First Step Action for Children Initiative (FIRST) is a child focused organization registered with the Cooperate Affairs Commission with the headquarters in Makurdi, Benue state Nigeria. The organization has functional offices in Adamawa, Benue and Nasarawa states in Nigeria. The offices are being coordinated by the functional secretariat in Makurdi Benue state headed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the program management team.

FIRST Step Action for Children Initiative (FSACI) was founded in 1998 as a community based organization called First Step Foundation Association (FSFA). The organization worked on several projects within the state expanding its scope across many Local Government Areas, and in February 2002 it became registered with the state Ministry of Women Affairs as an NGO. The association was established with a keen desire to assist rural families to improve the quality of lives of their children. Realizing that, young children have very close ties with their mothers in Nigeria, it became expedient to include women on the programs of the association. From the successes recorded, the Board of the organization was encouraged to apply for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja. On December 19, 2008 the association was formerly registered by the Commission and had its name changed to the present First Step Action for Children Initiative.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Finance Officer

Location: Yola, Adamawa
Employment Type: Full-time

Purpose of Assignment

• The Finance officer is to provide very strong accounting and finance knowledge, analytical skills, attention to detail, knowledge of finance systems, accounting software, ability to work effectively under time pressure, very strong business partnering skills with ability to influence senior staff.
• The successful candidate will be a team player, proactive with the ability to offer structured guidance on a both project and strategic level, and able to ensure that the right financial priorities are set for the FSACI within a broader project/program

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Daily transaction inputting into FSACI’s QuickBooks accounting system.
• Prepare bank reconciliation report, income and expenditure report on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• Monitor budgets to ensure that spending occurs as planned, review budget amount against actual of expenditures
• Prepare variance analysis reports on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• Ensure that expenses are properly coded and allocated to the relevant cost projects
• Review and process payment requests/retirements. Periodic review of staff accounts and proper allocation of retired expenses against the cash advance.
• Ensure detailed and accurate records of all financial transactions are maintained physically and electronically in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
• Supports internal and external auditing processes by providing all supporting documentation in an orderly and timely manner.
• Coordinate and makes timely payments for all project activities.
• Verify the validity of invoices, ensure proper level of approvals and make timely cash payment.
• Make cash payments for various expenses and make the relevant entries in the cash book as per FSACI financial procedures.
• Ensure that monthly cash counts are documented and witnessed by a third-party
• Prepare and update the asset register
• Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports/statements for the project in line with standard accounting principles-including budget tracking and preparation of budget variance analysis
• Ensure the remittance of all statutory deductions to appropriate authorities
• Timely payments to volunteers, casual/contract staff and providers of products and services
• May be required to sit on procurement committees and provide financial oversight in the procurement process
• Assumes full responsibility for ensuring cash books are up to date at the end of each working day.
• Ensures that all payment request forms, invoices, procurement documents, receipts and any other payment documents are critically checked for accuracy and correctness and meet the organization’s minimum standard.
• Ensure audits are completed and submitted on time to the Executive Director/Head of Programs
• Determine and enforce systems and process to ensure compliance with donor requirements
• Oversee and maintain appropriate checks and balances across financial processes
• Maintain organizational risk register; ensure organization has appropriate insurance coverage, mitigation measures are put in place and implemented taking the lead on financial risk specifically.
• Lead on financial and accounting information, analysis, and recommendations to strategic thinking and direction;
• Initiate corrective actions to Executive Director/Head of Programs;
• Develop plans to minimize exposure to currency gains and losses
• Minimize the impact of variances.
• Maintain cordial relationships with the staff members and treat visitors, guests, and program beneficiaries with courtesy.
• Ensure regular internal controls (cash counts, spot checks, receipt checks) regarding financial processes are done to reduce the opportunities for fraud or abuse of funds, goods, and materials;
• Conduct him/her both professionally and personally in such a manner that it will bring credit to FSACI and not jeopardize its relationship with donor, partners, vendors and stakeholders.
• Ensure correct coding of Project Instance, budget line, and ledger code in line with approved budget and FSACI Finance Manual and Procedure.

Requirements

• Candidates should possess Bachelor’s Degrees with 2+ years relevant work experience.

Application Closing Date
5th March, 2024.