Staff Officer (Treasury & Accounting Operations)

The Staff Officer manages daily finance and accounting operations at HQ SACT, acting as primary deputy to the Chief Accountant. The role involves developing financial management policy, overseeing accounting functions, managing NSIP funds, coordinating financial reporting, and liaising with internal and external auditors to ensure propriety and accuracy of financial transactions.

Responsibilities

• Manages daily operations related to HQ SACT finance and accounting team.
• Acts as primary deputy to the ACT Section Head (Treasury and Accounting)/ACT Chief Accountant.
• Contributes to developing ACT-wide financial management policy, focusing on reimbursable activities, infrastructure transactions and travel.
• Deputizes for the ACT Chief Accountant in the NATO Accounting Working Group to represent ACT accounting issues.
• Supports production of the ACT Consolidated Financial Statements through technical accounting work.
• Provides strategic level functional guidance to subordinate Command Heads of Accounting & Treasury and their staff.
• Advises budget holders, fund managers and programme holders on accounting records and compliance with NATO and ACT guidance.
• Manages NSIP funds ensuring compliance with Host Nation contract and NSIP procedures.
• Supervises in-year control of commitments and payments influencing strategic financial reports.
• Coordinates End of Year close out process with Budget and Purchasing & Contracting sections.
• Oversees preparation of consolidated commitment reports for all funding sources.
• Supervises timely and accurate production of HQ SACT inputs to ACT consolidated financial statements.
• Manages production of the final ACT Budget Execution Report covering all ACT budgets.
• Coordinates with other ACT divisions impacting accounting functions.
• Supervises key users of the financial system and manages related financial reporting.
• Coordinates strategic level finance issues with NATO Agencies.
• Controls execution of international and infrastructure budgets within approved credits.
• Liaises with internal and external auditors for strategic financial and performance audits.
• Manages customer service levels to HQ SACT staff and supported Agencies.
• Legally accountable for propriety of financial transactions and authorizes payments on behalf of HQ.
• Holds delegated authority to commit organization to funding obligations and approve commitments up to EFL level C.
• Authorized to make decisions within assigned functional area and manage Finance and Accounting Staff workload priorities.

Requirements

• University Degree in accounting, finance, or closely related discipline or advanced vocational training in the accounting or finance discipline, leading to a professional qualification or professional accreditation (e.g. CPA, ACMA, CGMA, CIPFA, ACCA, MSc/ MA. Accounting etc.).
• If combined with a full university degree, the experience requirement is 6 years specific related experience in technical accounting functions.
• If combined with vocational training, the requirement is for 10 years post vocational training experience in technical accounting functions.
• At least 6 years’ experience in all activities involved in control of accounts and financial activities; reconciliation of accounts; preparation of payroll and examination of vouchers; records and controls commitments; obligation and expenditure of funds; Formal training in accounting and financial management is essential.
• A minimum of 5 years strong experience of directly managing a team of finance professionals.
• Proven knowledge and a minimum of 3 years hands-on experience of working with computerized financial systems.
• At least 3 years’ experience with International Accounting Standards (IAS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or public accounting experience.
• Thorough understanding of computerized accounting environments.
• Proven experience in the development of financial strategy in an international or multi-national organization.
• Highly developed analytical skills coupled with ability to apply flexibility to problem solving.
• English - SLP 3333 - (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)
• Experience as an accountant or senior finance officer in NATO, a major international or multi-national organization is desirable.
• Strong professional background with at least 8 years acquired in positions related to the duties outlined in the job description is desirable.
• Experience of more than 10 years in a financially related field, with a minimum of 7 years in a management position is desirable.
• Experience in the use of ORACLE or closely related software is desirable.
• Effective tact and diplomatic skills for dealing effectively and courteously with personnel of many different cultural backgrounds is desirable.

Skills

• Technical Accounting
• Financial Reconciliation
• Payroll Preparation
• Voucher Examination
• Obligation and Expenditure Control
• Accounting Records Management
• Team Management
• Computer-based Financial Systems
• International Accounting Standards
• International Public Sector Accounting Standards
• Financial Strategy Development
• Analytical Skills
• Problem Solving
• Accounting Software
• Oracle
• Financial Reporting
• Audit Coordination
• Financial Management Policy
• Commitment Controls

Languages

English