Accountant

Job Overview

• We are hiring a talented Accountant to join our team. If you’re excited to be part of a winning team, Agar Ethiopia is a great place to grow your career. You’ll be glad you applied to Agar Ethiopia.

Purpose of the Position:

• S/he ensures the integrity of accounting information by recording, verifying, consolidating, and entering transactions.

Scope:

The Accountant is responsible for preparing financial statements, maintaining cash controls, preparing the payroll, maintaining accounts payable and managing office operations. The Accountant must work within the Financial Management Manual of Agar Ethiopia policies and procedures in compliance with all Territorial Acts and Legislation of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Failure to provide adequate services may result in punishment or dismissal from the job. For example: lost or misused revenues; inaccurate financial statements; financial hardships for employees, contractors and suppliers; and if the payroll and/or accounts payables are not processed in an accurate and timely manner.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

General Financial Management Services and Support: Job Description

Main Activities

• prepares and records asset, liability, revenue, and expenses entries by compiling and analyzing account information;
• maintains and balances subsidiary accounts by verifying, allocating, posting, reconciling transactions and resolving discrepancies;
• maintains general ledger by transferring subsidiary accounts;
• preparing a trial balance; reconciling entries;
• summarizes financial status by collecting information;
• preparing balance sheet, profit and loss, and other statements;
• produces payroll by initiating computer processing;
• printing checks, verifying finished product;
• completes external audit by analyzing and scheduling general ledger accounts; providing information for auditors;
• avoids legal challenges by complying with legal requirements;
• secures financial information by completing database backups;
• protects organization’s value by keeping information confidential;
• updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities;
• reading professional publications;
• maintaining personal networks;
• participating in professional organizations;

Financial System Administration:

Main Activities

• assist with preparation of the budget;
• implement financial policies and procedures;
• establish and maintain cash controls;
• establish, maintain and reconcile the general ledger;
• monitor cash reserves and investments;
• prepare and reconcile bank statements;
• establish and maintain supplier accounts;
• processes supplier invoices;
• maintain the purchase order system;
• ensure data is entered into the system;
• issue cheques for all accounts due;
• ensure security for all credit cards and verify charges;
• ensure transactions are properly recorded/entered into computerized accounting system;
• prepare income statements;
• prepare balance sheets;
• prepare monthly financial statements;
• prepare quarterly reports and report on variances;
• assist with the annual audit;
• maintain the computerized accounting system;
• maintain financial files and records

Accounts Maintenance:

Main Activities

• ensure the safeguarding of all transferred funds;
• issue and code authorized purchase orders;
• reconcile the accounts payable;
• prepare journal summaries;
• reconcile the accounts receivable;
• compile source documents;
• ensure issue of receipts;
• reconcile deposits;
• reconcile organizational services transactions;

Employee Administration:

Main Activities

• document new employees;
• establish employee files in the computerized accounting system;
• administer benefit entitlements;
• verify and report on benefits payments;
• maintain the leave management system;
• verify annual leave records;
• calculate and action deductions;
• submit remittances;
• prepare and issue leave slips;
• prepare separation documents for terminated employees;
• maintain confidential employee files;

Payroll Administration:

Main Activities

• set up employee files;
• verify and code timesheets and hours worked;
• calculate employee salaries, deductions and contributions;
• enter payroll information into the computerized accounting system;
• calculate source and miscellaneous deductions;
• process pay cheques;
• update leave and lieu time;
• prepare, review and file payroll summaries, journals and reports;
• issue records of employment;

Office Management:

Main Activities

• order office supplies;
• manage the filing, storage and security of financial documents;
• respond to inquiries;
• manage the repair and maintenance of computer and office equipment;
• maintain insurance coverage;
• issue permits and licenses for staff travels;
• maintain booking registers and vital statistics;
• administer general services including vehicles and motor vehicles;
• Perform other related duties as required

Reports to: Finance Manager

Based at: Dukem Center-Dukem and Head Office-Addis Ababa

Contract Type: 6 months with possible extension

Required No: 2

Job Qualifications and Experience:

• The Accountant must normally attain the required knowledge, skills and attitudes through completion of a First Degree in Accounting from a recognized university or collage in accounting program combined with related 2 years’ financial management experience. Accounting, GAAP, Research Skills, Analyzing Information, Confidentiality, Attention to Detail, Deadline-Oriented, Thoroughness, Corporate Finance, Financial Software, General Mathematical Skills are the most important financial management qualifications. NGO work experience is advantageous.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The knowledge, skills and attitudes required for satisfactory job performance.

Knowledge:

• S/he must have proficient knowledge in the following areas:
• computerized accounting programs;
• accounts payable and accounts receivables;
• generally accepted accounting principles;
• fund accounting;
• preparation of financial statements;
• preparation of financial reports;
• governmental or municipal services;
• administration of employee benefits;
• payroll systems and reporting;
• office administration;
• an understanding of relevant organizational legislation, policies and procedures;
• an understanding of the NGO cultural and political environment;

Skills:

• S/he must demonstrate the following skills:
• supervisory skills;
• team building skills;
• accounting and bookkeeping skills;
• analytical and problem solving skills;
• decision making skills;
• effective verbal and listening communications skills;
• effective written communications skills;
• ability to communicate effectively in English and Amharic;
• computer skills including the ability to operate computerized accounting, spreadsheet and word processing programs at a highly proficient level;
• stress management skills;
• time management skills;

Abilities:

• ability to organize and coordinate the work of the unit;
• ability to explain instructions and guidelines effectively;
• ability to determine work priorities, review work for quality and production standards;
• ability to assist others in solving work problems;
• ability to establish and revise operational standards;
• ability to compare data from a variety of sources for accuracy, completeness, and financial format;
• ability to collect, alphabetize, code, numerically rank, and sort/batch financial documents;
• ability to perform mathematical calculations;
• ability to prepare and/or process financial documents;
• ability to apply workers’ disability compensation rules, acts, guidelines, terminology, and practices to specific work situations;
• ability to abstract relevant and/or significant facts from case materials and data;
• ability to follow, applies, interpret, and explain instructions and/or guidelines;
• ability to make decisions and take appropriate actions;
• ability to meet schedules and deadlines of the work area;
• ability to communicate effectively and operate standard office equipment;
• ability to compose routine financial correspondence and reports;

Personal Attributes

• S/he must maintain strict confidentiality in performing the duties of the Accountant. S/he must also demonstrate the following personal attributes:
• be honest and trustworthy;
• be respectful;
• possess cultural awareness and sensitivity;
• be flexible;
• demonstrate sound work ethics;