Finance Senior Associate – Dalberg

Closing Date 23 Apr 2023

DALBERG We are a global group working to build a more inclusive and sustainable world where all people, everywhere, can reach their fullest potential. We partner with and serve communities, governments, and companies throughout the world, providing an innovative mix of advisory, investment, research, analytics, and design services. Today’s complex global problems require new solutions. Comprised of Dalberg Advisors, Dalberg Data Insights, Dalberg Design, Dalberg Implement, Dalberg Media and Dalberg Research, and a not-for-profit, Dalberg Catalyst, our businesses approach problems differently and work together to create impact at scale. We are from everywhere, at home anywhere – an African and American company as much as an Asian, Middle Eastern, and European one.

Dalberg is a place where a diverse mix of talented individuals are able to bring their authentic selves to work – whether it’s how you identify, where you come from, the languages you speak, the person you love, the way you worship. Dalberg is a home where people feel safe, understood, nurtured and encouraged to grow.

As a team of 700+ people from 55 countries, speaking over 90 languages collectively, with a 40% female leadership team, Dalberg places diversity, equity and inclusion principles at the heart of our organization and the work we do alongside our clients, partners and communities.

Established in 2001 by experienced private sector consultants, Dalberg operates from 29 worldwide locations. For more information, please visit Dalberg.

ABOUT YOU
The Finance Senior Associate is a critical member of the Dalberg Africa Finance team managing the finance operations across Dalberg. The Finance Senior Associate is responsible for ensuring that Dalberg financial information is complete and financially sound; that they are managed through a robust and proactive reporting system and provide accurate, financial reporting insights to enable comprehensive financial decision-making.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in fields such as Business Administration, Accounting / Finance, Commerce, Business Management.
• 7 years’ experience in similar position providing support in operations management, finance management, resources management and administration.
• Full professional fluency in English and French.
• Excellent knowledge of the SYSCOHADA accounting system is compulsory.
• A recognized professional Certification in Accounting will be a plus.
• Good knowledge of IFRS and Taxation Management.
• Experience working in a consulting or audit firm is highly preferred.
• Good computer skills (Word, Excel, Internet/Email) and experience working with an ERP system.
• Maconomy would be a plus.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Expertise in filing techniques and rules.
• Flexibility, ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Strong organizational skills and good sense of responsibility.

Note: Employment in Dalberg’s offices is contingent on the candidate having the requisite authorization to live and work permanently in that country.

WHAT YOU WILL DO AND HOW YOU WILL GROW
Reporting to the CFO Africa, the Finance Senior Associate will work directly with the Africa’s regional Finance team to the effective running of the regional offices, although mainly assisting the Abidjan and Conakry offices.

Key responsibilities include:

Finance Accounting and Reporting:

Prepare accurate, timely, and prudent financial and management information reports to support effective financial decisions:

• Prepare and or extract periodic financial statements to inform on current status and projected performance to the different stakeholders e.g. management and other stakeholders (Statutory accounts).
• Review, maintain, and reconcile general ledgers and sub ledgers in the financial information system.
• Review payment vouchers to ensure timeliness, completeness, and accuracy of supporting information in the processing of payments.
• Keep abreast of changes in financial regulations and legislation, and ensure compliance with statutory obligations to minimise risk of litigation, financial and reputational loss, etc.
• Ensure accurate submission of scheduled cashflow statements to management to guide decision making.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting of both Dalberg Africa – Project profitability report and year to date performance reports.
• Review the monthly financial reports submitted by the external accounting firm (SYSCOHADA accounting reports).
• Review the draft of the monthly tax returns and social contributions submitted by the external accounting firm and approve the payment.
• Share instantly all the accounting documents (vendors’ invoices, clients’ invoices, payment receipts, bank statements) with the external accounting firm for them to make the entries in the SYSCOHADA system.
• Prepare the monthly payroll for staff and share it with the external accounting firm for salary taxes calculation, social contributions and pay slips’ printing.

