Accountant - USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative (TEI)

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.
The goal of the Teacher Excellence Initiative (TEI) project is to improve the
quality and relevance of teacher preparation in Egyptian public universities
so that current and future primary school teachers have enhanced skills to
increase student learning and advance the Ministry of Education and Technical
Education 's (MOETE) reform. The activity will achieve this goal through the
following results:
* At least ‎7,500 pre-service teachers in undergraduate programs at Faculties of Education in five Egyptian universities have the skills and knowledge to apply practice-based, experiential teaching methods in the classroom.
* ‎5,000 in-service teachers in postgraduate programs at Faculties of Education in ‎15 Egyptian universities apply practice-based, experiential teaching methods in the classroom.
* ‎50 Government of Egypt personnel from the MOETE, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), and the Supreme Council of Universities demonstrate improved capacity to jointly plan, manage, and adapt teacher education.

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Director of Finance, Operations and
Administration, the Accountant is a key member of USAID TEI field finance
team. S/he will play a pivotal role in assuring adherence to EDC & USAID
financial policies, project policies and procedures, regulations, controls,
and reporting systems. The Accountant will lead the accounting of the TEI
office and ensure compliance with all relevant accounting and financial
reporting functions and local statutory requirements. S/he will be responsible
for recording costs and day to day general accounting, accounts
receivables/payables, payroll and assuring all backup documentation is audit
ready. The Accountant may perform any other related duties in support and as
assigned by the DFOA.
Essential functions include, but not limited to the following:
* Record project transactions in QuickBooks, utilizing the correct charge codes and monitoring alignment to budgeted activities.
* Ensure that all payments adhere to EDC policies and procedures.
* Prepare and submit monthly bank reconciliation and all month-end reports for review by DFOA.
* Monitor and report on vendor payment schedules and obligations.
* Review the work of the Finance Assistant to ensure completeness, accuracy, and full compliance with EDC policies and procedures.
* Prepare weekly cash flow needs for review by the DFOA and approval by Chief of Party and follow up with U.S. Home Office for wiring.
* Provide first-level review of all invoices, advances and reimbursements, checks, wire transfer payments and VAT Purchase Orders for approval and processing, ensuring accuracy and timely execution.
* Monitor advances to employees and ensures timely liquidation.
* Preview all back-up documentation and to ensure completeness, accuracy, and full compliance with EDC policies and procedures. Ensure all supporting financial documentation is scanned and digitally archived on a monthly basis per EDC file retention policies.
* Ensure leave balances, tax withholdings, and other government contributions are recorded accurately and paid; escalate to the DFOA all unresolved matters.
* Ensure the safeguarding of checks and other office documents such as vehicle licenses, contracts, and leases in conjunction with Office and HR Manager.
* Work with the TEI procurement team to ensure that invoices are paid in a timely manner and escalate any delays of vendor payments/other issues to the DFOA immediately.
* Maintain and closely monitor accurate cashbooks for all the bank account ensuring that the project is liquid all the time, and before payments are released.
* Ensure adherence to systems and controls, make recommendations for improvements / adjustments.
* Work with the DFOA to support tracking of spending against the approved budget, as well as forecasting.
* Assist DFOA in preparing for all internal and external audits and participate in specific audit efforts as needed.
* Prepare reports for monthly journal entries to be performed by the DFOA.
* If applicable, monitor and review technical staff level of effort in line with USAID cost categories to ensure proper time allocation.
* Perform any other duties as assigned by the DFOA.

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Qualifications**
* Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or other related degree required. Master's degree preferred.
* ‎6 - ‎7 years of progressively responsible and directly relevant experience required.
* Experience supporting large USAID or other international donor-funded projects required.
* Experience working with QuickBooks accounting system required.
* Experience working with computers, especially MS Word and MS Excel required.
* Knowledge of Egyptian 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 hands-on, independently, and within team in a fast-paced work environment

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Additional Information**
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.