Finance assistant

Lebanon's Finance Assistant is responsible for overseeing the financial transactions of INARA,
planning and developing budgets, forecasting future cash flows, preparing financial reports,
planning, directing and controlling accounting and financial operations, preparing and disclosing
the appropriate supporting documents of accounting transactions for management review,
ensuring accurate records are kept by standard practices, and providing an appropriate
expenditure control.

Financial Record-keeping:

• Utilize QuickBooks software to maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records, ensuring

compliance with INARA’s accounting standards and procedures.

• Manage accounts payable processes within QuickBooks, including recording and tracking

invoices, verifying transactions, and reconciling vendor accounts.

• Oversee accounts receivable functions by generating invoices, monitoring payments, and

following up on outstanding balances, all within the QuickBooks system.

•  Record general ledger entries accurately and promptly in QuickBooks, maintaining the

integrity of financial data and ensuring alignment with INARA’s chart of accounts.

• Reconcile bank accounts, credit card statements, and other financial accounts in QuickBooks

on a regular basis to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial records.

• Prepare and analyze financial reports using QuickBooks reporting features, such as balance

sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, to provide insights to management
and stakeholders.

• Collaborate with the finance team to develop and maintain standardized procedures for

data entry, reconciliation, and reporting within QuickBooks.

• Assist in the preparation of budgets and forecasts by providing accurate financial data

extracted from QuickBooks and supporting analysis.

• Liaise with external auditors during annual audits by providing requested documentation

and explanations related to QuickBooks records and transactions.

• Stay informed about updates and enhancements to QuickBooks software, ensuring

proficiency in utilizing new features to optimize financial record-keeping processes.

Financial Reporting:

•  Prepare timely and accurate financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual

financial statements, using data extracted from QuickBooks and other financial systems.

•  Develop and maintain standardized templates for financial reporting to ensure consistency

and compliance with INARA’s reporting requirements and donor/grant guidelines.

•  Generate donor reports detailing financial expenditures, budget variances, and program

outcomes, ensuring alignment with donor agreements and grant compliance regulations.

• Collaborate with program managers and project leads to gather financial information and

provide support in the preparation of grant proposals and budgets.

• Ensure accuracy and completeness of financial reports by conducting thorough reviews and

reconciliations of financial data from various sources, including QuickBooks records.

• Assist in preparing financial forecasts and projections, providing input based on historical

data and current financial trends.

• Coordinate with external auditors during annual and grant audits, providing requested

documentation and explanations related to financial reports and compliance matters.

•  Stay informed about changes in accounting standards, donor requirements, and regulatory

guidelines impacting financial reporting, ensuring adherence to best practices.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and periodic forecasts, collaborating closely with

program managers and other stakeholders to gather input and ensure alignment with
organizational goals and objectives.

• Develop budget templates and guidelines to facilitate budgeting, ensuring consistency and

accuracy in budget submissions across departments and programs.

•  Work with program managers to review budget proposals, guiding cost optimization

strategies and resource allocation to maximize program impact within budget constraints.

• Monitor budget-to-actual variances regularly, identifying discrepancies and investigating

underlying causes to inform decision-making and budget adjustments as needed.

•  Prepare budget reports and presentations for senior management and the board of

directors, highlighting key findings, variances, and budget revisions or reallocations
recommendations.

• Support grant budgeting activities by assisting in developing grant proposals, budget

narratives, and budget modifications in compliance with donor requirements.

• Coordinate with finance and accounting teams to ensure seamless integration of budget

data into financial systems, such as QuickBooks, for monitoring and reporting purposes.

•  Participate in strategic planning processes to provide financial input and analysis,

contributing to developing long-term financial strategies and organizational sustainability
initiatives.
Cash Flow Management:

• Monitor cash flow projections on a regular basis to assess liquidity needs and ensure the

availability of funds for operational expenses, program activities, and other financial
obligations.

• Manage day-to-day cash flow activities, including processing payments to vendors, suppliers,

and service providers in a timely manner, while adhering to INARA’s payment policies and
procedures.

• Prepare bank reconciliations to ensure accuracy and completeness of cash transactions

recorded in bank statements and financial records, resolving any discrepancies or issues
promptly.

• Maintain petty cash funds and reconcile petty cash transactions regularly, ensuring proper

documentation and approval for all disbursements and replenishments.

• Monitor and analyze receivables and payables aging reports to identify overdue payments or

outstanding invoices, following up with relevant stakeholders to facilitate timely collections
or payments.

• Prepare cash flow reports and summaries for management review, providing insights into

cash flow performance, trends, and risks, as well as recommendations for improvement.

Grant Management:

•  Assist the Finance Manager in monitoring grant expenditures, ensuring adherence to budget

allocations and compliance with donor requirements and regulations.

•  Review grant agreements and budgets to understand funding restrictions, reporting

deadlines, and financial compliance criteria for each grant-funded project.

• Work closely with program managers and project leads to track grant-funded activities,

expenditures, and deliverables, providing financial guidance and support as needed.

•  Prepare financial reports for grant-funded projects, including budget versus actual analysis,

variance explanations, and narratives highlighting program achievements and outcomes.

• Coordinate with program staff to gather supporting documentation and evidence of

program impact for inclusion in grant reports, ensuring accuracy and completeness of
financial and narrative content.

• Monitor grant receivables and payables, reconciling grant-related transactions and ensuring

timely invoicing, payment processing, and reimbursement requests in compliance with grant
terms.

• Collaborate with external auditors and donors during grant audits and reviews, providing

requested financial documentation, explanations, and support as needed.

•  Maintain organized grant files and records, including grant agreements, financial reports,

invoices, receipts, and correspondence, in accordance with INARA’s document retention
policies.

• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals and budget narratives for new funding opportunities, providing input on financial planning, budget development, and cost allocation.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
•  1 to 3 years of experience in financial reporting, or nonprofit finance roles.
• Strong understanding of grant accounting principles, donor requirements, and complianceregulations.
•  Proficiency in financial management software, preferably QuickBooks, and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting and grant documentation.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, in English and Arabic.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
•  Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.