Job Description

Purpose of the Department:

The purpose of ARK's Finance department is to manage the financial operations and activities of the organisation, ensuring compliance with financial policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. The Finance department is essential in maintaining ARK's financial sustainability, accountability, and transparency, thereby enabling the organisation to fulfil its mission and deliver impactful programs and projects.

Purpose of the Role:

The purpose of the Finance assistant role is to support the Finance officer by making data entry, expense tracking, and maintaining accounting records. This role ensures the timely processing of accounts payable and receivable, cash, and bank transactions. By doing so, the finance assistant helps uphold operational efficiency, facilitates accurate financial reporting, and supports the overall financial management and successful implementation of projects, particularly for the YCRA & BPY project in Yemen.

Key Accountabilities and Deliverables 

• Works closely with the Finance Officer to ensure smooth operation of all finance matters.
• Verify and authenticate source documents such as invoices and receipts in accordance with approval mechanisms and financial procedures.
• Record assigned financial transactions in regional accounting software (Acumatica/Microsoft Dynamics), including AP, AR, GL, cash, and bank transactions.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records and ensure the accounts are reconciled.
• Provide guidance to new finance staff members on finance forms.
• Perform regular cash, bank, and AP reconciliations under supervision of finance officer.
• Addressing pending accounting and finance issues, including accruals, prepayments, deposits, insurances, and depreciations.

Core Competencies/Behaviours and Levels Refer to Competency Framework for guidance

• Planning and Organising – Level 1
• Adaptability – Level 1
• Attention to Detail – Level 1
• Communication – Level 1
• Teamwork – Level 1
• Technical Expertise – Level 1
• Ethics/Confidentiality – Level 2
• Initiative and Proactivity – Level 1
• Results Orientation – Level 1
• Critical thinking – Level 1

Key Relationships (external to the team): 

Which positions will this role work with on a regular basis? Please do not write names, only titles

INTERNAL: Senior Finance Officer
EXTERNAL: N/A

EDUCATIONAL/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Consider whether a degree is absolutely necessary here or can be considered ‘desirable’. A 2018 report by the UK Government found that “Students from disadvantaged backgrounds, low-income households, care-leavers, mature students, disabled students and students from some ethnic minority groups have a much lower participation in higher education than students from other groups”. Research shows that young people from the UK’s most disadvantaged postcode districts are nearly four times less likely to go to university than those in the most advantaged areas. By prioritising graduates over everyone else, employers are at risk of inheriting these inclusion and diversity challenges from the higher education sector.

Essential: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance
• Fluent in written and spoken English.   

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE & EXPERIENCE

Essential: 

• 2 years’ experience in finance/accounting positions.
• Proficient in IT, with expertise in Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook. 
• Proven expertise in using accounting software.
• Knowledgeable in IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) Accounting Standards.

Desirable:  

• Experience overseeing accounting operations in a multi-currency environment.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Dynamics Business Central accounting software.
• Experience in managing local and international funds. 
• Knowledge of financial rules and regulations for international donors such as HMG, USAID, Government of Canada.

Any Other Relevant Information – please add in any information regarding activities related to this role that potentially could be ‘risky’:  N/A

This role profile sets out the current duties of the post that may vary from time to time without changing the character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed. However, all role profiles are regularly reviewed and updated accordingly in line with organisational needs.