Accounting Manager at Heifer International

Heifer International is an international development organization dedicated to improving food security and income opportunities for rural families while promoting sound stewardship of natural resources. As a private, non-governmental organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Heifer has created lasting change for farming households in over 125 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe for over 70 years.

Heifer International does so much more than put food in the mouths of hungry people. Heifer helps people feed themselves. The goal of every Heifer project is sustainability - project partners achieving self-reliance. And year after year, as partner families Pass on the Gift of knowledge and one or more of their animals' offspring to others in need, they become links in a network of hope, dignity and self-reliance that helps hundreds of others care for themselves.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Accounting Manager 

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Function

• The Accounting Manager Africa plays a significant role in supporting the regional and country offices in strengthening of core global systems by ensuring proper accounting and reporting of resources in the region, maintaining systems of accountability, processing of accounting information, internal and external financial reporting, cash and bank account maintenance and other financial tasks as assigned in liaison with relevant Heifer departments.
• This person contributes to the global mission of scaling up of program impact by preparing financial reports and monitoring budget burn rates. This person works closely with country programs to ensure audit readiness, completion, and follow-up.
• This person will also contribute to growth and diversification of revenue by assisting in budgeting.  
• This position works directly and in consultation with the headquarters, country offices, and regions, and interacts with similar positions in other teams to promote consistency throughout the Africa area program.

Responsibilities & Deliverables
Country Office Financial Support (25%):

• Provide financial support to country offices and regional teams in budgeting, burn rate, reforecast, financial management and strengthening of core global systems to the countries within the Region.
• Ensure audits are tracked and deadlines are met.  Support country office teams in tracking and follow-up of audit findings so they are addressed in a timely manner.
• Manage and own budget burn rate report for the region and provide insights into Regional and country leadership.
• Work with country finance and leadership teams to establish regular review and understanding of burn rate and spending.
• Coordinate country office support optimizing core global systems and financial management. 
• Support country offices to ensure audit readiness and track audit completion and tasks. 
• Track audit findings and work with country offices to ensure that they are addressed in a timely manner. 

Financial Management (20%):

• Continuously monitor and assess adequacy of country systems and procedures for transparent accounting, financial management and reporting. 
• Perform analytical review of general ledger accounts and reconciling balance sheet accounts including staff advance reconciliations on monthly basis. 
• Support country offices to maintain a proper accounting system, and financial management processes. 
• Support country offices to develop improvement plans for financial management and strengthening of core global systems. 

Financial Capacity (25%):

• Provide financial management capacity building to the Regional and Country Office teams to ensure compliance with Heifer International policies, donor requirements and relevant government authorities. 
• Design standardized toolkits for improving financial management across all country offices.
• Coordinate training of country programs in implementing core global systems in liaison with the Network services (Global) node.
• Coordinate implementation and institutionalization of Heifer’s systems and tools, including documenting and sharing of best practices for cross-area replication and support.
• Coordinate the roll-out and implementation of standardized tools across country offices.

Report Preparation and Presentation (10%):

• Ensure proper and accurate accounting and reporting of all funds in accordance with the grant/donor requirements, including all expenses that are allowable and charged correctly. 
• Partner with Enterprise Accounting in the periodic close, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements for global consolidation.
• Ensure preparation of the audit schedules, materials and other documentation for annual or internal audits, reviews and evaluations. 
• Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports and statements as per management requirement.
• Collect and facilitate review of special reports for internal control when required.
• Ensure the maintenance of an accurate and up to date fixed asset register. 

Financial Control and Risk management. (10%):

• Support Country office finance teams to develop finance and operational risk management plans as semi-autonomous nodes.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of internal controls and financial policies and procedures.
• Ensure that all statutory requirements of the organization are met.
• Ensure that the organization makes all required government remittances and remits applicable taxes as and when required.
• Organize donor records, and ensure internal controls are maintained.

Supervision and Monitoring (10%):

• Supports country program finance staff and provides guidance to their work and encourages their professional growth. 
• Supports finance staff through coaching and mentoring. 
• Mentor country finance staff as needed.

 Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Finance or Accounting or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of related experience and at least 3 – 5 years in a managerial role.
• CPA, ACCA or CIMA qualification with NGO experience and significant experience with managing grants and donor financial reporting.

 Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in financial management in senior position level. 
• Experience in large grant management and reporting through bilateral and multilateral donors, e.g.:  United States Agency for International Development, European Union, Department for International Development (United Kingdom), Canadian International Development Agency. 

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Rich knowledge of accounting principles with strong understanding of GAAP and IFRS.
• Ability to research, interpret and ensure compliance with local accounting standards and reporting requirements.
• Experience in planning and generating ideas for improvement of the accounting function.
• Strong budget development, management and monitoring capacity.
• Proficient in English, both oral and written.
• Computer proficient in word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail software,and knowledge of accounting software.
• Excellent organizational skills including strong attention to details.
• Excellent leadership qualities and communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work cooperatively, tactfully, and diplomatically with a culturally diverse group of people.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Motivated to work with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate a high degree of integrity.
• Ability and willingness to work with a flexible schedule.
• Ability and willingness to travel both locally and internationally.
• Sensitivity in working with multiple cultures and beliefs, and to gender equity.

Key Behavioral Competencies:

• Accountability 
• Professional Excellence 
• Humility 
• Customer Orientation 
• Empathy 
• Innovation.

Application Closing Date
23rd January, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online