POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position

:

Finance Associate

Location (and travel)

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Islamabad, Pakistan (with travel as required)

Reports to

:

Manager Finance

Reportees / Supervision

:

N/A

Working days/hours

:

This is a full-time position, requiring 40 working hours per week.

Employment terms

:

This is a fixed-term employment position for the period October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. The gross monthly salary range is PKR 170,000 – 200,000. The final salary offer will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, relevant experience, demonstrated competencies, and internal salary equity, in accordance with TAF’s applicable compensation framework. The position will also be eligible for benefits in accordance with TAF’s HR policies.

The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit international development organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia. For over 70 years in Pakistan, we have been a trusted partner in strengthening governance, empowering women, promoting inclusive economic growth, and addressing climate change. Our approach is rooted in local partnership—we work with and through a deep network of local communities, governments, civil society, and the private sector to design and implement solutions that are tailored to Pakistan's unique and diverse contexts. From the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan to the urban centers of Karachi, our programs are designed to create a durable, systemic impact.

Role Summary

The Finance Associate will support accurate, timely, and compliant financial administration for The Asia Foundation’s Pakistan office. The position will maintain accounting records, review and prepare payment documentation, support procurement and contract compliance, apply relevant tax requirements, prepare reconciliations, and maintain complete financial records for audit readiness. The role will work under the supervision of the Manager Finance and coordinate with Operations, program staff, vendors, banks, consultants, tax advisers, and auditors as required.

I- Main duties and responsibilities

A. Accounting and Financial Records

• Record transactions in QuickBooks using correct account, project, donor, and other required coding, with complete supporting documentation and required authorization.

• Maintain organized digital and physical financial filing systems.

B. Payment Documentation Review and Processing Support

• Review and manage payment requests prepared by administrative and finance staff to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with TAF policies and approval procedures.

• Verify supporting documentation, approvals, coding, and audit trail prior to payment processing.

• Prepare payment vouchers and journal vouchers with complete supporting documentation, as required.

• Prepare bank payment letters and payment packages for bank transfers and cheques.

• Cross-check contract deliverables or milestones, where applicable, before payment is processed to support proper authorization and documentation.

C. Procurement, Contracts and Compliance

• Review procurement files from a finance and compliance perspective, including quotations, comparative statements, budget availability, taxes, approvals, vendor-selection justification, and supporting records.

• Review financial terms of contracts and agreements, including payment terms, deliverables, milestones, invoicing requirements, taxes, and documentation requirements, and escalate exceptions or risks.

D. Tax Compliance

• Review invoices and payments for applicable withholding income tax, sales tax, and other statutory deductions based on prevailing requirements and approved TAF or tax-adviser guidance.

• Verify calculations, maintain tax schedules and supporting records, and support timely deductions, deposits, reconciliations, and reporting; escalate complex or unclear tax matters.

E. Reconciliations, Close and Audit Support

• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and supporting schedules and support timely resolution and month-end and year-end close activities.

• Support internal, external, donor, and partner audits by maintaining audit-ready files, request and query trackers, supporting schedules, and timely follow-up on outstanding documentation.

F. Documentation Quality and Process Improvement

• Review payment justifications, schedules, and supporting notes for clarity and completeness; support improvements to finance templates, checklists, trackers, filing structures, and workflows.

G. Reporting, Coordination and Performance Expectations

• Ensure accurate and timely QuickBooks recording with complete supporting documentation and coding.

• Ensure complete and compliant payment and voucher files are submitted within required timelines.

• Maintain monthly bank reconciliations, tax schedules, audit records, and key finance trackers accurately and on time.

• Review procurement and contract documentation from a finance and compliance perspective and promptly escalate significant gaps.

• Coordinate with the Director Operations and relevant program and operations staff, and liaise with vendors, banks, consultants, tax advisers, and auditors as required for financial documentation, compliance, and operational purposes.

II. Qualifications

Education

:

• Part-qualified CA, ACCA, CMA, or equivalent professional accounting qualification.

• Candidates who have completed or substantially completed articleship or training with a recognized chartered accountancy firm will be preferred.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline from a recognized institution.

Work experience

:

• Minimum 2 to 4 years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, audit, or financial compliance, preferably with an INGO/NGO, development organization, or reputable professional services firm.

• Practical experience in accounting systems, payment and voucher documentation, bank reconciliations, audit support, and financial record management; donor-funded project experience is an advantage.

• Working knowledge of Pakistani withholding income tax, sales tax, and related payment documentation requirements.

Skills

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• Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks or a comparable accounting system and good command of Microsoft Excel; proficiency in Word, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint/OneDrive, and PDF or document-management tools.

• Sound understanding of payment processing, audit trails, reconciliations, documentation standards, and basic internal-control principles.

• High integrity, confidentiality, attention to detail, reliability, sound judgment, and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Collaborative working style, strong follow-up, and commitment to compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Language

Fluency in English and Urdu is required; regional language skills are an advantage.