Field Accountant (URGENT)

USAID Vietnam Trade Facilitation Program

SCOPE OF WORK

Position: Field Accountant

Period of Performance: Long-term (beginning Sept. 2019)

Place of Performance: Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Project Background:

The Trade Facilitation Program (TFP) aims to support Vietnam to adopt and implement a risk management approach to customs, which will facilitate the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement of which both Vietnam and the United States (U.S.) are members. The TFP will work with The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to ensure simplification, harmonization, professionalization, and adoption and implementation of risk management customs approaches at the national and provincial levels to expedite cross-border trade and to enable Vietnam to implement WTO TFA commitments. The TFP will work with the GDVC, private sector and other Government of Vietnam (GVN) agencies to simplify policies and across GVN units, foster stronger linkages between national and provincial levels, and improve coordination and implementation at the provincial level.

Overview:

As a Field Accountant, the candidate will report to the Finance & Operations Director and will be responsible for providing accounting systems and internal day-to-day financial operations support to the Finance & Operations Director, Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party.

Responsibilities and Tasks

The Field Accountant will be responsible for the following:

Establishing and maintaining field office accounting systems, including the setup of financial software (QuickBooks) and an appropriate record keeping system;
Ensuring that all transactions are recorded in QuickBooks and understand the general ledger;
Assisting home office field accounting and project management staff in reconciling accounts, and quickly respond to home office accounting questions or concerns;
Ensuring bank accounts are up-to-date, and monitoring bank balances in USD and VND and the arrival of wire transfers;
Managing and reconciling bank accounts and balances on a monthly basis;
Preparing monthly budget projections for all local expenses and sending wire requests to the home office;
Reviewing all local expenses to ensure compliance with USAID and Nathan policies and procedures, and Vietnam’s tax and financial regulations;
Verifying all vendor and subcontractor invoices and ensuring that subcontracts are in compliance with USAID regulations and ensure careful management and oversight of subcontracts;
Ensure all supporting documents are received and correct, project inventory is done twice a year to make sure that the value of all items booked under inventory accounts matches with the total value indicated in the inventory report, monitor vendor balances, and issue and send checks signed by the COP and/or the Finance & Operations Director to appropriate beneficiaries;
Prepare monthly payroll, ensure distribution, print payroll receipts, prepare and take payments for the tax and provident fund;
Process travel advances to local staff and track outstanding balances, and verify and process expense reports generated by the staff;
Ensure that the petty cash payment and wire transfer account are maintained and that transactions are verified, and balances are reconciled at least once a week;
Ensure all the VAT, PIT and other reports are sent and paid on time to relating authorities and update with changes of HR, salary and PIT. Work with Tax Dept. to get VAT refund.
Advise the Chief of Party and F&O Director on rate of expenditures and remaining funds;
Maintain and organize project accounting filing system;
Other tasks are directed by the Chief of Party and F&O Director.

Qualifications:

The Accountant should have the following qualifications:

A university degree;
At least 5 years of professional accounting experience;
Experience working on a donor-funded project;
Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations;
Strong problem solving skills;
Strong written and verbal English skills;
Strong attention to detail;
Demonstrated experience in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc).
Outstanding interpersonal skills.
Fluent English in speaking and writing;
Excellent communication and negotiation skills;
Demonstrated ability to adapt and be flexible;
Possess good time management, analytical, interpersonal and organizational skills and work strategically and effectively in a team;
Able to handle confidential information appropriately;
Discretion, trustworthiness, team working, independent, deadline-oriented and proactive.