|
2
|
Chief accountant
|
1
|
Masters in accounting with experience of 5 years in similar work
|
Main Purpose of the Position
The Chief Accountant is responsible for overseeing the organization’s accounting and financial operations, supervising accounting staff and recovery officers, maintaining accurate financial records, preparing financial reports, strengthening internal financial controls, and ensuring compliance with applicable financial policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Accounting and Financial Management
- Oversee the day-to-day accounting and financial operations of the organization.
- Ensure that all financial transactions are accurately recorded, properly authorized, and adequately supported by relevant documentation.
- Supervise the preparation and maintenance of accounting records, ledgers, journals, invoices, receipts, payment vouchers, and other financial documents.
- Ensure that financial transactions are recorded in the appropriate accounting systems and accounts.
- Review and approve accounting entries and financial documents within the delegated authority.
- Ensure timely reconciliation of bank accounts, cash accounts, receivables, payables, and other balance sheet accounts.
- Monitor the organization’s cash flow and financial position.
2. Supervision of Accounting and Recovery Staff
- Supervise, coordinate, and provide guidance to Accountants, Recovery Officers, Cashiers, and other finance staff.
- Allocate duties and responsibilities among finance team members according to their roles and competencies.
- Monitor staff performance, productivity, accuracy, and compliance with financial procedures.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and professional guidance to finance staff.
- Review staff work and ensure that financial tasks are completed accurately and within required deadlines.
- Identify training needs and recommend appropriate professional development for finance staff.
3. Financial Reporting
- Prepare and/or oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial reports.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management.
- Ensure the preparation of financial statements, including the Statement of Financial Position, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and other relevant financial reports.
- Analyze financial results and provide management with clear explanations of significant variances and financial trends.
- Provide reliable financial information to support management decision-making.
- Ensure that financial reports are properly supported by accurate accounting records and documentation.
4. Financial Records and Documentation
- Ensure proper maintenance, organization, and secure storage of all financial records and supporting documents.
- Maintain accurate records of income, expenditure, receivables, payables, assets, liabilities, and other financial transactions.
- Ensure that financial records are complete, up to date, easily retrievable, and properly safeguarded.
- Ensure confidentiality and appropriate access to sensitive financial information.
- Establish and maintain proper filing systems for financial documents.
5. Revenue and Recovery Management
- Supervise Recovery Officers and monitor the collection of outstanding debts and receivables.
- Monitor accounts receivable and ensure timely follow-up of outstanding balances.
- Review receivables aging reports and recommend appropriate recovery actions.
- Ensure that all collected revenue is properly receipted, recorded, reconciled, and banked.
- Investigate significant outstanding balances and recommend appropriate solutions to management.
- Develop and implement effective measures to improve revenue collection and reduce overdue accounts.
- Ensure that revenue collection procedures comply with the organization’s financial policies.
6. Budgeting and Financial Planning
- Participate in the preparation of the organization’s annual budget.
- Monitor budget implementation and expenditure against approved budgets.
- Prepare budget variance reports and provide explanations for significant variances.
- Advise management on financial implications of planned activities and expenditures.
- Support departments in preparing realistic budgets and monitoring their financial performance.
- Recommend cost-control measures and opportunities for improving financial efficiency.
7. Internal Controls and Financial Compliance
- Establish, strengthen, and monitor effective internal financial controls.
- Ensure proper segregation of duties within the finance department.
- Ensure that payments and expenditures are properly authorized and supported by adequate documentation.
- Monitor compliance with the organization’s financial policies, procedures, and approved budgets.
- Identify financial risks, weaknesses, irregularities, and potential cases of fraud, and report them to management.
- Recommend corrective measures to address financial control weaknesses.
- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax regulations, and other relevant financial requirements.
8. Audit and External Financial Review
- Coordinate and support internal and external audit processes.
- Prepare financial records and supporting documents required for audits.
- Respond to audit queries and provide necessary explanations and documentation.
- Follow up on audit findings and ensure implementation of agreed corrective actions.
- Maintain proper documentation to facilitate transparent and efficient audits.
9. Cash and Bank Management
- Monitor cash balances and ensure adequate availability of funds for approved operational activities.
- Review bank reconciliations and investigate unexplained differences.
- Monitor cash handling procedures and ensure compliance with internal controls.
- Ensure that cash collections are deposited promptly and accurately recorded.
- Monitor payments, transfers, and other banking transactions.
10. Accounts Payable and Receivable
- Oversee the management of accounts payable and accounts receivable.
- Ensure that supplier invoices and payment requests are properly verified and authorized before payment.
- Monitor outstanding supplier balances and ensure timely settlement of approved obligations.
- Ensure accurate recording and reconciliation of receivables and payables.
- Prepare regular reports on outstanding receivables and payables for management review.
11. Asset and Inventory Financial Control
- Ensure proper financial records are maintained for the organization’s assets.
- Participate in asset verification and reconciliation exercises.
- Ensure that asset purchases, disposals, depreciation, and transfers are properly recorded.
- Work with relevant departments to strengthen controls over organizational assets and inventory.
12. Financial Analysis and Advisory
- Analyze financial data and provide management with useful financial insights.
- Identify trends, risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for cost reduction and improved financial performance.
- Advise management on financial matters and the potential financial impact of major decisions.
- Prepare financial forecasts and other financial analyses when required.
13. Team Leadership and Departmental Administration
- Lead the Finance and Accounting Department in achieving its objectives.
- Promote teamwork, professionalism, accountability, integrity, and confidentiality among finance staff.
- Conduct regular finance department meetings and follow up on agreed actions.
- Develop and improve financial procedures and systems to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
- Ensure that finance staff comply with organizational policies and professional standards.
14. Reporting to Management
- Provide regular updates to management on the organization’s financial position and performance.
- Immediately report significant financial risks, irregularities, control weaknesses, or suspected financial misconduct.
- Prepare financial reports and management accounts as required.
- Provide recommendations to management based on financial analysis and available financial information.
15. General Responsibilities
- Maintain the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, accuracy, and professionalism.
- Safeguard the organization’s financial resources and confidential financial information.
- Work closely with internal and external auditors
- Ensure proper use and accountability of financial systems and resources.
- Keep up to date with relevant accounting standards, tax requirements, financial regulations, and best practices.
- Perform any other financial, accounting, or administrative duties assigned by management.
|
Copy of all degrees
Cover Letter
CV
Service testimonial of previous or current employer
|
