About Sonke
Founded in 2006, Sonke is a women’s rights organisation that is committed to feminist principles, using a rights-based and gender-transformative approach to achieve human rights and gender justice. Our vision is a world in which women, children, men and gender non-conforming individuals enjoy equitable, caring, healthy and happy relationships that contribute to the development of gender-just and democratic societies. Sonke strengthens governments, civil society and citizen’s capacity to advance gender justice and women’s rights, prevent gender-based violence, and reduce the spread of HIV and the impact of AIDS, and in this way contributing to social justice and the elimination of poverty.
About the Position
Sonke is looking for a committed, suitably qualified and experienced individual to fill the position of Accountant who will be responsible for assisting in budgeting, establishing and maintaining financial procedures, implementing the internal control systems, maintaining financial records, preparing monthly, quarterly and annual project financial reports and assisting in the preparation of management reports. The Accountant will ensure compliance with Sonke’s accounting policies and procedures and various donor procedures as well as with all regulatory requirements. This is a varied and exciting role and will ensure that the financial resources are put to good and intended use and will provide effective and efficient support.
Key duties and responsibilities
Budgeting and cash flow forecast
Budgeting
- In consultation with the Finance Unit Manager manage monthly cash flow forecasts and fund requests in line with approved activity plans.
- Support the Finance Unit Manager with the preparation of the annual organizational budget.
- Assist budget holders with drafting of budgets.
- Monitor budgets for over and under-expenditure for specific projects and donors.
- Advise budget holders of over and under-expenditure monthly.
Cash flow forecast
- Assist the budget holders in drafting cash-flow forecasts for the upcoming months.
- Ensure that funds are transferred between investment and current accounts monthly as needed.
- Ensure that invoices due to the donor have been processed and submitted.
- Ensure timeous follow-up on outstanding invoices.
- Monitor cash flow.
Accounting and reporting
- Preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual donor reports.
- Day-to-day financial control and accounting.
- Control account reconciliations.
- Review partner financial reports submitted.
- Conduct financial monitoring visits to partner organizations.
- Assist with month end processes.
- Maintain a fixed asset register.
- Process monthly bank reconciliations.
Budgeting
- Assist in program budgets and budget revisions for all grants submitted by the organization in coordination with the applicable programmatic staff.
- Preparation of timely variance reports monthly and maintain consistent interaction with the program staff to monitor the financial progress of grants against the plans.
- Participate in monthly budget holders meeting and guide project managers on project status burn rate.
Statutory submissions
- Prepare VAT submissions to the South African Revenue Services.
Audit
- Assist in preparation for the projects and annual audits under the supervision of the Finance Manager liaise with auditors.
Payments & Journals
- Setting up of payments for approval on online banking system and filling of supporting documentation.
- Prepare all other journals and posting of payment vouchers including deposit of income and cash refunds journals, payroll and general journals and ensure they are correctly and timely captured in the accounting system as stipulated in the financial guidelines.
General
- Lead and undertake proper filling of financial documentation including vouchers, invoices monthly partner financial reports and ensure safe keeping of all financial documents.
- Perform any other duties assigned by the Finance Unit Manager.
Compliance and financial policies and procedures
- Ensure compliance with the Sonke financial policies and procedures by all partners.
- Ensure compliance with donor contracts.
- Maintaining a proper filing system on all awards.
- Ensure adherence to policies and procedures by all partners.
- Ensure sub-award files are complete and accurate, including documents on pre- and post-award assessments, signed sub-award agreements, budget, narrative and financial reports, audit reports and any key communication.
- Provide timely and accurate donor reports to appropriate staff and/or to donors
- Provide reports, when required, on sub-award management processes.
- Ensure procedures are in place to comply with donor and Sonke compliance requirements.
- Participate in regular sub-award meetings.
- Maintain a sub-award schedule detailing all compliance issues.
General
- Attend staff meetings, staff retreats, staff trainings, unit meetings and international meetings as required.
- Maintain relationships with the bank, auditors and donors.
Education, experience and competencies
- Bachelor of Commerce degree.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar position with excellent knowledge of the NGO sector in South Africa.
- Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages.
- Self- starter, experience working with multi-donors.
- Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical colleagues.
- Problem-solving skills, the ability to work under pressure, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Exhibit the highest standards of excellence and integrity, and display always a courteous, professional and cooperative attitude.
- Fluency in English a requirement & valid driver’s license essential.
- Budgeting and financial management skills.
- Proven ability to interpret financial statements and use this information to contribute to strategic decision making.
- Sound decision making and judgment.
- Can manage complexity and think strategically.
- Exceptional ability to write financial reports.
- Relationship management and can interact at all levels.
- Research, writing, application and thought leadership.
- Ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities and follow up regularly.
- Ability to make presentations.
- Ability to work under pressure.
To Apply
- Interested applicants should submit their Curriculum Vitae, and a motivation letter detailing experience and contact details of 3 referees to Sonke’s Human Resource Unit via email to [email protected], closing date 26 August 2024.
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
- Sonke is committed to transformation and encourages previously disadvantaged individuals, individuals living with disabilities and young people to apply. All applications will be considered with the understanding that in terms of Sonke’s employment equity plan, preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups, provided the experience and qualifications criteria are met.
- Please consider your application unsuccessful if you do not hear from us by 30 September 2024.
- Sonke reserves the right not to make an appointment.
