TERMS OF REFERENCE: ACCOUNTANT CONSULTANT
BACKGROUND
The ASEAN
Foundation (AF) was established in December 1997 by ASEAN Foreign
Ministers in fulfillment of the decision of the ASEAN Leaders. It is a
non-profit ASEAN body under the ASEAN Charter and is mandated to promote
greater awareness of ASEAN and greater interaction among the peoples of ASEAN,
as well as their wider participation in ASEAN activities.
JUSTIFICATION
Good financial
management practice helps an organization to attain effective and efficient use
of resources and be more accountable to donors and other stakeholders. This is to build credibility for
the organization and to inspire confidence that the organization is worthy to
receive the contribution and investment, made.
GENERAL
OBJECTIVE
The role of the accountant consultant is to assess AF’s financial systems,
controls and procedures; and implement any recommendations. This includes
assessing AF’s accounting software, Quickbooks
for Nonprofits, and training/mentoring the staff on making the most out of
the software, in particular generating reports for management, the Board of
Trustees and donors. The consultant is expected to review the current Financial
Rules and Procedures and come up with recommendations on revising them based on
the assessment of AF’s financial systems and controls. Furthermore, the consultant is expected to
support the creation of organizational budgets, cash flow forecasts as well as
budget vs actual reporting.
TASKS
OF THE CONSULTANT
- To assess existing internal controls and make recommendations for improvement and assist in revision based on the assessment of AF’s Financial Rules and Procedures.
- To advise and coach finance staff on how to maximize the use of AF’s accounting software, Quickbook for Nonprofits to generate the required budgeting, reporting and monitoring reports for the management, the Board of Trustees and donors.
- To develop/modify a training curriculum to use QuickBooks for Nonprofits in order for all finance staff members to be competent in its usage.
- To coach the finance staff using the training curriculum.
- To advise on a payroll software that is compatible with Quickbook for NonProfits and if relevant, coach on its usage.
- To review and give feedback on the financial planning process of the organization i.e. AF’s budget planning and costing.
- To analyze gaps between organization’s financial performance and objectives and provide recommendations with regards to risk management to include IT policy
EXPECTED
RESULTS / DELIVERABLES
1) Updated AF’s Financial Rules and Procedures
2) Templates for budgeting, reporting and monitoring reports
3) Work flow and templates for budget planning costing
4) Payroll software that is compatible with QuickBooks for Nonprofit
5) Analysis of gaps and recommendations for risk management
6) Training curriculum to use QuickBooks
for Nonprofit
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Increasing the
effectiveness and efficiency of operating procedures and enhancing reliability
of financial reporting
TIME
FRAME
The duration of the consultancy is 30 days starting from August to October
2014.
REMUNERATION
A
lump sum quotation is required including fees and other relevant expenses. Payment will be linked to deliverables.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
- Bachelor of Accounting and Finance from a reputable institution or professional accounting qualification
- Minimum five (5) years of progressive work experience in the accounting and finance industry
- Minimum two (2) years of work experience in the not-for-profit sector and familiarity with the non-profit sector
- Good experience in budgeting and financial reporting
- Advanced skills in MS-EXCEL
- Excellent knowledge of Quickbooks for Nonprofit Edition
- Relevant experience in assessing and improving accounting and financial system
- Experience in imparting training to staff on financial management system using Quickbooks for Nonprofits
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English
- Ability to effectively use accounting knowledge to collaborate with varying levels of employees and senior management
APPLICATION
PROCESS
All interested applicants to send
application, stating the position with the following documents to recruitment@aseanfoundation.org – a)
application letter and time table on how the assignment will be carried out and
completed with clear deliverables b) curriculum vitae and c) financial proposal
specifying a total lump sum amount highlighting deliverables.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION
30 June 2014
Please visit our website at: HERE
