Accountant

About the Hiring Group

RTI’s Center for International Development implements large-scale, multidisciplinary projects across health, energy, agriculture, water, and education by leveraging RTI’s deep cross-Institutional knowledge, proven solutions, and contextual expertise to increase global impact by improving lives, driving economic growth, and enhancing stability in fragile and developing geographies.

What You’ll Do

RTI is seeking an Accountant for a 5-year Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Ethiopia. This Food for Progress program will use a market driven, U.S.-led value chain approach to transform Ethiopia’s sunflower sector and benefit U.S. businessesby addressing key productivity, market linkage, financing, and policy constraints identified by public and private actors.

The Accountant will be responsible for ensuring appropriate financial management systems and procedures (payroll, cash management, vendor payments, budgeting, and other related items) are in place to properly disburse, account, budget and report project funds which are cost effective, timely and have proper internal controls.

This position will be based in Addis Abba, Ethiopia and will report to the Finance and Administration Manager.

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Provide functional support for the activity’s finance and accounting functions, ensuring compliance with RTI policies, project agreements, and donor regulations.
• Track, record, and review project expenses and other financial transactions, prepare monthly expense reports, and flag potential risks or discrepancies to the Finance and Administration Manager.
• Coordinate and consolidate financial projections, including monthly, quarterly, and annual expenditures, biweekly cash requirements, and pipeline estimates, to support effective project planning and cash management.
• Manage cash operations, including maintaining RTI bank accounts, reconciling cash accounts, overseeing petty cash, and submitting monthly bank reconciliations.
• Issue payments in a timely manner and enter transactions into QuickBooks daily, ensuring accurate recordkeeping.
• Manage advances, payable aging, and follow-up with requestors to ensure timely processing.
• Support tax and regulatory compliance, including preparing tax withholding vouchers, reconciling with ledgers, submitting VAT refund requests, and maintaining related records.
• Support preparation of financial statements and cost accounting reports for RTI, USDA, and local authorities.
• Maintain organized accounting files and perform audits, spot checks, and process reviews to enhance reporting quality and mitigate financial risks.
• Prepare monthly staff payroll.
• Perform other finance-related tasks as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years of experience, Master’s degree and 3 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional Accounting training or a Chartered Accountant/Certified Public Accountant certification required.
• At least two years of experience working in an accountant function for a US government funded project preferred.
• Experience working with financial and banking institutions in Ethiopia.
• Strong understanding and knowledge of tax laws in Ethiopia.
• Proven capacity to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and set priorities.
• High level of personal and professional integrity, motivation to perform at one’s best.
• Proficiency in computer technology and Quick Books accounting software.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, team player, ability to maintain confidentiality and compliance.