Analysis and Advisory

Ensure that all expenditures are aligned to Dalberg Africa budgets and prepare regular analysis of status highlighting any areas of concern:

• Advise on appropriate technology to meet the organisation’s financial data processing, controls, and reporting requirements.
• Contribute to the development of the annual budget by providing guidance to departments during budget planning.
• Support in preparation of monthly performance/variance analyses and forecast reports, carrying out cash flow analysis and management (financial projections) to inform management decisions.
• Review monthly expenditure and recommend areas where cost cutting can be made.
• Participate in identifying financial risks, and threats pertaining to financial processes and systems of the organisation.
• Coordinate, prepare and submit external audit materials.
• Lead the external audit mission and ensure that all the reports are transmitted by the external accounting firm within the agreed timeframe.
• Prepare the management report upon the completion of the audit of the annual financial statements.
• Review the draft of the contract for all the external consultants/subcontractors especially for taxes implications related to the service to be performed (refer to the legal and tax advisor if necessary).

Disbursements of payments

Ensure accurate and timely disbursement of funds; ensuring that payments are made to vendors, implementing partners, service providers and other stakeholders:

• Disburse all payments and funds in an accurate and timely manner and ensure the update of the general ledger.
• Process the payroll and other allowances, ensuring correct calculation of statutory deductions.
• Review and approve the expense sheets submitted on Maconomy and process the payment.
• Always ensure compliance with Dalberg ’s financial policies and standards when making payments.
• Ensure a timely approval of new suppliers, payments, and debit notes submitted on Maconomy.
• Ensure that taxes are paid, and reporting made timely and accurately; ensure collection of tax payment certificates.
• Reconcile account payables and prepare monthly cost center and operations performance reports.
• Prepare end of period adjustments; accruals for provisions for unbilled monthly expenses and amortization of prepayments.
• Ensure timely completion of the online payments, approving and notifying all the approving authorities of any transaction.

Financial Administration

Support the CFO Africa in ensuring that routine financial administration is carried out in accordance with good accounting practice:

• Oversee the accounts receivable by ensuring:.The debit notes and invoices raised are submitted on time.
• Follow up on invoicing with partners, associate partners and consultants.
• Review of intercompany invoices raised.
• Completion of intercompany reconciliations.
• Responsible for the Accounts payable by ensuring:All vendor invoices are captured correctly on Maconomy.
• Oversee the vendor / supplier management.
• Bimonthly review of accounts payables .
• Manage inventory at all times (consumables and fixed assets), and ensure that all Dalberg Africa’s fixed assets are on the register
• File all the financial records (both digital and physical).
• Actively participate in the sensitization of staff and suppliers and provide guidance on improved payment processes, accountability, and practices.

Financial System Operation

Support the CFO Africa to develop and implement an efficient finance management system with appropriate controls; act as systems administrator for the Maconomy:

• Work with the IT person to continuously develop and improve the Finance Management System; seek opportunities to streamline the system to reduce workload and enhance the quality management reporting.
• Capture all accounting entries into Maconomy, ensuring accuracy and completeness of the process.
• Ensure that routine banking operations are conducted in a timely and secure manner.
• Take responsibility for ensuring that all taxes and statutory payments are accurately calculated and paid; coordinate efforts to claim any possible tax exemptions and/or VAT returns.

Team Leadership

• Lead the operations team effectively and efficiently to ensure the provision of high levels of (internal & external) customer service.
• Plan and organize the work of the unit to achieve team and functional objectives in the most cost-effective manner possible; ensuring that team members are given appropriate workloads and are working efficiently.
• Monitor and review performance; hold subordinates accountable for achieving results, meeting standards of excellence, and delivering any improvement goals which have been identified; taking decisive action in the case of poor performance.
• Provide leadership to the unit, managing performance and providing an engaging leadership style to ensure motivation; carry out their performance appraisals and identify training and development needs.

What We Offer:

• A highly collaborative, flat, and entrepreneurial organization that provides the platform to make an impact on day one.
• A uniquely talented, highly diverse, passionate, and fun team with a culture supportive of employee work/life balance.
• A deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism in our culture, beliefs, systems, and processes.
• Ability to influence best practices regionally and globally, working with colleagues located around the world.
• Competitive benefits and career development opportunities.

JOIN OUR TEAM
Our current opportunity is in the Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Your application should be submitted via our Career Centre by 11:59 EST on 23 April 2023.

Your application should include a resume and cover letter. Candidate applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Candidates selected for interviews will be invited for a number of interviews to test various skills including technical, problem solving, interpersonal skills, and to discuss interests and experience.

Owing to the large number of applications we receive; unfortunately, only successful candidates will be contacted.