Finance Systems Transformation Consultant

Finance Systems Transformation Consultant

An international nonprofit seeks an experienced Finance Systems Transformation Consultant for a remote assignment reviewing accounting system, financial reporting, budgeting and accounts payable systems. Lead an independent assessment and…

Our partner is an established international nonprofit organisation working to improve economic opportunities and livelihoods for vulnerable communities. Operating through local partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the organisation is preparing for significant growth and an increasingly complex international funding environment.

They are seeking proposals from an experienced Finance Systems Transformation Consultant, or a small specialist team, to independently assess their global financial management processes and systems, recommend practical improvements and potentially lead a subsequent implementation programme.

The assignment will be delivered fully remotely and structured in two phases. Consultants are invited to submit proposals covering both phases, recognising that the final scope of implementation will depend on the findings and recommendations of the initial review.

Phase 1 – Financial Systems Evaluation and Recommendations (6–8 weeks)

The organisation currently uses an accounting system alongside complementary budgeting tools and locally required accounting and compliance arrangements. It is looking to strengthen financial visibility, reduce manual processes and ensure its systems can support future growth across multiple countries and currencies.

Responsibilities

• Undertake an independent review of global financial management processes, controls, reporting requirements and the effectiveness of existing systems, particularly their accounting system.
• Engage with finance teams, programme and grant managers, and senior stakeholders across headquarters and country offices to understand current challenges, system utilisation and opportunities for improvement.
• Evaluate options for a global accounts payable and payment-approval solution, including grant expenditure allocation, budget visibility, approval controls, integration with accounting systems and local compliance requirements.
• Review existing budgeting and forecasting arrangements, assessing their ability to support multicurrency budgets, personnel and project costs, grant reporting and management decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting, budget-versus-actual analysis, reconciliations, dashboards and workflow automation, while reducing dependence on spreadsheets and manual processes.
• Assess whether the organisation’s requirements are best met by optimising the current accounting system and integrating complementary solutions, or whether an alternative finance system should be considered.
• Present findings, recommended solutions, indicative costs and a prioritised implementation roadmap to senior leadership.

Phase 2 – Systems Implementation and Change Management (approximately 5–6 months)

Subject to approval of the Phase 1 recommendations, the organisation anticipates a further implementation programme. Consultants should outline their proposed approach to two potential scenarios:

Option 1: Retaining and optimising the existing finance system

Improving the current accounting system configuration, reporting and functionality; selecting and integrating appropriate accounts payable and budgeting solutions; streamlining financial processes; and strengthening access to financial information across headquarters and country offices.

Option 2: Implementing an alternative finance system

Leading the selection, planning and implementation of a replacement finance platform, including requirements gathering, vendor evaluation, system configuration, data migration, integration, testing and rollout.

For both scenarios, consultants should explain:

• How they would structure, manage and deliver the implementation programme.
• What additional technical expertise and resources would be required, particularly around IT, systems integration, data migration and configuration.
• How they would manage stakeholders, local compliance requirements and organisational change across multiple countries.
• Their approach to training finance and non-finance colleagues, transferring knowledge and ensuring long-term ownership of the systems.
• The anticipated timeline, key milestones, risks and indicative costs.

Requirements

• Qualified accountant or experienced finance transformation professional, with a strong understanding of international nonprofit financial management.
• Significant experience leading finance systems reviews, ERP implementations and process improvement programmes, ideally within international NGOs or grant-funded organisations.
• Strong understanding of multicurrency accounting, grant management, budgeting, forecasting, financial controls and management reporting.
• Experience evaluating and implementing accounts payable, budgeting and financial reporting solutions.
• Proven project management, stakeholder engagement and change management skills, including the ability to work effectively with finance and non-finance colleagues across international locations.
• Ability to evaluate systems objectively, develop practical recommendations and translate technical requirements into deliverable implementation plans.
• Experience coordinating technical specialists, vendors and IT resources, alongside delivering effective training and knowledge transfer.

Proposal Requirements

Interested consultants should provide:

• A summary of their relevant experience, particularly international nonprofit finance transformation.
• Their proposed methodology, workplan, timeline and deliverables, and a financial proposal for Phase 1.
• An indicative approach and financial proposal for Phase 2, addressing both the retention and replacement scenarios, including anticipated technical/IT resource requirements.
• Any key assumptions, dependencies or risks associated with their proposed approach.
• Details of any relevant software vendor, reseller or implementation partnerships that could affect the independence of their recommendations.

The organisation will initially commission Phase 1, with Phase 2 subject to leadership approval. There is no guarantee that the same consultant or provider will be appointed for both phases.

Location: Fully remote

This is an opportunity for an experienced finance transformation professional to help an international nonprofit build a more efficient, integrated and scalable financial management environment, strengthening both operational effectiveness and financial decision-making as the organisation grows.