Finance Officer Job Opportunity at Alight Uganda

• South-West Uganda.
• Mid-West Uganda.
• West Nile Uganda.

Job Summary

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Management and Reporting (60%)

• Execute daily accounting activities and ensure accurate recording of financial transactions.
• Prepare:
  • Monthly bank reconciliations.
  • Cash reconciliations.
  • Balance sheet schedules.
• Support cash flow management by ensuring adequate cash availability.
• Process payments while ensuring complete supporting documentation.
• Maintain accounting records according to:
  • Organizational policies.
  • Accounting standards.
  • Donor requirements.
• Prepare journal entries and support timely month-end closure.
• Strengthen financial procedures and internal controls.
• Prepare:
  • Monthly financial reports.
  • Quarterly financial reports.
  • Annual financial reports.
• Produce budget monitoring reports and expenditure analysis.
• Conduct budget variance analysis and recommend corrective actions.
• Support preparation and consolidation of:
  • Organizational budgets.
  • Project budgets.
• Work with programme managers to monitor budget performance.
• Support financial forecasting and budget revisions.
• Provide financial inputs for proposal development.

2. Financial Systems and Process Improvement (15%)

• Ensure accurate and timely data entry into accounting systems.
• Support improvements in financial reporting processes.
• Maintain audit-ready financial documentation.
• Promote efficient financial workflows.
• Strengthen record management practices.

3. Payroll and Statutory Compliance (10%)

• Manage monthly payroll processing.
• Prepare:
  • Payroll reconciliations.
  • Payroll journal entries.
• Coordinate with Human Resources regarding staff changes.
• Ensure timely payment of statutory obligations including:
  • PAYE.
  • NSSF.
  • Local Service Tax (LST).
  • Withholding Tax (WHT).
  • Other statutory deductions.
• Respond to payroll queries while maintaining confidentiality.

4. Donor Financial Compliance (10%)

• Monitor project expenditures against approved budgets.
• Ensure compliance with donor agreements.
• Prepare donor financial reports for Finance Controller review.
• Maintain donor-compliant financial documentation.
• Support donor audits and financial reviews.
• Provide guidance to programme teams on donor financial requirements.

5. Internal Controls and Audit Support (2%)

• Ensure compliance with financial policies and procedures.
• Support safeguarding of organizational assets.
• Assist internal and external audit processes.
• Follow up implementation of audit recommendations.
• Identify financial risks and suggest mitigation measures.

6. Cross-Functional Support (3%)

• Working with:
  • Programmes.
  • Procurement.
  • Human Resources.
  • Operations teams.
• Providing financial guidance to budget holders.
• Supporting Finance Controller with financial information.
• Performing other finance-related duties assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in:
  • Accounting.
  • Finance.
  • Commerce.
  • Business Administration.
  • Related discipline.

• CPA (Uganda).
• ACCA.
• CA.
• Equivalent accounting qualification.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressive finance experience.
• Experience working in:
  • NGOs.
  • International NGOs.
  • Donor-funded projects.

• Financial reporting.
• Grant management.
• Donor compliance.
• Budget monitoring.
• Accounting operations.

Technical Skills and Competencies

• Accounting principles.
• Financial reporting.
• Budget management.
• Cash flow management.
• Internal controls.
• Audit processes.

• Accounting software.
• Microsoft Excel.
• Financial reporting systems.

• Uganda tax regulations.
• PAYE requirements.
• NSSF compliance.
• Donor financial regulations.
• Grant compliance procedures.

• Strong analytical skills.
• Problem-solving ability.
• High attention to detail.
• Excellent organization skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills.
• Integrity and confidentiality.
• Accountability and professionalism.

Salary Expectations

• Experience level.
• Professional qualifications.
• Organization salary structure.
• Donor-funded project exposure.

Benefits

• Access to a global team of professionals.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Online training courses.
• Flexible leave arrangements.
• Professional growth opportunities.
• Exposure to international humanitarian finance systems.

Career Growth Opportunities

• Senior Finance Officer.
• Finance Manager.
• Finance Controller.
• Grants Finance Specialist.
• Regional Finance Manager.
• Head of Finance.

How to Apply

Interview Preparation Tips

• NGO financial management.
• Donor reporting requirements.
• Budget monitoring and variance analysis.
• Bank reconciliation processes.
• Payroll management.
• Uganda statutory deductions.
• Internal controls.
• Audit preparation.
• Accounting software experience.
• Examples of improving financial processes.

CV Tips for Finance Officer Applicants

• NGO/INGO finance experience.
• Donor-funded project accounting.
• Budget preparation and monitoring.
• Financial reporting experience.
• Payroll processing.
• Tax and statutory compliance.
• Audit support experience.
• Accounting software skills.
• Excel proficiency.
• CPA/ACCA qualifications.