The Finance Officer is responsible for the effective management of financial resources, accounting systems, budget monitoring, payroll administration, financial reporting, grant financial management, and compliance with MESSO policies, donor regulations, and Afghanistan legal requirements.
The position plays a key role in ensuring financial transparency, accountability, internal control, and audit readiness across all organizational and project activities.
Job Summary:
The Finance Officer is responsible for supporting the overall financial management of the organization by ensuring accurate accounting, effective budget control, and compliance with internal policies and donor requirements. The role includes managing financial transactions, maintaining proper documentation, and supporting payroll, procurement payments, and grant management processes.
The Finance Officer also plays a key role in preparing timely financial reports, monitoring budgets against expenditures, and ensuring all financial activities are conducted in line with established procedures and internal controls. Additionally, the position supports audit processes, ensures proper reconciliation of accounts, and contributes to transparent and accountable financial operations across the organization.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
· Implement and comply with MESSO Finance Policies, Procedures, and Internal Control Systems.
· Ensure all financial transactions are properly authorized, recorded, and documented.
· Maintain accurate accounting records in accordance with the approved Chart of Accounts.
· Ensure compliance with donor regulations, organizational policies, and national financial laws.
· Monitor financial activities and identify compliance risks and mitigation measures.
· Maintain secure and organized financial filing systems.
· Support preparation of annual organizational budgets and project budgets.
· Monitor budget utilization and expenditure trends.
· Prepare monthly Budget versus Actual (BvA) reports.
· Support budget revisions, forecasts, and realignments when required.
· Provide budget analysis and recommendations to management.
· Prepare and process Cash Payment Vouchers (CPVs), Bank Payment Vouchers (BPVs), and Journal Vouchers (JVs).
· Record financial transactions accurately and timely.
· Manage petty cash and conduct regular reconciliations.
· Process cash advances, liquidations, and fund transfers.
· Prepare monthly bank reconciliation statements.
· Ensure proper supporting documentation for all transactions.
· Prepare and process monthly payroll for staff, consultants, contractors, and other eligible personnel.
· Coordinate salary transfers through banking systems.
· Process salary advances, overtime payments, allowances, and deductions.
· Ensure compliance with applicable tax regulations and statutory deductions.
· Maintain payroll records and supporting documentation.
· Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
· Assist in preparation of donor financial reports.
· Support development of organizational financial statements.
· Ensure timely submission of financial reports to management and donors.
· Provide financial analysis to support decision-making.
· Support internal, external, donor, and government audits.
· Prepare financial documentation and audit schedules.
· Maintain audit files and supporting records.
· Follow up on audit findings and implementation of recommendations.
· Strengthen internal control mechanisms to minimize financial risks.
· Review procurement documentation before payment processing.
· Verify invoices, quotations, contracts, and supporting documents.
· Process vendor, supplier, and service provider payments.
· Maintain procurement payment tracking records.
· Coordinate closely with procurement and operations teams.
· Calculate and process applicable taxes in accordance with Afghan tax regulations.
· Coordinate with tax authorities regarding tax declarations and compliance matters.
· Support communication with banks, government institutions, and donor agencies on financial matters.
· Ensure timely submission of tax-related documentation and reports.
· Monitor grant expenditures and fund utilization.
· Ensure grant spending complies with donor regulations and approved budgets.
· Maintain complete grant financial documentation.
· Support financial monitoring of sub-grants and partnerships.
· Assist in preparation of donor financial reports and grant reconciliations.
· Participate in organizational planning and budgeting processes.
· Support development and improvement of finance systems and procedures.
· Assist management in financial decision-making and resource planning.
Perform any other finance-related duties assigned by the Director General.
