Associate, Finance and Accounting

Position Overview

About Rare

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. For 50 years, across 60 countries, we have inspired and empowered millions of people and their communities to shift their behaviors and practices to protect our shared planet. We are a global leader in driving social change for people and nature and believe that the cumulative power of individual and community action is a vital pathway to safeguarding and restoring our shared waters, lands, and climate.  Rare’s organizational culture is results-oriented, and entrepreneurial, and our global programs cover the thematic areas of climate change, fisheries and marine conservation, sustainable agriculture food security, and Green Recovery.  

Position Overview

Working closely with the Manager, Finance and Grants, the Associate, Finance and Accounting provides accounting, finance, payroll, and administrative support to Rare Philippines. This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Essential Functions

The Associate, Finance and Accounting will be primarily responsible for the following:

Accounting and Financial Management (50%)

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) related to taxes withheld from vendors.
• Prepare and submit fund requests to Headquarters (HQ), as needed, to maintain adequate cash availability. Monitor and ensure sufficient bank balances at all times to support scheduled disbursements and payments.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for banks and government agencies on statutory matters. Ensure that relevant account information and records are updated as needed.
• Assist in maintaining and updating the staff reimbursement tracker to ensure the accurate and timely recording of reimbursement requests.
• Assist in reviewing and verifying expense reports, including liquidation reports for cash advances and credit card expenses.
• Provide technical assistance and support to staff to ensure compliance with Finance policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Review, verify, and record bank debit and credit memos in the Sage Intacct accounting system.
• Prepare and record payroll-related journal entries in the Sage Intacct accounting system to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Prepare month-end closing, including bank reconciliations, cash advance monitoring, and credit card account reconciliations, to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all Rare documents, records, and information obtained during the course of employment.

Payroll Management (45%)

• Prepare and process Rare Philippines payroll using the Sprout Payroll System and BPI BizLink, including coordinating with HQ regarding payroll changes for each pay period.
• Distribute payslips to staff immediately after payroll processing.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) related to employee withholding taxes, and ensure the timely remittance and posting of statutory contributions and loan payments to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS), and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund/HDMF).
• Prepare and distribute BIR Form 2316 to employees in a timely manner and ensure proper acknowledgment of receipt.
• Manage the online platforms used for remittances to the BIR, SSS, PhilHealth, and HDMF.
• Respond to and assist staff with concerns related to statutory contributions, premiums, and loan amortizations.

Donor Compliance and Staff Support (5%)

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff.
• Assist in conducting onboarding sessions for new hires and sub-grantees.
• Provide staff with updates on the status of cash advances and credit card balances.
• Assist during annual compliance audits, spot checks, and donor financial reviews.
• Ensure the timely submission of the Audited Financial Statements (AFS) and General Information Sheet (GIS) in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Archive Audited Financial Statements for filing with the BIR and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Working Relationships within Rare

 

Internal (Team)

This role works closely with the Manager, Finance and Grants and the Finance Team to ensure that Rare Philippines' payroll and statutory obligations are accurately managed and processed on schedule.

 

External (Other Teams)

This role collaborates with the Program Implementation Team (PIT) and the Shared Services Group (SSG) to ensure compliance with donor financial management requirements and the timely submission of financial reports.

Required Experience and Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in Accounting, Finance, Payroll Administration, or a similar role.
• Previous experience working in an international and cross-cultural environment is an advantage.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, as needed, to support a global organization across multiple time zones.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with accounting and payroll systems is required.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple projects, take initiative, and follow through with exceptional attention to detail.

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and scanners.

 

Physical Demands

This position is primarily sedentary. However, occasional light physical activity may be required, such as walking around the office, lifting reams of paper, or moving chairs, boxes, and other office equipment and supplies.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours may occasionally be required to meet organizational needs.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Rare is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.