Finance Officer (FO)

ORGANIZATION Summary

4Ward Development West Africa (4WardWA), formerly known as Access Development is a well-established Safe Water Enterprise (SWE) with business subsidiaries in Ghana and Uganda that provide safe water services at a District-Wide Scale. With over a decade experience in providing safe water to more than 600,000 people through 2,000 water points across Africa by 2006, our goal is to exceed the expectations of rural and peri-urban customers by consistently delivering high-quality water. We pioneered the implementation of an innovative water system with our Numa model together with owners, Water4 (a Non-profit organization). 4Ward WA, a subsidiary of Water4 is a wholly owned for-profit Subsidiaries of Water4, Inc.

The 4WardWA suite of water solutions is designed to provide safe water tailored to consumer demand, including: hand-pumps with professional management, public retail points, and private water connections for households, schools, clinics, and businesses.

4WardWA has current operations in the Wassa East district, Western region, Ghana, where we have provided the entire district with access to safe water and adjourning communities in the Komenda, Edna-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal. This is in partnership with Water4, The Dutch Government (RVO), Hilton Foundation, Wassa East District Assembly, and many other partners. 4WardWA is scaling up its operations in Upper West and Savanna Regions in 2022 in partnership Water4, Helmsley Trust Foundation and Global Communities, with more partners to come as part of our strategy to provide three districts in these regions with safe water services.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Finance Officer (FO) will be responsible for assisting the General Manager in executing financial duties with the organization. This role involves overseeing the financial transactions, including budgeting, bank reconciliations, financial reporting, and accounts payable and receivable. S/he should be able to coach, provide expertise, and may oversee the work of other finance assistants.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Track all related income and expenditure of Numa Systems, location by location for the Region.

  • Undertake financial accounting reporting for the Region.

  • Enforce and monitor internal controls in consultation with the National Finance and Procurement Manager

  • Reconcile vendor and other sundry debtors accounts and ensure that they agree with the cash collections statements before their final lodgment into the bank.

  • Supervise Bank/Cash Book reconciliations.

  • Complete company statutory obligation schedules to appropriate authorities.

  • Manage the Regional fixed assets.

  • Undertake inventory and make the relevant entries into quick books software for the Region.

  • Enter data to the General Ledger and ensure that only complete, accurate and properly authorized transactions are entered into the system (QuickBooks).

  • Resolve all matters and queries arising out of the regional financial accounting returns.

  • Scan and store financial documents for the regions and make them accessible to National Office, Auditors and Grant funders.

  • Ensure compliance with financial regulations and laws

  • Participate in the regional annual operating budget planning and preparations.

  • Collaborate in the regional management accounts.

  • Enter data of approved annual operating budgets into the general ledgers in the QuickBooks.

  • Prepare periodic and ad-hoc management reports to meet departmental needs.

  • Spearhead all Financial digitization policies and processes for the Region.

other responsibilities

  • Collaborate with other departments to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization's operations.

  • Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulations and laws.

  • Keep up-to-date with changes in financial regulations and laws.

Key Expected Results

  • Financial Accounting Management: Maintain accurate financial records and provide timely financial reports to the organization's leadership and stakeholders.

  • Compliance with financial regulations and laws: Expected to ensure that the organization complies with financial regulations and laws, thereby avoiding legal or financial penalties.

  • Data Analysis: Expected to analyze financial and logistics data and make recommendations for improvement, enabling the organization to operate more efficiently and effectively.

  • Report Writing: Effective and accurate financial accounting report being produced on a timely basis

qualification

Education***

  • First Degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce or a related field

  • At least a level three professional student (ICA/ACCA/CPA/CIMA).

  • Strong IT background.

Experience

  • Not less than 5 years of experience working in a similar capacity; or, any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved

REPORTING

The FO will report to and work closely with the General Manager, North East Operations. 

WORKING CONDITION

Work Environment: Office – Standard Office Environment. Must live in and around Tamale or must be willing to relocate

Travel Requirements: Minimal travel required for this role

PREFERRED SKILLS

  • Proven experience in financial management.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

  • Proficiency in financial management software.

  • Knowledge of financial regulations and laws in Ghana

  • IFRS / IAS standards

  • In depth knowledge of Quick Books

  • Supervisory and coaching skills

GENERAL COMPETENCIES

The following competencies are expected of all 4Ward Development employees:

Job knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge of purposes, objectives, practices and procedures required to perform the job.

Productivity: Produces a volume of work consistent with the normal requirements of the job.

Quality of work: Work is accurate, thorough and timely according to agreed standards and expectations agreed.

Communication: Expresses information verbally and in writing in a clear and coherent manner.

Reliability: Can be depended upon to perform assigned tasks in a timely manner and degree of supervision required.

Initiative: Exhibits drive to complete tasks and takes charge in the absence of detailed instructions.

Delegation: Delegating and following up regularly to ensure that delegated duties and responsibilities are carried out.

Teamwork: Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers and works to share responsibilities towards common targets.

Leadership: Motivates and builds morale, eliciting cooperation from subordinates and achieving results through a team effort.

Constructive Feedback: Accepts improvement-oriented ideas and offers the same to colleagues or those under their supervision

LOCATION

This position is Located in Tamale, Northern, Ghana.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS JOB 

Please send cover letter, resume, references and salary requirements to: hello@4ward.co by the close of business on 16th February, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please include the job location Tamale in your e-mail subject.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Equivalent education, training and/or certification may be substituted for experience and education shown above Equivalent education, training and/or certification may be substituted for experience and education shown above