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Financial Accountant
- Blantyre, Malawi
- Contract (Full-Time)
- Closing Date: 09/07/2023
Job Description
Introduction
The Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Research Programme (MLW) (https://devsite.mlw.mw) is an internationally recognized centre for research and training, funded by the Wellcome Trust in collaboration with our key partners, the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KuHes), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and University of Liverpool (UoL) among others. We are committed to promoting research and training led by Malawian & International scientists, with the aim of improving the health of people in Malawi and elsewhere in the Region. The programme manages more than 100 grants at any point in time and currently has close to 700 staff in research and Operations services.
We are seeking a professional and experienced Financial Accountant to join our Finance Team as we achieve our goals of conducting excellent research to benefit health and train the next generation of researchers and leaders.
Vision & Aims of the MLW-Programme
Our vision is to be a world-leading translational science institution in sub-Saharan Africa. We will conduct internationally excellent science to benefit human health. We will recruit and train outstanding researchers and leaders in a world-class research environment (https://devsite.mlw.mw ).
Critical to MLW’s success to date are:
- the ability of MLW to generate high-quality internationally competitive research and therefore maintain Scientific Excellence,
- the training and mentoring of the scientific leaders & staff that will underpin this excellence,
- robust and highly responsive Research & Training Infrastructure,
- strong in-country engagement and partnerships with government, stakeholders and other sector
Financial Accountant
The position falls under MLW’s Operations services. The Operations services are responsible for budget & financial management, Human capital, Facilities and Estates, Field sites, Communications & Community Engagement, Health & Safety, Supply Chain, IT services and Research Support Units (Laboratory, Clinical, Biostatistics and Data management). The Financial Accountant reports to the Finance Manager. He/she is responsible for overall responsibility for the accounting records, particularly the treasury function, cashflow management, general ledger, and balance sheet reconciliations. Specifically, the Financial Accountant is responsible for maintaining computerised books of accounts for various grants; monitoring and checking correct processing of payment vouchers; ensuring that the accounts receivables control account is reconciled to supplier statements on monthly basis; administering all forms of taxations and ensuring that recharges have been billed to all departments and captured in the accounting system. Together with the Finance Manager, he/she manages foreign exchange risk arising because of the programme’s holding of financial instruments denominated in foreign currencies. He /she supervises a team of assistant Accountants.
Responsibilities
Managerial
- To support a finance service of the highest professional standard.
- To be responsible for the direct line management of the Assistant Accountants.
- Deputise for the Finance Manager in their absence.
Training
- To assist in training of new staff and updating of existing staff when necessary.
General Tasks
- To maintain computerised books of accounts for various grants and ensure that they are always up to date.
- To monitor and check the correct processing of payment vouchers and ensure that purchase invoices tally with requisitions, goods received notes, local purchase orders and delivery notes.
- To assist the Finance Manager in management of foreign exchange risk arising as a result of the Programme’s holding of financial instruments denominated in foreign currencies.
- To ensure that bank reconciliation statements are prepared monthly
- Maintenance of accurate Purchase and Sales ledger control accounts
- To ensure that the accounts payables control account is reconciled to the ageing payables listing.
- To ensure that accounts payable sub-ledgers are reconciled to supplier statements every month
- To ensure that the accounts receivables control account is reconciled to the ageing receivables listing
- Maintenance, in conjunction with the Finance Manager, of an up-to-date financial procedures handbook for use by all MLW employees
- To administer all forms of taxation i.e. withholding tax, FBT and PAYE
- To ensure that all recharges have been billed to all departments and captured in the accounting system
- To manage petty cash and ensure that replenishment are supported by proper liquidations
- To ensure that petty cash on hand is reconciled to the general ledger monthly
- Take lead in checking expenditure supporting documents to ensure sufficiency and completeness to support payments
- Generating purchase orders from purchase requisitions
Requirements
Education
- The minimum level of education required to perform all the duties of the job to standard.
- Accounting Degree, ACA and ACCA (Essential)
Experience
- 5 years years experience as financial Accountant in Non Profit making organization.
- Experience of managing teams of at least 3 staff and above. (Essential)
- Use of integrated Management Information Systems and accounting management software systems. (Essential)
- Working experience in medical research, industry, hospital management and International Non-Government Organizations. (Desirable)
Candidate Profile
We are looking for internationally recognized accounting professionals (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with a university degree in Accountancy or related field and a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, or related area.
Apart from experience in supervising staff, he/she also must have a proven management experience of accounts, treasury, monitoring and reporting as well as a proven experience with international Not-for-Profit organisations and international funding organizations. The successful candidate must also have excellent knowledge of accounting software and other relevant software packages (e.g., MS Word, Excel), and competency in deploying information technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Candidates should also possess:
- A high degree of accuracy and high standards of ethics and professional conduct to ensure the correctness and reliability of financial information and reports.
- Good planning and organizational skills, ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Good interpersonal skills and good team player with ability to inspire others.
- Good capacity to communicate both verbally and in writing at different levels within the organization and with stakeholders.
- Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment and be flexible and client oriented.
- Highly developed skills in strategic thinking and problem-solving
Interested applicants should apply by sending, a cover letter, copies of relevant certificates, detailed CV (As one PDF) with 3 traceable referees (with at least 2 professional referees) to vacancies@devsite.mlw.mw. Indicate the position tittle as headline of your email. Hand-delivered applications will not be processed.
MLW recognizes its responsibility in safeguarding and protecting communities, research participants and patients with whom MLW is working. Please note that successful candidates will be requested to undergo a safeguarding check prior to appointment and at regular time points during employment.
ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED.