School Accountant at Reeds Africa Consult

Job Summary:

The School Accountant will be in charge of all school accounting functions which include accurate and timely billing, tracking payments, maintaining records and cash flow
Rey Responsibilities

• Financial Planning/Control and Management Reporting
• Ensure that the Finance function offers a high-quality and accessible service which is prompt, courteous, accurate and complete.
• Maintain the School's accounting records, fees ledger, and creditors ledger accurately and by agreed timescales and procedures.
• Prepare annual budgets and termly forecasts, monitoring performance and reporting budget progress.
• Prepare full-year forecast and termly management accounts including variance reports.
• Attend termly Finance committee meetings as required and deliver written reports.
• Invoicing & Billing
• Produce termly fee invoices and respond to invoice queries.
• Receipt and reconciliation of fee payments.
• Credit control including 1st and 2nd reminder letters, all minor credit letters and management of late-payers spreadsheet.
• Raise bank payments where appropriate.
• Prepare returns and arrange any payments to third parties collected through fees.
• Operational
• Prepare payments by transfers and cheques and manage records.
• Line manage the Finance and Systems Administrator.
• Conduct and agree monthly bank and control account reconciliations and account for petty cash.
• Ensure the timely banking of cheques.
• Maintain the fixed asset register.
• Ensure the School's relationship with third parties such as the Bank and auditors is responsive and professional.
• Advise and implement new financial initiatives as required.
• Statutory Reporting, Returns & Audit
• Prepare the school accounts for audit, including statements of Financial Activity and Balance Sheets in accordance with the Recommended Practice.
• Complete all returns as required by pension providers etc. Manage the audit process ensuring that the auditors have the information in a timely and effective manner. Keep the accounting and reporting systems under constant review, including the software, ensuring that they are effective and efficient.

Key Requirements & Skills

• Qualified Accountant CPA(K) with at least 2 years' relevant experience.
• Proven experience in financial reporting and in the preparation of management accounts, forecasts, and statutory accounts
• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate financial data at all levels of an organization.
• Sound knowledge of accounting standards.
• Confident in using Information Management Systems and able to learn new systems and processes quickly.
• Excellent time management, prioritization and organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Maintain strict confidentiality where appropriate.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a clear focus on customer service.

Desirable competencies:

• Previous experience of working within School Finance.
• Understanding of the Private School sector