Job Summary:  

The Finance Assistant supports the finance team by handling various administrative and accounting tasks. This includes processing invoices, reconciling financial records, preparing reports, and assisting with budget tracking. The role ensures accurate financial documentation and helps maintain smooth financial operations. Strong attention to detail and proficiency with financial software are key skills for success.

Reporting To: Senior Finance Officer

Roles and Responsibilities: 

Financial Management

• Proper management of the imprest system across the regional offices and at HQ.
• Effective monitoring of travel and project imprest.
• Accurate computation of statutory levies and timely remittance.
• Ensure the accuracy of the monthly pay sheet and statutory deductions.
• Prepare monthly payslips for approval by the Finance manager.
• Effective filing, scanning, and archiving of financial and office records.
• Assist the Senior Finance Officer in effectively coordinating with external auditors during the annual audit and providing properly filed supporting documents for a seamless audit process.
• Monthly update of expense data for Budget tracker preparation.
• Compile financial data and provide accurate and up-to-date financial information to the Finance Manager on a continuous basis.
• Work with the Senior Finance Officer to ensure an effective financial reporting system, internal control, and audit follow-up.
• Ensure that all financial transactions are processed in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ensure timely compliance with annual statutory returns with government agencies like FIRS, LIRS, CAC, SCUML, and non-governmental agencies.
• Post transactions on accounting software on or before the 2nd of every month.
• Accurate reconciliation of ledger balances every month. 
• Monthly Bank reconciliation.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Senior Finance Officer.

           Asset Control

• Maintain and coordinate the organisation’s Asset Register with the Admin department.
• Work with the Senior Finance Officer to update the Asset Register on a regular basis

          Administrative Support

• Maintain the vendor database.
• Lend support to the Administrative department on vendor management.

Financial Education

• Ensure all staff understand the organisation’s financial policies and procedures.
• Work with the Senior Finance Officer to provide staff training on relevant financial management techniques such as bookkeeping for Programmes and Office Managers and other in-house best accounting practices.

Taxes

• Draw up a monthly schedule and ensure that withholding taxes and VAT are computed accurately and shared with the Senior Finance Officer for review and filing returns.

Competencies:

• A strong level of oral and written communication in English is mandatory, and French is a plus
• Effective writing, listening and speaking communication skills

• Attention to detail and error-free reporting
• Organising and task management
• Punctuality
• Use of productivity tools – Google Calendar, Smartsheet, time sheets, etc.
• Integrity and honesty
• Courtesy and respect for others
• Respect for constituted authority
• Managing and embracing change
• Fosters teamwork
• Patience
• Self-development
• Creativity and taking initiative
• Achieving results
• Risk management and quality
• Prompt feedback on tasks and acknowledgement of official communication
• Accuracy in Financial reporting
• Detail-oriented Financial Reporting style 
• Zero tolerance for avoidable errors in reporting.

Education and Experience:

• A first degree in Accounting, Finance or other related fields
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and Accounting packages
• At least 2 years experience in Accounting related duties
• Student member of an Accounting professional body. e.g ACCA

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and experience with various Accounting software such as Quickbooks
• Thorough knowledge of relevant local laws on Accounting and Taxation
• A background in audit will be an added advantage

Please note that this role is hybrid, and the successful candidate must be resident in one of the following locations- Kenya; Lusaka, Senegal, Cameroon, Zambia,Zimbabwe.

Remuneration is between $11000 and $15000 gross salary per annum, depending on years of quality and relevant experience. This comprises annual gross salary and reimbursements (housing, transportation allowance, pension, meal allowance, utility allowance, dependant allowance, communication allowance). 

Other benefits included are a 13th-month salary upon confirmation, paid vacation, training and development, birthday allowance, medical cover for self, spouse, and up to 3 children, dependent allowance, staff loan scheme, staff lunch, paid maternity leave, and paid paternity leave, amongst others.

You can submit your application here.

The application closes on February 2, 2025, but the position will be filled as soon as we find the right fit. If you are the right fit, do not delay sending in your application.

Please note that submitting more than one application for this job opening may reduce your chances of being shortlisted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Paradigm Initiative is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.