Senior Management Accountant (Level 8)

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Director, Finance & Accounts Branch, the Senior Management Accountant (Level 8), is responsible for the preparation, coordination and implementation of the Authority’s budget. Accordingly, the incumbent is responsible for establishing and operating effective budgeting and cash management systems; serves as the chief advisor to the Director of Finance & Accounts on all management accounting matters relating to the expenditure budgets and other funds and assets under the control of the Authority. 

Key Responsibilities

Management/Administrative: 

• Participates in the development and updating of the Authority’s objectives, strategies and Corporate Plan; 
• Participates in the quarterly evaluation of the performance of Programme Managers;
• Participates in the preparation of the annual work programme and budget for the Finance and Accounts Division; 
• Plans, organizes and directs the work of the Management Accounts Branch, including overseeing the creation of the Branch’s Corporate and Operational Plans and Budgets;
• Reviews the annual Work Plans for direct reports to ensure that they are aligned with objectives of the Branch, Division and the overall organizational objectives;
• Monitors the work programme of direct reports to ensure that work is carried out as planned and that agreed targets are achieved; 
• Prepares monthly, quarterly budget and other reports for submission to the Divisional Director. 

Technical/Professional Responsibilities: 

• Advises the Director of Finance on the financial performance of the Authority and on its financial status. 
• Provides expert advice and specialist assistance to programme managers.
• Maintains a budgeting system that fits into a timetable and delivers expenditure budgets according to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service
• Prepares draft expenditure budgets for the Authority through a process of co-ordination, consultation and consolidation ensuring that such budgets are prepared in accordance with: 
  • The ceilings and guidelines outlined in the Budget Call issued by the Chief Executive Officer; 
  • The objectives and strategies of the Authority as outlined in its Corporate Plan;
  • The National Economic and Policy Priorities 
• Analyses the budget requests from internal Divisions/Branches/Sections/Units to ensure that they reflect the level of allocations and guidelines established by the Authority’s senior management team and are supported by realistic implementation plans, where applicable; 
• Provides guidance where necessary to Divisions/Branches/Sections/Units, in the preparation of the narratives in support of the budget allocations to ensure that it brings out the specific purposes and performance indicators given in the Corporate Plan;
• Submits the consolidated draft budget estimates to the Director of Finance & Accounts ensuring that it conforms with the prescribed guidelines and that there is adequate time for it to be reviewed and approved by the Chief Executive Officer for submission to the Public Expenditure Division of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service within the stipulated deadline; 
• Reviews in conjunction with Programme Managers the structure of cost recovery/user fees to ensure that all possible scope for user fees/cost recoveries is covered; 
• Ensures validity of the estimates of revenue in light of the reasonableness of the existing rates relative to current costs, trends of actual collection and any special factors that will affect future trends etc. 
• Prepares annual Estimate of Miscellaneous Revenue and/or Appropriations-in-Aid in accordance with the format stipulated by the CEO; 
• Prepares in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service the following budget statements for the Authority: 
  • Income and Expenditure; 
  • Balance Sheet; 
  • Cash Flow; 
• Maintains control over the level of public expenditure, ensuring that expenditures are kept within budgetary limits and that: 
  • High standards of performance are achieved; 
  • Value for money is achieved in the management of public finances; 
  • Projects are completed on time and within budget. 
• Implements and operates an effective cash management system which includes:
  • Allocating the monthly and quarterly warrants in accordance with agreed priorities;
  • Implementing an effective mechanism for containing expenditures within the warrant limits through a system of commitment planning and control; 
  • Ensuring that appropriations-in-aid, if any, are fully realised; 
  • Ensuring that expenditure against the approved budget is met from the warrant allocation and not from unauthorised sources such as withholding statutory and other approved deductions, diverting divisional revenue etc. 
• Reviews on an on-going basis all bank accounts to ensure that there are no large idle cash balances; 
• Establishes and operates a sound system for budget implementation which will ensure proper expenditure management and control in the Authority, including the regularity and propriety of all expenditure incurred, and general compliance with the overall requirements of the FAA Act and the instructions there from; 
• Evaluates in conjunction with the Corporate Planning Unit, physical and financial performance in the implementation of the capital projects as well as activities in the recurrent budget; 
• Establishes and maintains an effective system for ensuring the prompt receipt of all revenue receivable and all other accounts receivable; 
• Ensures that the actual revenue collections are monitored monthly against targets and that in the event of a shortfall in collections, authorised measures are employed to improve collections and bring it in line with targets; 
• Ensures that all revenues collected and payable to the Accountant General for Miscellaneous Revenue are remitted promptly and that monthly reconciliation of such revenues with the Accountant General’s Department is done; 
• Puts in place a sound system of management accounting and reporting to meet operational requirements of the Authority. 

Human Resource Management: 

• Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares performance appraisals and recommends and or initiates corrective action where necessary to improve performance and/or attaining established personal and or organizational goals; 
• Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Branch and recommends transfer, promotion, termination and leave in accordance with established human resource policies and procedures; 
• Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching; 
• Ensures the welfare and developmental needs of staff in the Branch are clearly identified and addressed; 
• Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Division’s and organization’s goals;
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies 

Core: 

• Good presentation, oral and written communication skills; 
• Good analytical and judgment skills; 
• Good planning and organizing skills; 
• Good problem-solving skills; 
• Good interpersonal and influencing skills; 
• Good team building skills; 
• Good leadership attributes; 
• Good customer relations skills. 

Technical: 

• Excellent knowledge of budgetary systems and procedures, especially the laws regulating principles and practices relating to public sector budget preparation and administration;
• Excellent knowledge of Government Accounting and Financial Administration, FAA Act and Regulations; 
• Good knowledge of the organization’s policies and procedures and the Fisheries Bill 2018;
• Competence in analyzing and interpreting financial statements and reports;
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications. 

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience 

• Association of Certified Chartered Accountant Level 2 (ACCA 11) or any equivalent recognized professional qualification in accounting or management 
• Completion of relevant Government Accounting Courses 
• At least five (5) years related accounting experience. 

OR 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Management Studies or any equivalent relevant qualification from a recognized tertiary institution 
• Completion of relevant Government Accounting Courses 
• At least five (5) years’ related experience in Accounting. 

OR 

• Associate Degree in Accounting (MIND) along with the completion of the revised Certificate in Government Accounting. 
• At least seven (7) years related accounting experience, with two (2) at the Supervisory level. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job 

• Periodically required to work beyond normal working hours, e.g. Budget preparation period
• Occasional travel

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.