Project Accountant

Chemonics International is a major international development consultancy, with a 46-year history and a track record for delivering integrated solutions across multiple sectors and geographies to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals. With experience in over 150 countries and a global network of over 5,000 technical specialists, Chemonics is recognised as one of the world’s leading partners for international development.

Chemonics UK was established in 2019 and has quickly developed a strong and diverse portfolio of UK Aid-funded programmes. Chemonics UK works with government and development sector counterparts across three continents to deliver programmes in sectors including climate action, education, governance, peacebuilding, stabilisation, social cohesion, and research.

Purpose

The Project Accountant (PA) will be responsible for undertaking various project accounting tasks including monthly invoicing, client and internally focused month-end reporting, budget tracking, and forecast preparation across an allocated portfolio or in support of the overall deliverables required from the project accounting team. The Project Accountant will use their accounting knowledge to support project financial reporting and assist in continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Finance

• Manage day-to-day support to one or more project teams and clients, including communicating and assisting with project-office requests and overseeing adherence to project contractual requirements, government regulations, and Chemonics policies.
• Prepare and process timely and accurate client invoices and accompanying financial reporting adhering to any KPI requirements.
• Monitor project fees and expenses against initial budgets and revised projections, ensuring to identify risk of over and under-spends across the entire contract.
• Support with forecasting monthly, quarterly, yearly financial in coordination with Programme Manager.
• Support in preparation of latest estimates to complete (ETC) and estimates at completion (EAC) for projects.
• Ensure project team(s) understand schedule slippage impacts costs, delivery of milestones (revenues, cash).
• Monitor and report on the level of risk held within Projects and risk evolution.
• Respond to all financial aspects of programme queries as they arise.
• Support programme finance discussion, internal and external.

Corporate Finance

• Support Senior Project Accountant with preparation of monthly practice performance reporting and budget tracking.
• Support SPA with robust corporate finance forecasting.
• Responsible for completion of all portfolio Balance sheet reconciliations and help to resolve any discrepancies.
• Process monthly and year-end journals to facilitate compliance with project revenue recognition practices.
• Participate in monthly practice review meetings.
• Alert to financial risks on foreign exchange and currency within projects.
• Prepare information for, and ensure timely response to audits requests and queries both internally and externally.

General

• Perform all tasks and responsibilities demonstrating behaviours consistent with Chemonics’ values and competencies appropriate for the position.
• Develop effective working relationships with clients, counterparts, and stakeholders and continually promote outstanding client service with corporate office staff and project teams.
• Support with the development of systems and processes to ensure efficiency.
• Adhere to Chemonics’ quality standards and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality and observe data protection guidelines.
• Participate in training associated with the role.
• Any other duties as appropriate to the position, as requested.

Person Specification:

• Project Accounting experience, grant accounting experience and/or working with Institutional funders desirable.
• Communicates clearly and concisely in both verbal and written communications; strong cross-culture communication and sensitivity skills.
• Experience of working in a business partnering capacity with the ability to challenge the status quo is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience multitasking with attention to detail, organisation, and time management skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated experience following standard practices and procedures, receiving general instruction, and contributing to projects and initiatives, whether in an academic or business setting.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Works independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in problem-solving and initiative to learn new skills.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Foreign language proficiency in a relevant region we operate in is preferred.
• Part Qualified/Actively working towards a recognised accounting qualification or equivalent work experience required.

Other

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK or be eligible to obtain it.