Position: Head of Accounting
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO),
Job Description
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC) – a leading wildlife conservancy
that works to conserve wildlife, provides a sanctuary for great apes and to
generate income through wildlife tourism and complementary enterprises for re-
investment in conservation and community development is seeking applicants for
the position of Head of Accounting.
the Head of Accounting oversees all accounting activities in the
organisation and also for ensuring that Ol Pejeta’s financial information is
complete and financially sound; that they are managed through a robust and
proactive reporting system and provide accurate, financial reporting insights
to enable comprehensive financial decision making.
Specifically the role oversees all the day to day aspects of the
accounting and reporting functions and is involved in the supervision and
management of general accounting activities, analyses, partnerships, and the
maintenance of effective internal controls while ensuring statutory compliance
in all accounting initiatives. The position is also expected to work with other
departmental heads and staff on financial matters that cut across the entire
organisation the larger finance department. The Head of Accounting makes
recommendations for systems improvements across the finance department and
oversees the implementation of approved changes across the department upon
approval.
Responsibilities:
Policies and Financial
Reporting
Supervise the preparation of accurate, timely, and prudent
financial and management information reports to support effective financial
decisions:
- Prepare and or extract periodic
financial statements to inform on current status and projected performance
to the different stakeholders e.g. senior management, BOD and the public
(statutory accounts)
- Lead in the documentation of
all financial books and records and also review, maintain, and reconcile
general ledgers and sub ledgers in the financial information system (Infor
10 systems)
- Keep abreast of changes in
financial regulations and legislation, and ensure compliance with
statutory obligations to minimise risk of litigation, financial and
reputational loss,
- Ensure accurate and timely
financial reporting of all business
- Lead in the development and
implementation of financial policies and procedures within the accounting
department and the entire organisation
Analysis & Advisory
Ensure that all expenditures are aligned to Ol Pejeta’s budgets
and prepare regular analysis of status highlighting any areas of concern:
- Advise on appropriate
technology to meet the organisation’s financial data processing, controls,
and reporting requirements
- Contribute to the development
of the annual budget by providing guidance to departments/budget holders
during department budget planning
- Support the finance function in
preparation of monthly performance/variance analyses and forecast reports,
carrying out cash flow analysis and management (financial projections) to
inform management decisions
- Lead the the Accounting
department in the preparation and monitoring the business’s annual budgets
and liaises with external auditors to drive ad hoc projects that will
improve process
- Ensures that there is a
proactive engagement across the accounting department in implementing
audit findings with a view of improving the business’s overall financial
- Review monthly expenditure and
recommend areas where savings can be
- Participate in identifying
financial risks, and threats pertaining to financial processes and systems
of the organisation
- Coordinate, prepare and submit
external audit
Disbursement of Payments
and Treasury Management
Ensure there is an effective treasury management policy to enable
accurate and timely disbursement of funds; ensuring that payments are made to
vendors, service providers and other stakeholders within the organization’s
policy:
- Disburse all payments and funds
in an accurate and timely manner and ensure the update of the general
ledger and sub ledgers
- Prepare and process payroll and
other allowances, ensuring correct calculation of statutory deductions
- Always ensure compliance with
Ol Pejeta’s financial policies and standards when making payments
- Ensure that taxes and other
statutory dues are paid in accordance with the stated timelines , and
reporting made timely and accurately
Financial Administration
Support the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in ensuring that routine
financial administration is carried out in accordance with good accounting
practice:
- Manage inventory at all time
(consumables and fixed assets), and ensure that all Ol Pejeta’s fixed
assets are on the register
- Maintain financial records
(both system and physical)
- Actively participate in the
sensitisation of staff and suppliers and provide guidance on improved
payment processes, accountability and practices
- Engage relevant stakeholders –
banks, tax authorities, county officials, donors, partners
Supervision and
Leadership
- Plays a leadership role by
leading the accounting departments ; supervising end-of-period processes
and supporting the analysis of the periodical business performance, budgets,
and forecasts.
- Leads the accounting department
in the establishment of risk management procedures as well as the update
of those procedures. As the leader of the accounting department, the
position is charged with motivating, developing, and creating a
departmental culture and vision, taking full responsibility for the
success or failure of the quarterly/annual audit
- Responsible for building talent
across the accounting department and supports continuous improvement
initiatives across the finance department. Should serve as a thought
leader within the business and partners with senior management
contributing to general financial management across the business. In this
leadership position, staff also expected to play a mentorship role to key
accounting personnel, supporting their continuous professional growth and
readying them for the succession of the position in th
Research/Knowledge/Opportunity
- The position takes initiative
in ensuring departmental compliance with tax requirements as well as with
accepted accounting
- The staff will also attend
regular finance forums/meetings both internally and externally in an
attempt to gather useful knowledge and insights that can be applied within
the accounting department and the organisation at
- They are expected to make
recommendations for systems improvements across the finance department and
oversee the implementation of approved changes across the department and
organisation upon
Other Duties: Perform similar duties
as deemed fit for the proper execution of their duties and any other duties as
delegated by the Chief Financial Officer
Qualifications
- Qualified Accountant (ACCA or
CPA or equivalent) and degree in related field e.g. Accounting or
- A minimum of 5 years’
experience at a Senior Accountant
- Advanced MS Excel skills and
previous experience in using the Infor10 SunSystems application or other
ERP system would be an
- A solid background in financial
policy development and experience in developing and enforcing internal
financial controls and
- Good knowledge of IFRS and Tax
Management under Kenyan tax laws
- Ability to combine trading and
grant/donor activity and accounting for both incomes and
- Capability in a multi-currency
financial environment encompassing budgeting, reporting and foreign
currency exposure
- Established track record of
delivering quality product to tight deadlines and of balancing multiple
commitments
- Interact with diplomacy and
tact and follow-up on requests in timely and efficient
- Demonstrated written and verbal
communication skills to effectively present information, strengthen
capacity, respond to questions, and write reports, policies and
procedures, and other critical
- Self-motivated, results focused
and able to work with minimal supervision
- Experience of working with
people from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating respect for, and
understanding of, cultural differences and the management
- Strong staff management and
team building and mentoring
- Good problem-solver,
analytical, creative, innovative and
How to apply
Any person who wishes to be considered for this position is
requested to submit their application letters together with copies of relevant
certificates, testimonials/references and any valid professional licenses to
email address below by Tuesday 21st July 2020.:
Head of Human Capital
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
P.O. Box Private Bag,
Nanyuki -10400
Email address : accounting@olpejetaconservancy.org with
the mail subject as: Head
of Accounting
ONLY SUCCESSFUL
CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
THE OL PEJETA
CONSERVANCY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL POTENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE
ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.