff and directors and provides recommendations as required.
  • Co-ordinates and reviews revised projections; liaises with responsible project staff.

ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL MONITORING OF PROJECTS:

  • Reviews and provides finance approval of invoices, partner disbursements, field office disbursements, staff and consultant advances, expense claims and transfers  for assigned projects
  • Monitors financial status of assigned projects, including reviewing of financial reports from partners and Field Offices and monitoring cash flow to the project.   Provides technical advice to field managers and officers.
  • Manages project audit processes, including sourcing auditor, quality control, training and capacity building as well as monitoring and implementation of recommendations. 
  • Prepares monthly journal entries to incorporate the financial activities of the field office(s) and overseas partner(s) into CCA’s books.  Includes reconciling field project bank account(s), calculating foreign exchange rates and coding invoices. 
  • Provides support and expertise on financial matters to project staff and overseas partners to ensure accurate reporting of expenditures and compliance with the project contract and CIDA regulations.
  • Calculates overhead accruing to the project on a quarterly basis.
  • Prepares quarterly donor financial reports for assigned projects.
  • Follows up on outstanding technical co-operant advances.
  • Prepares year end reports and reconciliations; provides information to external auditors on assigned projects as required.
  • Liaises with Internal Auditor as required.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:

  • Ensures validity of financial assumptions in developing budgets for proposals in the Americas region.  Collaborates with Director, Market Development in determining pricing strategies for proposals.
  • Develops detailed proposal budgets and other supporting documents in co-ordination with project staff working on proposals.
  • Reviews and participates in negotiation of new agreements and contracts.
  • Sets up new projects (codes, templates, determination of level of effort, allocation of responsibilities).

TRAINING:

  • Plans, develops and delivers regular training sessions to partner and field staff on CCA’s  financial policies and procedures, and accounting practices.
  • Provides advice and coaching to project staff and business development staff on finance related issues specific to their project as required.

RESOURCES:

Reviews and provides financial approval of reports and expenses for assigned projects.

SUPERVISION:

None.

COMMUNICATION:

  • Requires close liaison with field staff and with project staff in Ottawa.
  • Requires communication with funders, partners, auditors and technical co-operants.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Professional Accounting designation such as CGA or CMA.
  • Minimum 5 years related experience with international development organization(s)
  • Fluent in spoken and written Spanish and English.
  • Demonstrated competence in financial management and reporting
  • Demonstrated ability to train and coach others.
  • Experience in proposal development and competitive bidding, as it relates to budgeting.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with a variety of audiences.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team.  Ability to relate well to varied groups, including overseas partners, other development agencies and government departments/agencies.   Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations.
  • Expert knowledge of spreadsheet and accounting software practices.
  • Demonstrated good judgement.
  • Knowledge of DFATD and National Joint Council regulations and policies is an advantage

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The position is located in Ottawa and requires occasional travel (estimated 2 times annually). Some overtime required, particularly in peak periods.

TO APPLY:

Please send your CV with cover letter to the attention of Lori McCarthy, Senior HR Officer, via email at: apply@coopscanada.coop by February 20, 2014.

Please note that donor funding for this position has not yet been secured. Anticipated start date is late February/early March upon the signing of the Contribution Agreement.