Finance Manager

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:  The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Lebanon, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance.  The Mercy Corps Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures.  In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Finance Director, the Finance Manager for Accounting will have primary responsibility for overseeing the accounting cycle and day to day accounting functions ensuring compliance with policies, procedures and grant requirements, as well as manage the finance/accounting team. ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Team Management Oversee daily management of the finance/accounting staff in main and field locations. Train, mentor and support the finance/accounting officers in head and field offices for the day-to-day accounting functions, including answering daily questions, training new hires, making field visits, defining individual development plan and workplan, etc. Contribute in training non-finance team members in following the proper accounting and financial processes (forms, coding…) Work with the Finance Director in defining Standard Operating Procedures for accounting Day-to-Day Accounting Approve and post transactions in the accounting system (Payment, payroll, reconciliation…) Perform financial review of Payment Vouchers, Purchase Requests, Advance Requests, Expenses Reports and Payment Requests Oversee Cash Management, daily cash count, and cash balance monitoring Oversee bank account management: bank accounts opening and maintenance, authorized signatures, cash balance. Monthly Accounting Cycle Manage month-end accounting close process, ensuring accuracy and completeness of the ledgers, sub-journals and all supporting documentation in all country offices (coding, approval, uploading). Review monthly reconciliations of bank accounts and balance sheet accounts. Review monthly cost allocations. Ensure proper calculation and on-time payments of payroll, benefits and taxes Responsible for maintaining the general ledger software files, including set up and maintenance of new project accounts, regular back-up of files, etc.. Coordinate monthly cash flow projections and requests from sub-offices and program managers, and submit the consolidated cash flow projection (CFP) to the HQ Coordinate the preparation and ensure accuracy and on-time submission of reports to local government and HQ Reports (EPAR, Expats benefits, VAT report, Report Packages to HQ (Monthly/Quarter/Year) Compliance Monitoring Assist the Finance Director and Finance Manager for Compliance/Reporting in the financial review of purchase orders and contracts to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures, Project Budgets, and in responding to audit inquiries and requests for financial information. Set up and monitor the Finance Dept.’s central files for the current month operation, including Vouchers files by batch, journal entries and all monthly closing documents (following FFM filing guidance). Representation Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders. Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.   Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:  Finance Officers, Finance Assistant & Field Finance Officer(s)/Assistant(s) ACCOUNTABILITY: REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Finance Director WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance Manager for Compliance and Reporting, Finance Team, Program and Operations departments. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:  Three or more years of finance management experience, including budgeting and grant management A university degree in finance, accounting or a related business field is required.  2 years’ experience in the Finance Department of a NGO at mid to senior management levels. Strong Accounting & Reporting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payroll, payables and balance sheet Familiarity with major international donor rules and non-profit accounting Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel and Access.  Strong analytical skills coupled with a solid understanding of grant management rules. Excellent oral and written English skills. Arabic is a plus.