Finance Manager

Key Responsibilities:

Execute payment processes, including the verification of invoices with relevant supporting documents and the actual disbursement of funds through various channels (cash, bank transfer, or Telegraphic Transfers (TT)). For TT, coordinate and correspond with banks to schedule appointments.

Address compliance requests from banks or intermediary banks related to almost all payments.

Facilitate cash reconciliation processes, including counting and verification, and ensure the accuracy of cash and bank reconciliation.

Track all cash documentation, including safe, and advances.

Prepare monthly weighted averages.

Ensure accuracy and completion of all transactions, from budgeting to accounting.

Close monthly finance periods and generate reports.

Monitor cash flow, approve plans, and oversee disbursement requests from HQ.

Match and reconcile the general ledger/trial balance with the budget tracker.

Conduct monthly reconciliations of all ledgers, including expenditures and prepaid items.

Collaborate with internal and external auditors, responding to audit reports and requests.

Prepare and submit all donor financial reports to the finance donor focal point or the designated system (e.g., GMS with UNOCHA).

Organize and maintain up-to-date financial document filing in both digital and hard copy formats.

Track percentage allocation on all budget lines across projects.

Prepare monthly payroll for employees, consultancies, and volunteers, including project and budget allocations.

Allocate monthly insurance costs to budget lines and projects.

Develop and update project budgets for private funds and grants, following up on amendments and reflecting budget changes accordingly.

Check and approve subgrant agreements during inception.

Represent SAMS in LHIF Finance Working Group.

Monitor donor payments, requesting installments as needed according to the grant agreement.

Post on cost point and code all budgets with references on cost point.

Track accruals on cost point.

Ensure compliance with SAMS finance manual and donor regulations.

Manage the finance team, including 2 direct reports.

Follow up on deliverables and performance of the team.

Track leaves and manage capacity building for the team on related policies and procedures.

Work with project leads/teams on budget for each project, spending plan at the onset of any project and continue to monitoring expenditures throughout project period.

Work with Regional Office and HQ Finance focal points on financial tool management and internal reporting when needed.

Required Education and Essential Skills

Bachelor's degree in finance or a related field.

Proficiency in English and Arabic.

Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, preferably in similar roles within NGOs.

Good knowledge of Excel and other office applications, as well as experience with ERP systems (Deletek Cost Point preferred).

Competencies

Financial Acumen: Demonstrates a solid understanding of financial principles, accounting practices, and budget management.

Attention to Detail: Meticulous in reviewing and auditing supplier invoices, ensuring accuracy and adherence to SAMS policies.

Organizational Skills: Efficiently coordinates with employees and suppliers, ensuring timely submission of invoices and related documents. Maintains an organized filing and archiving process.

Analytical Thinking: Capable of monitoring expenditures and conducting budget analysis, ensuring appropriate utilization of program funds.

Currency Knowledge: Knowledgeable about Lebanese Pound (LBP) rates and requirements, enabling effective follow-up on currency-related matters.

Record-Keeping: Skilled in accurately recording all financial transactions in the SAMS system, maintaining data integrity.

Reconciliation and Adjustments: Proficient in preparing monthly reconciliations for SAMS accounts and adjustments for various adjusting accounts.

Vendor Management: Proactively follows up with the Bank to ensure timely receipt of payments and resolve any delays.

Compliance and Audit: Assists with donor spot checks and audits, ensuring adherence to financial policies and procedures.

Payroll Coordination: Capable of preparing and managing monthly project payroll, collaborating with employees to obtain necessary salary documents.

Budget Management: Works closely with the Project leads (Program Coordinators) to ensure expenditures align with the project budget lines.

Personal Characteristics:

Integrity: Demonstrates honesty, ethics, and accountability in all financial activities and decision-making.

Attention to Confidentiality: Respects the confidentiality of financial information and handles sensitive data with discretion.

Proactive: Takes initiative, shows resourcefulness, and seeks opportunities for improvement in financial processes and systems.

Adaptability: Flexible and open to change, able to adjust quickly to shifting priorities and organizational needs.

Attention to Deadlines: Punctual and deadline-oriented, ensuring timely completion of financial tasks and deliverables.

Attention to Quality: Strives for excellence in financial management, producing accurate and reliable reports and documentation.

In-depth knowledge of financial regulations and account processes.

Very good communication skills, both verbal and written.

Strong organizational skills to handle multiple tasks effectively.