Chief Accountant

By clicking above you agree to the PNet Terms of Use .Read our full Data Protection Policy here .You may unsubscribe at any time from PNet emails and services. A position has become available for a Chief Accountant to join our dynamic team.Kindly note that when you apply via cellphone you are not able to complete the required questionnaire. And if you do not complete the required questionnaire for the position, you will automatically be eliminated from further review. Duties & Responsibilities CCN PSCs may participate in temporary duty (TDY) travel to USAID/Washington and other Missions in order to participate in the Foreign Service National Fellowship Program described in ADS 495maa. Basic Function of Position: Serves as the Chief Accountant in the Office of Financial Management for USAID/Southern Africa and as Subject Matter Expert (SME) and technical advisor to the USAID Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Reports directly to the Deputy Controller and oversees program and operational expense budgeting, accounting, payments, reporting, internal controls, and the development and implementation of procedures for Angola, Namibia, Botswana and two non-presence countries, Lesotho and Eswatini. Directly and indirectly supervises and is responsible for the career development of over 27 staff. The Chief Accountant is a Phoenix Accounting System SME and provides input and recommends solutions for improvements and provides Phoenix training to staff. The Chief Accountant is involved in policy revision and the implementation of financial management improvements on behalf of USAID/Southern Africa and acts as the principal point of contact with the Office of Inspector General for financial operations matters. USAID/Southern Africa is the Agency's largest and most diverse bilateral assistance program. The program for Southern Africa and its client missions includes the largest PEPFAR projects in the world, development assistance, Power Africa and Presidential Initiatives with an operating year budget of a dollar appropriated combined pipeline of $360 million, with an annual operational expense budget of approximately $17 million, composed of both dollar-appropriated and working capital funds generated through alternate service provider budgets. Major Duties and Responsibilities: Management of Financial Operations - 50% The Incumbent is responsible for the financial management of USAID/Southern Africa and its client missions, comprising an annual operating year budget in excess of $480 million and dollar-appropriated combined pipeline of $840 million, with an annual operational expense budget of approximately $17 million. These funds are implemented through over 150 major grants and contracts with a total estimated cost of over a billion dollars. The incumbent manages disbursements of approximately $347 million per year. In coordination with the Executive Officer (EXO), prepares and executes the Mission's Operating Expense Budget and manages the level of USAID's share of the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (ICASS) budget and the Alternate Service Provider (ASP) budget. Supervises Accounts Payable and the voucher examination for all payments in dollars and local currency to vendors of USAID/Southern Africa and client missions. Oversees cashier operations provided through a local private bank. Supervises the Phoenix coordination staff to ensure efficient and effective operation of Phoenix (automated accounting system), Windows Time & Attendance (WINTA), End to End Travel System (E2), Agency Secure Image and Storage Tracking (ASIST) and the cash reconciliation and suspense account, through the use of the electronic cash and accounting reconciliation tool (eCART). Maintains a comprehensive accounting system for operating and program expenses, advances, payables, nonexpendable property, collections and budget allowance limitations. Oversees the reconciliation of fund balances with U.S. Treasury, U.S. Disbursing Offices and local banks. Supervises accounting and reporting of all dollar obligations, commitments and disbursements for USAID/Southern Africa, client Missions, and also oversees reporting to USAID/Washington. Analyzes the Missions' and outside clients' needs for financial information to ensure proper and sufficient reporting. Provides reports and financial management support and advice to all levels. Oversees the processing and development of pipeline analyses, including recommending deobligation and decommitment of all “excess” funds. Performs semi-annual 1311 review in accordance with USG policies and procedures. Leads USAID/Southern Africa's financial statement audit in accordance with the Government Management Reform Act (GMRA) and is conversant with auditors on all levels. Conducts the Mission's annual internal control assessment in accordance with the Federal Manager's Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) for the financial operations and ensures implementation of corrective actions. Responds to emergency requests, resolves problems and issues, and is authorized to make decisions relating to the integrity of financial operations and reporting. Supervision and Management of Financial Management Staff - 25% Directly supervises one Senior Accountant, four Accountants and three Accounting Technicians. The Chief Accountant acts as the lead FSN contact for the Controller and Deputy Controller on financial management operations. Provides supervision and guidance to subordinates, ensuring that they fully understand and implement agency financial policies, and applicable laws and regulations. Responsible for creating and implementing career development and training plans; quality control, and consistency among staff performance Conducts formal and informal training sessions on accounting, internal controls and accounts payable concepts for Southern Africa and limited client missions. Provides coaching and mentoring to staff. Is responsible for long-term strategic planning of objectives for current financial management staff, as well as interviewing potential employees. Responsible for planning, organizing and scheduling work of subordinates. Prepares performance plans for subordinates, evaluates their performance, and provides career counseling when necessary. Is accountable for the work result of the Operation's sections and is responsible for ensuring compliance with USAID accounting, budgeting and systems policies and procedures - including quality control, consistency of performance, and integrity of financial transactions and reporting. Plans and implements financial management support (temporary duty or virtual) to and from the client missions served to ensure proper coverage, on the job training, provision of guidance, evaluation and assessment of financial operations and recommends improvements to operations and systems. Program Support - 15% Monitors performance, documentation, and assesses quarterly reviews of the validity of all obligations in accordance with Section 1311 of the Supplemental Appropriation Act. In addition to ensuring a robust process in determining the validity of recorded obligations and commitments, the Chief Accountant clears proposals to de-obligate/de-commit funds in order to achieve best use of USAID resources, including reallocation of residual resources. Provides guidance to team members in developing accrued expenditures for the entire portfolio, including support to USAID/Namibia, USAID/Angola, USAID/Botswana, and the non-presence missions in Lesotho and Eswatini. Policies and Procedures Development - 10% The Chief Accountant reviews, evaluates, updates, develops and ensures implementation and monitoring of the financial management procedures, policies, and internal controls/segregation of duties, clarification of ambiguous policy points, roles, and authorities and responsibilities for all functional areas of financial management of USAID/Southern Africa and missions served, including developing flow charts, procedural narratives, written instructions/guidance, draft mission orders, and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with client missions. POSITION ELEMENTS Supervision Received: The incumbent works closely but relatively independently with all USDH supervisors and is supervised directly by the Deputy Controller. Supervision Exercised: Indirectly supervises more than 27 employees. Directly supervises and evaluates two Senior Accountants, four Accountants, and three Accounting Technicians. Responsible for providing guidance to all financial management staff in the missions served. Available Guidelines: USAID Automated Directive System, Foreign Affairs Manual, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Federal Travel Regulations, Department of State Standardized Regulations, Mission Orders. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent is expected to make independent judgments on strategy, long term plans, and on-going operations as well as the other responsibilities. He/she has a broad delegation of authority under which he/she implements broad objectives with limited or no supervision. Makes independent judgment in many significant issues related to USAID/Southern Africa and client missions. Manages financial operations and payment functions, exercising good judgment for timely processing of actions. Exercises independent judgment for required changes in Agency-wide financial policies and recommends changes, which are usually incorporated by USAID/Washington key officials and Chief Financial Office (CFO) office. Also exercises independent judgment in dealing with the Inspector General in performing their audits on USAID/Southern Africa and client missions. In addition, the incumbent exercises independent judgment in providing input for the overall configuration of any new financial systems, impacts the agency deployment strategy and financial policy changes to serve such a strategy. Authority to Make Commitments: The incumbent has an integral role in the clearance proc...