Paul Issifu

• Manage field accounting systems and internal day-to-day financial operations.
• Continually orient staff on Nathan and USAID financial procedures.
• Ensure that all transactions are recorded, assist project management staff in reconciling accounts,
and respond without delays to home office accounting questions or concerns.
• Monitor bank balances in both USD and Cedi and arrival of wire transfers and ensure bank
accounts are up-to-date. Manage and reconcile bank accounts and balances on a monthly basis.
• Prepare monthly budget projections with the Finance and Administrative Director for all local
expenses and send wire requests to the Home Office.
• Verify all vendor and subcontractor invoices and ensure careful management and oversight of
subcontracts, monitor vendor balances. Ensure all supporting documents are received and
correct.
• Prepare monthly payroll, ensure distribution, print payroll receipts. Payment of any severance if
applicable to all local staff and review of unused compensated absences.
• Calculate and withhold the appropriate amounts for SSNIT, PAYE, and withhold taxes from
salaried employees and GRA amounts for contract employees. Ensure these payments make it to
the SSNIT office and GRA office by the due date each month.
• Review outstanding checks and payments in transit, e.g., rent, service and utility payments and
lease modifications.
• Review local payroll tax obligations and VAT accruals.
• Process VAT refund and VRPO requests.

• Process travel and other advances to staff and track outstanding balances, verify and process
expense reports generated by the staff and processed.
• Manage petty cash and ensure that transactions are verified, and balances are reconciled at least
once a week.
• Advise the Finance and Administrative Director and home office Project Coordinator on rate of
expenditures and remaining funds in the local accounts.
• Maintain and organize project accounting filing system.
• Reconcile and close-out project bank accounts.

• Implemented, managed, and administered the MEDA FEATS Project office finance and accounting systems in accordance with the project budget and related policies and procedures.
• Ensured the protection of the organization's assets through internal control and auditing procedures.
• Facilitated any external audits and audits conducted by MEDA Internal Audit Department
• Administered the preparation and distribution of the payroll system.
• Prepared and submitted financial reports within the required deadlines.
• Follow and ensure compliance with MEDA financial policies, procedures, and management systems.
• Monitor the actual expenses against the Annual Operating Budget and report on them to the Country Director.
• Assessed the project cash flow requirements and ensure the necessary coordination with MEDA HQ for the timely transfer of funds.
• Analyzed financial results of MEDA HPTS Project against budget and reported to Country Director and other HPTS staff as required to help understand results and recommended areas for improvement.
• Administered MEDA FEATS Project office banking functions and maintained liaison with bankers.
• Maintained necessary documentation for funds transfer and periodic reconciliation with the bank.
• Supervised the work of the Finance Officer, Admin Assistant, Office Assistant and Drivers
• Performed other project tasks and provide support as needed and directed by the Country Director

• Hired as Finance Officer, responsible for training and monitoring the financial activities of 36 SME partners in Ghana.
• Worked with 36 local SMEs to prepare and submit a quarterly financial report to donor (Global Affairs Canada) specifications.
• Monitor budget implementation of our 36 SMEs and recommend reallocation of funds, when necessary, to management in compliance with the Matching Grant Agreements.
• Monitor budget expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels and recommend corrective actions to the donor (GAC) for approval.
• Prepared cost estimates and analyses data to facilitate formulation of budget proposals for GROW2 and other new projects.
• Prepared quarterly budget expenditure reports on SME partners and other budget lines for management decision making, with variance analysis, dashboards, and explanation.

• Participated in the annual review of the project’s Financial and Procurement Policies and train other team members on these Policies, whiles ensuring that all team members and stakeholders comply with these policies and procedures.
• Participated in the preparation of the annual work plan including budgets and cash forecasts.
• Assisted the Finance Manager to prepare for internal and external audits.
• Assisted in the preparation of financial reports and process requests by programmes staff.
• Ensured payroll preparation and prompt payment of statutory deductions.

• Coordinated and maintained an accurate payment procedure while determining the propriety and accuracy of all expenditures in accordance with USAID policies.
• Reviewed and analysed pending expenditures for appropriate action with minimal errors.
• Processed VAT refund and VRPO requests.
• Ensured smooth and timely flow of all expenditures related to reports and audit documentation.
• Compiled, copied, sorted, and filed records of office activities, business transactions, and other activities.
• Reviewed files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
• Paid training participants using mobile money systems.
• Prepared APs and staff petty cash refunds.
• Performed other duties assigned.

• Maintained clean and organized files by keeping accounts payable records up-to-date.
• Applied proper codes to invoices, files, and receipts to keep records organized and easily searchable.
• Assisted management with annual expense plans to strategically track income or revenue.
• Checked general ledger entries to increase accuracy, prevent significant errors and identify adjustments.
• Received School fees; banking transactions; paid withholding tax and filed tax returns.
• Generated, printed, and analyzed daily and monthly reports.