Job Description – Accountant
I. General Data
Job Title: Department: Reports to: Supervises: Accountant Operations Department ED (Operationally) & Board Treasurer (Administratively) Accounts Clerk II. Job Purpose
To prepare the accounts for Kesho and to examine and prepare accurate and timely financial information and reports to enable Kesho to meet it’s strategic financial and programme activities. III. General Responsibilities
1. To work towards Kesho’s mission of advancing the lives of vulnerable children and youths in Kilifi
by putting the interests of the child first.
2. Work within Kesho’s Core Values: operate with integrity, transparency and accuracy to provide an
efficient, non-discriminatory, strategic, high quality and non-profligate service to all our
beneficiaries, donors, partners and other stakeholders.
3. Undertake all procedures in accordance with Kesho’s policies and procedural guidelines
IV. Main Responsibilities
A. Transactions and General Accounting Procedures
1. Undertake and oversee as appropriate, all accounting and financial activities ensuring they are
timely, accurate and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and with
Kesho’s Financial Timelines Policy.
2. Document and maintain complete and accurate supporting information for all financial
transactions.
3. Prepare and/or oversee the preparation and issuance of cheques including those for the payment
of student fees.
4. Develop and maintain accounting systems for cash management, accounts payable, accounts
receivable, credit control, petty cash and payroll.
5. Ensure effective and accurate bookkeeping and orderly filing systems for personnel and financials.
6. Conduct and review with the ED the monthly cash flow.
7. Undertake reconciliations on required accounts.
Page 1 of 4 8. Manage the acquisition of capital assets and ensure that assets are properly recorded, amortized,
and disposed of as appropriate.
9. Maintain the chart or accounts.
B. Compliance
1. Comply with local, statutory and legal financial and reporting requirements.
2. Coordinate the provision of information to external auditors for the annual audit.
C. Risk Management
1. Monitor legal issues affecting civil society organisations and ensure Kesho complies with all legal
and regulatory requirements.
2. Report risk issues to the ED and Board.
3. Construct and monitor reliable control systems over accounting transactions.
4. Maintain appropriate insurance coverage.
5. Ensure record keeping meets the requirements of auditors and government agencies.
6. Maintain relations with external auditors and investigate their findings and recommendations.
D. Financial Management and Reporting
1. Ensure timely and complete reporting of financial statements, metrics, management accounts,
cash flows and other relevant reports to meet the requirements of the ED and Board.
2. Calculate variances from the budget and report significant issues to management.
3. Timely and accurate external reporting in line with relevant contract agreements with Donors.
4. Manage and advise ED on financial investments.
5. Ensure access of key financial data and reports to the ED and Board through Dropbox.
E. Budgeting and Forecasting
1. Support the ED in providing the necessary information to establish guidelines for budget and
forecast preparation, and to facilitate the preparation of the annual budget.
2. Provide assistance to the persons responsible for preparing budgets for funding applications.
3. Prepare and monitor cash balances and cash flow forecasts.
F. Systems, Policies and Procedures
1. Develop, strengthen and automate systems for (a) General Accountancy Procedures, (b) Financial
Reporting and (c) the Preparation of Management Accounts.
Page 2 of 4 2. Develop, strengthen and ensure adherence to all relevant financial policies and procedures
including those for minimizing financial risk
.
G. Payroll
1. Oversee all payroll functions to ensure that employees are paid in a timely and accurate manner.
2. Timely and accurate processing and submission of statutory, insurance and benefits remittances.
H. Supervision
1. Provide training and supervision to assistants supporting the accounting framework.
I. Other
1. Prepare all supporting information for annual audits and liaise with the Board's Finance SubCommittee and the external auditors as necessary.
2. Ensure storage and back-up of all financial information through Kesho’s information storage and
back-up system.
3. Advise on income generating activities and financial services available to the Organization.
4. Contribute to the development and oversee the implementation of a strategic and operational
plan for the Financial Department, ensuring it conforms with Kesho’s mission and strategic goals.
5. Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
V. Contacts
A. Internal Contacts
1 2 3 4 Contact Executive Director Accounts Clerk Board Treasurer Administrator Programme Officers Purpose Routine Guidance Reports Nature Oral & written Oral & written Oral & written Frequency Frequently Frequently Occasionally Project funding Oral & written Frequently B. External Contacts
6.
1 Banks 2 3 Statutory bodies Donors Page 3 of 4 Contact Purpose Financial statements Financial services Returns Receipts Nature Frequency Oral & written Frequently Oral & written Oral and written Frequently Occasionally VI. Knowledge, Skills & Experience and Personal Attributes
A. Qualifications & Experience
1. Bachelors Degree in Accounting or Finance
2. CPA minimum Section 2, CPA K is desirable
3. At least 3 years experience in a similar position preferably within the NGO sector.
4. ICPAK member desirable
B. Essential Competencies
1. Knowledge of national and industry related financial principles
2. Advanced skills in QuickBooks, Excel and proficiency in MS Office
3. Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
4. Good communication skills with ability to prepare and present good written reports
5. Excellent planning, organization and time management skills
6. Attention to detail
C. Essential Personal Attributes
1. High degree of integrity and confidentiality
2. Team player
3. Business acumen and interest
4. Ability to multi-task and work with minimum supervision
5. Self-driven with a ‘can-do’ attitude
VII. Acknowledgment
I have read and understood the above Job Description Staff Names: ……………………..…………………………… Signed: …………………… Date: ………………………… Supervisor Names: Page 4 of 4 ……………………..…………………………… Signed: …………………… Date: …………………………