Accounting & Finance Associate, Zambia

Organization Profile:

Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.

We are non-governmental, non-religious and work with many local NGOs and community based organizations to implement our programs. We currently work in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia – countries with a desperate lack of resources to educate their children. Since our inception, Room to Read’s worldwide team has impacted over 7.8 million children by constructing more than 1,700 schools, establishing over 16,000 libraries, publishing 882 new children’s book titles in 27 local languages, and reaching over 25,000 girls through our Girls’ Education program.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$43.7 million and our global staff numbers over 600. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Delhi, New York, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, Sydney, and Tokyo. We have an Asia Regional Office located in New Delhi and program offices in Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane.

Position Overview:

The Accounting and Finance Associate will assist and report to the Accounting and Finance Officer. Primary responsibilities include assisting in maintaining all aspects of the organization’s finances and accounting, human resources, and administrative initiatives. The position will have regular interactions with all staff.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Receive, check and verify invoices and allocate expenditures
• Prepare payments vouchers and write cheques and submit to approvers
• Receive and check travel expense reports and clear advances by receipting cash and passing journals
• Receipting and banking miscellaneous funds
• Post payments and journals into EPICOR GL system
• Update inventory /asset register from source documents
• Analyze country office vehicle usage
• Receive and check petty cash vouchers from Office Associate, reconcile and reimburse on imprest system
• Maintain all relevant accounting related documentation, registers and other records
• Assist in preparation of Country Office Budgets
• Assist in managing the budget vs. actual of the Country Office
• Assist the Accounting and Finance Officer to maintain excellent records related to bookkeeping, expenses, funds, that are all times accurate, valid and complete and sufficiently detailed and prepared for random spot checks by internal auditors

Qualifications:

Required:  

• Minimum qualification- ACCA/CIMA or equivalent , with at least 5 years of relevant, professional experience
• Working knowledge of accounting, reporting and administration
• Detail oriented and extremely organized
• Results oriented; commitment to quality and efficiency
• Adept at using accounting software, Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
• Good command of written and spoken English
• Willing and able to work in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment
• Flexible attitude towards changing priorities and ability to multi task.
• Takes initiative and a team player
• Excellent interpersonal skills

To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:

• Have a passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact an up-and-coming non-profit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker – you are not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Have a strong work ethic, take initiative, and require minimal direction
• Work well independently as well as part of a team
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

Compensation:

The salary range for this position will be determined based upon the experience of the candidate hired. Health and retirement benefits are also provided. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through the lifelong gift of education.

Application Procedure:

Please submit your resume and cover letter by email (no calls, faxes, or drop-ins, please) to constance.pola@roomtoread.org with Accounting and Finance Associate in the subject line. Due to the anticipated high volume of applicant response, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identify and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse background.