Accountant 1 at RTI International

Overview

• The Accountant position will be responsible to support the Finance Director in implementing the financial obligations of the Empowering East & Central Africa (EECA) program including financial management, budgets, accounting, treasury and financial reporting to ensure delivery of financial support to the EECA operations in Kenya and within the region.

Responsibilities
The accountant is responsible for the day-to-day accounting functions of the project. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, he/ she is expected to utilize appropriate systems and follow proper accounting procedures to disburse, account for, and report source and usage of funds. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

• Internal Control System and Compliance management - To ensure ICS for financial management is adhered to by:
• Assisting in overseeing the implementation of SOPs and manuals and continuously engaging the stakeholders on the requirements of the procedure
• Review all purchase and payment documentation for consistency and alignment with approved charge codes and set procedures.
• Develop relevant SOPs to support the finance activities.
• Assist in the provision of input to compliance related issues and help address such issues.
• Accounts Management - Ensure production of accurate, complete and timely accounts on a monthly basis in compliance to RTI internal accounting principles:
• Posting of accounting data in QuickBooks
• Check, correct and review the accounting information in QuickBooks within the stipulated timelines.
• Manage advance accounts, petty cash, reconcile periodically and report status as per agreed timelines.
• Carry out necessary accounting controls such as quality of accounts, completeness of accounting documentation.
• Reconcile and present the end month accounting package to the Finance Director for review, closure and approval.
• Manage the presentation, circulation, filling and archiving of accounting and financial documents as directed by the regional finance control.
• Treasury Management - To ensure availability and proper utilization of funds for EECA program through:
• Preparing periodic cash forecast requesting for cash from home office (CMR)
• Manage the banking and cash activities ensuring periodic and frequent reconciliations and checks on balances.
• Under direction of the Finance Director pay contractors according to contractual obligations
• Budget Management - To ensure financial operations are in line with approved EECA budgets and Activity Approvals in compliance with client budget requirements achieved through:
• Assisting the Finance Director in calculating monthly communication costs of each base (Phone, internet) in coordination with the project administration and the logisticians
• Assist the Finance Director in drafting financial reports (monthly, semi-annually and annually) as required by project and organizational contractual obligations and timelines in assessing burn rates.
• Financial Audits - To participate as directed by the Finance Director in audits both internal and external ensuring availability of financial obligations and data for the audit ensuring accomplishment in a timely manner.
• Training and Support - To ensure that both regional finance and technical staff are equipped with relevant skills to support the project:
• To train periodically finance staff to ensure finance obligations are adhered to.
• To offer support both remotely and on-site finance and technical staff to further their knowledge on the implementation of the program with respect to project, organizational and client financial rules and regulations.
• Conduct any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting and at least 5 years of experience (or master’s plus 1 year of experience) in the management of financial systems and budgets, financial reporting, auditing, and/or taxation for a USAID-funded project.
• Professional Accounting Designation (CPA, ACCA), or significant progress toward obtainment of designation preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and/or experiences in accounting, financial planning and management, accounting transactions, budgeting, reporting and ensuring compliance of internal control systems.
• Knowledge of accepted accounting practices and principles.
• Significant experience using QuickBooks highly desirable.
• Advanced working knowledge of Excel and strong database skills.