Accountant

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is seeking an Accountant  for a potential one-year Health System strengthening project in Ukraine, funded by the US Government. 

Overall Responsibilities:

The Accountant oversees the overall accounting and payroll administration duties of the office in Ukraine under Finance and Operations Director supervision. He/she is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of technical efforts and field activities by providing accounting services, payments and other bank operations, payroll administration to facilitate the implementation of the MSH Ukraine Projects’ activities. The Accountant ensures that accounting, personnel, and payroll administration systems are conducted according to MSH regulations, standard operating procedures, and good business practices.

The Accountant safeguards the assets (financial and physical) of MSH or other donors against fraud, loss or misuse. He or she ensures that any money expended in the field is done in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, MSH Policy, and any cost principles imposed by MSH or a donor agency. He or she must demonstrate the ability to use sound business judgment in assuring that all costs are reasonable and necessary for the completion of the office projects and MSH’s mission.

The MSH Accountant embodies MSH’s values and is aware of and adheres to MSH procurement integrity and institutional standards and procedures in all project management responsibilities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Accounting Activities

• Manage cash flow, including funds transfers from MSH, local currency exchange, and petty cash, as per MSH policies and procedures.
• Prepare necessary documents for the bank payments according to the MSH financial procedures, MSH authority matrix and legal regulations of Ukraine.
• Record in QuickBooks/ QBO all approved payments for the local vendors, contractors and consultants for goods and services received, in accordance with the laws and regulations of Ukraine, MSH standard operating procedures and donor regulations.
• Complete month-end closing by the 5th business day of each month.  Submit monthly expenses and upload them to MSH’s Corporate Accounting System. Ensure timely and accurate data entry, including journal entries for non-routine expenses as needed. Download all expenses to the MSH financial system Costpoint each month and reconcile bank accounts with Corporate Accounting as part of the month-end close process.
• Ensure that all paid invoices agree with supporting documentation, including price quotes, purchase requests, purchase orders, FED checks and shipping receipts, and/or other documents as per MSH procedures for procurement.
• Maintain current standing with all mandated tax liabilities and organization registrations.
• Manage the issuance, monthly reconciliation, and collection of project advances. Track and resolve outstanding unliquidated advances in strict accordance with SOP timelines and MSH policies
• Prepare VAT report and submit to the tax authority each month.
• Maintain communication with the HQ support teams (Corporate Accounting), project management and other relevant staff, provide guidance and support to MSH Ukraine staff on financial and accounting issues and regulations
• Fill the payment tracker with complete and accurate payment related data and generate links to folders with relevant documents. 
• Provide necessary operational support for all internal and external audits, under the supervision of the Finance and Operations Director

Payroll process

• Manage timesheets for office staff, ensuring timely submission, approval, accuracy, and filing, as per MSH procedures for recording of time worked.
• Upload time keeping/payroll information into QBO. 
• Review and prepare as necessary country activity travel advances and work with country program staff to resolve accounting related issues, as per MSH policy and procedures for request for advances and reimbursement (TEF) procedures.
• Work with the contracted local accounting firm to process and record local payroll, taxes and pension contributions and benefits and local auditing firm to conduct audit.
• Administer local benefits plans, including pension and health insurance, track staff vacation and sick leave balances.
• Manage local consultants: Ensuring that Consultants’ documentations are verified prior, during engagement, and effectively closing out consultancy after the contractual period. Follow up with consultants to ensure correct documentation prior to payment. Managing Consultant's trackers and making sure information is updated.

 Office inventory and other tasks

• Maintain inventories and controls over project office fixed assets, such as furnishing and computer equipment. Take full and overall responsibility by leading physical check-up twice a year (December 30 and May 30).
• Other tasks as requested by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education

Required: bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or relevant field.

Required Experience 

• At least 3 years of experience in an independent accounting position with advanced bookkeeping responsibilities

 Knowledge and Skills 

• Experience working with international organizations, donor-funded projects or DOS preferred.
• Experience in working with QBO (QuickBooks On-line) preferred.
• Computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Excel spreadsheets, word processing, and electronic mail along with data entry experience).
• Experience developing and interpreting standard financial reports 
• (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow) and creation of Journal entries required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and ability to communicate in English 
• including reading, writing and speaking skills. 
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills

Competencies

• Independent judgment is required to plan, prioritize, and organize a diverse workload
• Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and multitask
• Proactive, pragmatic and resourceful problem solver
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with stakeholders including staff, board members, as well as external partners/customers.
• Ability to deliver excellent customer care, externally and internally, in a professional manner
• Effective team player that completes individual tasks on time, closes communication loops and asks clarifying questions to assure mutual understanding
• Excellent communication skills for team members and clients, even in stressful situations
• Outstanding project management and problem-solving skills with impeccable multi-tasking abilities.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. MSH complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, and all related applicable regulations.

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