Finance Assistant at International Budget Partnership (IBP)

PURPOSE

The Finance Assistant is responsible for all areas related to accounting operations and functions. This position will be responsible for adherence to accounting principles, practices, and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial statements. This position addresses tight deadlines and a multitude of finance activities including grant reporting, general ledger preparation, budgeting and forecast activities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Though itemized below its worth mentioning that work in IBP Kenya as guided by our country strategy and relevant workplans are collaborative, all rounded and multifaceted. Thus, staff members lead and follow-on different tasks and responsibilities, but the entire team adds value to the specific work. The goal is to have everyone’s back covered for the collective and individual success.

Accounts and Finance Management:

Performs all accounting operations and functions for IBPK in accordance with the accounting regulatory framework.

• Petty cash custodian and overall management of the petty cash utilization through preparation of monthly petty cash logs and vouchers in compliance with the IBP Kenya Petty Cash Policy.
• Performs all purchasing functions in accordance with policies and procedures and ensuring the procurements are in line with the budget and cash flow forecasts including establishing contact with vendors, requesting for quotations/proposals, issuing LPO, preparing bid analysis and confirming receipt of goods/work deliverables for various services as may be required by IBPK’s program activities.
• Lead the audit process for both institutional and project audits and assessments.
• Support the Management Team in preparation of organization core and project support budgets and to monitor the cash inflows and outflows.
• Support the Operations Officer to develop, update, and implement all relevant financial and organizational policies and internal control systems and regularly review them to ensure relevance, effectiveness and compliance with the local laws, good practices, and international standards.
• Support during events and activities to reimburse participants as appropriate, in compliance with the relevant IBP Kenya and donor policies and procedures and ensuring that all vendors correctly invoice and are paid for services provided.
• Support in the overall grant and sub-grantee monitoring and coordinating all phases of grants from expression of interest to award through close-out, including budget preparation and review, reviewing donor agreements, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Engage in programmatic work as interested and as requested to provide support.
• Participate in IBPK and IBP Inc all-staff meetings and retreats as required.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Management Team, in accordance with IBP administrative and financial protocols, policies and procedures.

Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years nonprofit accounting or bookkeeping experience
• Hands on knowledge and experience in Accounting Software preferably QuickBooks
• Hands on knowledge and experience in working on donor funded projects will be an added advantage.

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of accounting regulatory framework at the national, local, and international level
• Knowledge of taxation compliance matters in Kenya.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to thrive in and contribute to a culture of collaboration and teamwork in a diverse work environment.
• Demonstrates a very high level of organization; a strong ability to prioritize tasks to meet multiple deadlines.
• Detail oriented and flexible including ability to work remotely.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Fluent in written and spoken Kiswahili and English; able to communicate effectively with citizens, partners, consultants, and vendors, as appropriate.

Desirable Knowledge and Skills:

• A working knowledge and aptitude to engage the programmatic work on public finance and service delivery improvements in Kenya.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration/accounting/commerce or other business field from an accredited academic institution
• Minimum Certified Public Accountant (K) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (K)
• Membership in good standing of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) or any other recognized professional body
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office package required.