Management Accountant (FMG/PA 1)

Job Purpose

The Management Accountant is responsible for preparing and implementing the Annual Recurrent and Capital budgets, in accordance with the approved Corporate Plan, and optimizing the financial capacity of the RPD in its quest to manage financial resources efficiently and effectively. Additionally, he/she maximizes the benefits derived from positioning those resources, so that deliverables are achieved in accordance with the priorities and policies. 

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional: 

Budget Preparation 

• Ensures that the Annual Budgets and Cash Flows are prepared in accordance with MOFPS guidelines and Corporate Plan, as well as policy priorities and resource availability;
• Ensures that budget targets with respect to miscellaneous revenue and/or appropriations in-aid are realistic; 
• Analyzes Operational Budget requests received from Branches and Units to determine if they reflect the level of allocations and guidelines which were established by the RPD Senior Management team, and are supported by realistic Implementation Plans, where applicable; 
• Provides guidance to Branches and Units when preparing narratives in support of operational Budget allocations, to ensure that it is linked to the Branch’s/Unit’s specific purposes and performance indicators, as described in their Corporate Plans; 
• Presents the consolidated, draft Budget Estimates to the Manager, Final and Management Accounts; 
• Makes adjustments to the budget after review by the Ministry of Finance and Branch Heads of the RPD; 
• Ensures the timely distribution of estimates of expenditure to Branch and Unit Heads. 

Expenditure Management & Control 

• Obtains and analyzes the related monthly financial reports to determine if:
  • All funds have been utilized for its specific purposes as stated in the approved budget; 
  • The funds were efficiently employed. 
• Evaluates, in conjunction with the Corporate Planning Unit, the physical and financial performance, when implementing operational programmes in the Recurrent and Capital Budgets; 
• Monitors expenditure to ensure that it is within budgetary limits. 

Cash Management 

• Implements an effective Cash Management System, by: 
  • Allocating monthly/quarterly warrants in accordance with agreed priorities;
  • Implementing an effective mechanism to contain expenditures within warrant limits, utilizing a system of commitment planning and control; 
  • Ensuring that expenditure against the approved Budget is met from the Warrant allocation; 
  • Ensuring that all direct payments and other payments from Special Accounts are provided in the Budget and through warrants, and the Consolidated Fund is promptly and totally reimbursed; 
• Reviews, on an on-going basis, all related bank accounts, to ensure that there are no large, idle cash balances. 

Management/Administrative: 

• Participates in developing the Branch’s Corporate and Strategic Plans, as well as its objectives and strategies; 
• Maintains cordial and professional relationships with external and internal stakeholders and visitors. 

Human Resource: 

• Participates in the development of individual work plan.

Customer Service 

• Maintains and upholds all customer service principles, standards, deliverables and responsibilities; 
• Performs other related duties that may be assigned by the Manager, Final and Management Accounts, and/or the Director, Finance and Accounts. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Excellent organising, planning and interpersonal skills. 
• Possesses high ethical conduct and integrity. 
• Critical thinking/Analytical skills. 
• Teamwork 
• Communication 
• Sound knowledge of: 
  • Accounting Principles and Practices as well as Public Administration. 
  • the Government of Jamaica’s (GoJ’s) Accounting Standards. 
  • the Financial Administration and Audit Act and Regulations. 
• Expert knowledge and experience of GOJ’s Budget preparation process 
• Knowledge of: 
  • related GoJ Financial systems and 
  • and experience in related GoJ operations and Public Sector matters. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other applications. 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• AAT Level 3; or 
• ACCA-CAT Level C/Level 3; or 
• ACCA Level 1; or 
• NVQJ Level 3, Accounting; or 
• Diploma in Accounting from an accredited University or Community College; or
• A.Sc Degree in Business Studies/Management Studies/Business Administration from an accredited tertiary institution; or 
• A.Sc in Accounting, MIND; or 
• Diploma in Government Accounting, MIND, Government Accounting levels 1,2 3; or
• B.Sc Degree in Accounting/Management Studies with Accounting or BBA Degree from an accredited tertiary University. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• Travelling may be required. 
• There can be stress especially when meeting deadlines. 
• May be required to work outside of normal working hours.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.