Chief Accountant at Kitengela International School

Job Summary

• The overall purpose of this job under the supervision of the Chief Finance Officer, is to manage and oversee the accounting and financial operations of the school which includes managing the accounting team, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial records, preparing financial reports for senior management and ensuring compliance with regulations and laws.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and present a comprehensive annual budget for the school in consultation with relevant stakeholders and consolidate the budget for submission to the Chief Finance Officer;
• Continuously monitor the usage of the school budget to ensure adherence and prevent overspending, highlighting any variances to the supervisor;
• Prepare weekly reports on school fee collections, cash flow, and submit them for review and decision-making;
• Prepare monthly reports on school revenue, expenditure, bank reconciliations, debtors and creditors, and present them to the CFO for review and analysis;
• Conduct monthly ledger reconciliations to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial records;
• Produce monthly farm and uniform centre reports, detailing performance and expenditure, and provide analysis to support decision-making;
• Prepare Environmental Safety Governance (ESG) reports on employee-related matters and utilities, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards;
• Support internal and external audits by providing relevant financial, respond to queries and provide clarification as needed;
• Regularly report on the costing of projects, including projected costs and actual expenditure, to inform decision-making;
• Prepare the payroll for all school employees, including Directors, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant regulations;
• Process and file statutory deductions, including PAYE, NHIF, NSSF, and any other applicable deductions;
• Process staff payslips and ensure timely payment of salaries and other benefits;
• Process weekly casual payments, referring to the attendance records to ensure accuracy and completeness of records;
• Process gratuity payments for contracts that have expired, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations;
• Manage staff welfare programs, including the KITI program, to promote employee wellbeing and satisfaction;
• Oversee the renewal and new application of medical covers for all school employees;
• Provide clarification to KRA on tax matters as needed, in liaison with the CFO, to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
• Assist the Chief Finance Officer in implementing financial policies and procedures to improve operational efficiency and reduce financial risks;
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial transactions;
• Provide mentorship and guidance to Accounts Assistants to facilitate their professional development;
• Assist in conducting regular risk assessments to identify potential financial risks and developing strategies to mitigate them;
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of financial reports to relevant parties;
• Build relationships with external partners, such as banks, auditors, and regulatory authorities, to ensure that the school's financial operations are aligned with external requirements and best practices; and
• Any other responsibilities assigned to the jobholder by the supervisor from time to time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in either Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Strategy or any other business-related field from a recognized institution.
• Must be a qualified accountant with relevant professional qualifications such as
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) or ACCA with a valid practicing license.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in both external audit and in-house financial management gained in a high-growth organization with 3 years at senior management level

Desired Competencies and Attributes

• Deep understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and auditing.
• Ability to analyse financial data to identify trends, potential risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and manage budgets for the school and its various departments.
• Knowledgeable about tax laws and regulations and ensure that the school complies with them.
• Proficiency in accounting software and other relevant technologies is essential to perform the job.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial regulations, and taxation.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Detail-oriented to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information in a clear and concise manner to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to lead and manage a team of accounting professionals.
• Ability to identify problems and find effective solutions to ensure the school's financial health.
• Ability to maintain high ethical standards and ensure the school's financial information is accurate and transparent.