Accounts Assistant at Kenya Red Cross Society

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Responsible to the Finance Officer (FO). The Account Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the finance department by performing various accounting and administrative tasks. This position is responsible for timely and accurate recording of financial transactions, maintaining records, reconciliations and contributing to the overall efficiency of the finance team as guided by the college policies.

Scope of the role:

• Accounting and administration
• Accounts Payable and Receivable
• Financial Record Keeping

Your key Responsibilities:

• To ensure that all funds received from clients is receipted in the system accurately, on time and a valid receipt is issued
• Reconciling cash deposits/cheque collections at the end of each day with cash book balances and Prepare cash received schedules and summaries relating to cash receipts on a weekly and monthly basis, separated between tuition and other receivables
• Collecting cash revenue and ensuring banking is done within 24hrs as well as Perform reconciliation of accounts, identify and resolve adjustments and discrepancies in financial records
• Monitor monthly receivables activity while making sure that that billing, collection, and reporting is done
• Examine and analyze customer account details, which include non-payments, delayed payments and create an internal recovery system to ensure debtors days are maintained at 30days
• Set-up new customers and suppliers in Microsoft Dynamics NAV system, Complete general ledger account reconciliations by analyzing transactions, comparing expected results to actual results, identifying errors, and making necessary corrections, and presenting data in a user-friendly format
• Continuous debt collection to ensure receivables are maintained within 30days and match supplier invoices to the delivery notes and the Purchase orders before updating them into the Microsoft Dynamics NAV system
• Ensure timely Supplier Reconciliations before processing payment and Verify that all payment documents are properly approved, accurate and complete before processing of Suppliers, Staff and Students Payments by EFT, Cheque or Mpesa
• Calculation and Deduction of Withholding Taxes where applicable, adjusting the WHT and issuing withholding certificates and assist with the tax provision reporting process and the tax compliance process to include the submission of tax returns and tax payments to the relevant tax authorities
• Ensure that all adjustments to supplier accounts including credit /debit notes are approved accordingly before processing and respond to queries from the suppliers and customers
• Liaising with the procurement department regarding any supplier queries and Prepare payables and receivables audit schedules
• Any other duties assigned by management.

THE SKILLS AND COMPETENCES WE ARE LOOKING FOR: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance plus CPA (I) or equivalent qualifications
• Over two (2) years’ experience in financial accounting in a learning institution

Key Skills and Competencies

• Considerable knowledge of financial accounting and debt collection systems
• Ability to perform professional accounting work in accordance with the international “Generally Accepted Accounting and Auditing Principles” (GAAP), procedures and controls
• Effective communication skills ability to present ideas clearly, both orally and in writing and to prepare comprehensive reports
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, gather and analyze information skillfully, develop alternative solutions, work well in group problem solving situations and use reason even when dealing with emotional topics
• Considerable knowledge of computerized information and financial management systems, proficiency in database systems, spreadsheet and flow chart applications, computerized accounting systems
• Demonstrate ability to meet deadlines, analyze financial and operational data and information, think analytically and critically
• Ability to maintains high level of confidentiality, remain open to new ideas and experiment with improved systems and proven methods
• Ability and willingness to make consultative decisions, exhibit sound and accurate judgment, support and explain reasoning for decisions, include appropriate people in decision-making process and makes timely decisions

Personal Attributes

• Team player
• Positive attitude
• Initiative taker
• Logical and detail oriented
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Highly committed and self-motivated