Job Description

The Government of the Republic of Ghana (GoG) has secured a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) amounting to UA9.59 million. The AfDB Unit of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) is the executing agency for the project. The grant is to promote competitiveness and private sector led inclusive growth through improved public resources management and enhanced competitiveness of the private sector.

The AfDB Unit of MoFEP now intends to apply part of the proceeds of this grant to eligible payments under the contract for the engagement of suitably qualified individual for the following position to be based at the Project Management Support Unit at the MoF in Accra.

The Project Accountant will

• Prepare and update the project financial procedures manual that will ensure compliance with accounting policies and practices as stipulated in the financial management regulations! procedures agreed for the project;
• Establish and maintain an integrated accounting system for all' approved project activities to ensure smooth flow and constant availability of financial resources to the project and utilising standard accounting procedures, which will ensure full documentation and, recording of sources and uses of funds;
• Prepare annual workplans and budget in consultation with the Project Manager;
• Prepare, analyse and consolidate reports in accordance with agreed reporting schedules ensuring correlation between implementation progress and financial performance;     ,
• Prepare project financial reports and withdrawal application for the replenishment of Designated Account, for submission to AfDB;
• Maintain all accounting records and relevant books of account in line with approved accounting standards and in line with AfDB and Government regulations;
• Prepare periodic reports (monthly, quarterly and annually) in the formats approved by AfDB;
• Ensure prompt release of funds, once approved, to beneficiaries;
• Ensure that all accounting records are updated regularly
• Ensure invoices submitted for payment are promptly attended to and processed;
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations of all project accounts;
• Issue receipts, prepare payment vouchers and maintain cash records in accordance with accounting procedures;
• Manage the petty cash float and maintain petty cash book, ensuring that petty cash disbursements are appropriately and adequately documented; liaise with external auditors and follow up on audit queries and recommendations in management letters;
• Any other duties assigned by the Project Manager or the Head of AfDB
• Unit of MoF and other tasks as the job role may demand from time to time.

Required Skills or Experience

The Project Accountant should fulfill the following criteria:

• A Professional qualification in Accounting (CPA, ACCA,ICAG holder or equivalent);
• An academic degree in relevant discipline e.g. Accounting. Business Administration, or Finance;
• A very good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel, and good presentation skills and use of computerised accounting system;
• Perfect command of written and oral English is a must;
• Excellent communication skills and intercultural sensitivity are essential.

General professional experience

• Minimum of 3-5 years post qualification experience in a complex environment including managing an accounting
• department and donor funded project accounts. Audit experience would be an advantage;
• Knowledge of international financial reporting standards and international standards of auditing;
• Experience in interpreting financial management reports, analysing variations to plans and determining remedial actions required;
• Knowledge of public sector accounting procedures and operational knowledge international and country financial and accounting management practices, including MIS applications;
• Ability to advise and disseminate financial management knowledge. supervisory skills and capacity to be a member of a multidisciplinary team to provide advice and recommend actions.

Specific professional experience

• Experience and familiarity with AfDB reporting requirements, disbursement procedures, submission of withdrawal applications and the maintenance of Designated Accounts;
• Excellent technical and conceptual knowledge about financial management and grasp of financial principles and practices;
• Analytical skills, ability to develop and implement accounting systems;
• Have adherence to integrity and Confidentiality.

Duration
The duration of the assignment is for 24 calendar months.