Accountant

Company Description

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Project Description

USAID’s Tisamale Mabuku Project (TMP) activates the role of communities and civil society in the management and utilization of National Reading Program (NRP) Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) and works with Ministry of Education (MoE) system stakeholders at all levels to strengthen TLM provision and use through community engagement, social accountability and collaborative governance. EDC and its team of Malawian civil society partners work with school community management groups, including School Management Committees (SMCs), Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), and Mothers Groups (MGs), district-based MoE staff and Civil Society organizations to co-create sustainable solutions for improved TLM management, replenishment, and use that are owned by participants and reflect local contexts.

Job Description

The Accountant will assist the Director of Finance and Operations in performing project accounting tasks. S/he will be responsible for preparing timely and accurate financial reports and assisting in the preparation of financial spreadsheets, cash flow forecasts, data entry, corresponding with vendors, as appropriate, and ensuring the project is compliant with USAID financial regulations. This position reports to the Director of Finance and Operations. This is a full-time position based in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Essential functions include, but not limited to the following: 

• Supports the Director of Finance and Operations in conducting day-to-day finance operations, including implementation of EDC and USAID policies, procedures and systems 

• Supports the Director of Finance and Operations in the preparation of project monthly financial reports and tracking of spending against the approved budget 

• Manages the process of clearing bills, advance reconciliation, payments, and vouchers, including a review and certification of supporting documentation to ensure it is compliant with local tax laws, as well as USAID and EDC policies 

• Records project transactions in QuickBooks, utilizing the correct charge codes and monitoring alignment to budgeted activities 

• Monitor and report on vendor payment schedules and obligations. 

• Monitor advances to employees and ensures timely liquidation 

• Prepares the bank reconciliation of each account prior to the monthly close 

• Supports the Director of Finance and Operations in preparing wire transfer requests 

• Works closely with the EDC Home Office in Washington, DC, to ensure reconciliation of monthly expense reports and respond to any inquiries, as necessary; 

• Assists in the preparation of monthly financial spreadsheets, cash flow forecasts in accordance with appropriate procedures; 

• Provides necessary information to payroll service provider to ensure salaries are being processed in accordance with statutory requirements; 

• Ensure leave balances, tax withholdings, and other government contributions are recorded accurately and paid. 

• Scans and files all supporting financial documentation on a monthly basis per EDC file retention policies; 

• Demonstrates a high level of professionalism and ethics when dealing with documentation and related information on sensitive and confidential matters, as well as with EDC colleagues; 

• Conducts checks on compliance with USAID’s Anti-Terrorist Certification (“ATC”) regulations; and; 

• Other duties as required. 

Qualifications

Education:

Secondary education is required; 4 to 5 years of directly relevant experience required; additional technical or collegiate education desirable.

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 4 to 5 years of directly relevant experience; 

• Experience supporting USAID or other international donor-funded projects required 

• Proficiency working with QuickBooks accounting system required 

• Proficiency in MS Excel and MS Word; 

• Knowledge of Malawian labor and tax laws; 

• Detail-oriented and organized;

• Must be able to work within a cross-cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically, and function well under pressure;

• Ability to work independently, as well as within a team in difficult work environment; 

• Certified Public Accountant. 

• Excellent writing skills 

• Demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility 

• Ability to work independently and effectively in groups 

• Strong interpersonal & organizational skills 

• Willingness to travel to provinces covered by the project

Language:

Fluency in Chichewa and English is required.

Additional Information

Job closing date: December 9, 2024

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.