The Project Accountant will report to the Project Coordinator (AMS Project) and work in close collaboration with the Finance and Administration Manager – ACORD Uganda.
S/he is responsible to assist the Financial and Administration Manager for timely implementation of WFP – Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) resources in accordance with the ACORD-Uganda financial management manual

Technical Focus
The Project Accountant will take responsibility for the routine implementation of the WFP – Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) financial systems inclusive of the budget execution. S/he will work under close supervision of the Finance and Administration Manager – ACORD Uganda and close collaboration the Project Coordinator (finance officers in the districts of Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) operation.

The key tasks and responsibilities of the role include:
The Project Accountant will support all financial and operational matters within the project, including managing financial systems, generating financial reports, tracking expenses, managing finance and operational issues and supporting project staff in district offices. The Project Accountant will be responsible for preparing periodic finance reports, disbursement requests for the attention of the Finance and Administration Manager – ACORD Uganda. Specifically, the incumbent will carry out the following activities:

Financial and Accounting
• Regularly keep project memorandum books in support of the financial ledger for project and process accounting documents for authorization and payments
• On daily basis, collate all project financial transaction documents and prepare them for the project authorization process
Regularly Process approved invoices/requests and raise payments vouchers in consultation with Director – Financial Management & Operations, codify the expenditure and note the correct codes.
Maintain project expenditure commitment register and update the register in liaison with the Finance and Administration Manager that the register reflects all outstanding commitments
• Maintain an advance payment register and monitor settlement of the advances.
• Maintain the project fixed asset register and regularly update
In consultation with Finance and Administration Manager and Project Coordinator participate in Preparation and production of the WFP- Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) quarterly, annual plans and budgets.
• Maintain ACORD-Uganda’s Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) financial systems, including, but not limited to: Monthly Office Report (MOR), bank account reconciliations, purchase and expenditure documentation records.
Collaborate with the Finance and Administration Manager to develop, implement and improve standard financial practices, procedures and forms.
• Prepare accurate accounting and financial reports for submission to Finance and Administration Manager by required deadlines.
• Manage cash flow, including funds transfers from headquarters, local currency exchange, and petty cash.
• Estimate upcoming cash needs and accrue expenditures as appropriate and submit cash request to Finance and Administration Manager for review, endorsement and onward transmission to the development partner (WFP)
• Prepare payment vouchers and ensure that transactions are properly coded and are conducted in compliance with ACORD-Uganda/Donor policies and guidelines.
• Prepare office budgets for submission to Finance and Administration Manager. Monitor budget versus actual variances and provide budget adjustments when needed.
• Prepare and present various financial reports during monthly finance review meeting with the Finance and Administration Manager
• Use appropriate ACORD-Uganda approved accounting and reporting systems to proactively identify problems, and collaborate with the Finance and Administration Manager as appropriate, to determine solutions.
• Advise the Finance and Administration Manager, and others as appropriate on financial procedures, budgeting, planning, monitoring, and reporting expenses for project activities.
• Ensure that advances are reconciled monthly and an aging report is prepared for outstanding advances.
• Establish, implement and maintain appropriate systems of internal controls pertaining to all aspects of the financial operations including, but not limited to: Banking, liquidation of travel advances, insuring project assets (equipment and cash), maintenance of fixed asset registers and performance of annual inventory.

Administration & Operations Management
• Implement administrative and financial operations of the WFP- Agriculture and Market Support (AMS) supported intervention, ensure compliance with agency standards and practices, local laws and donor policy, guidelines and contract provisions.
• Manage funds at local bank account and check expenditures in accordance with ACORD-Uganda and donor procedures, cost principles, and regulations.
• Address other financial and operational issues related to the project as deemed necessary and appropriate by the Finance and Administration Manager.

Candidates will be Assessed Against the Following
Minimum Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or finance and professional certification as a certified public accountant, chartered public accountant or similar certification by exam is required.

Experience:
• Minimum of 05 years of experience in financial and contracts/grants management, with a minimum of 2 years direct work experience with seniorlevel responsibility for project administration and finance.
• Proven expertise in finance, accounting and auditing, including automated financial systems, as well as results-oriented grants management, including financial planning, monitoring of grant compliance and management and establishment of internal controls.
• Work experience with projects supported by international agencies.
• Experience in the administration of compensation, benefits and Human Resources systems.
• Ability to learn and adapt ACORD’s systems for financial management and work closely with Director- Financial Management & Operations. Demonstrated ability in analyzing financial documents, projections, expenditures, and accruals.

Competencies
Functional Competencies:
• Promotes sharing of knowledge and experience, and actively works towards continued learning and development on personal level as well as for supervisees;
• Good practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of projects;
• Demonstrates strong numerical and analytical skills;
• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and multiple deadlines.
• Ability to exercise sound and timely judgment and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information;
• Demonstrates excellent organizational and administrative skills;
• Analyzes and select materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders;
• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation; and

Language Requirement:
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Other:
• Good knowledge of computer applications such as word, excel, power point and statistical applications.