ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT

Purpose of the Role

The Accounts Assistant at the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit will support financial planning, budgeting, and reporting while ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulations. Key responsibilities include cash flow management, maintaining accurate financial records, internal controls, audit coordination, financial analysis, and risk management. The role also involves handling tax reporting, statutory deductions, and administrative tasks, including asset management.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Planning and Budgeting:
   • Develop and manage the organization’s budget for the Catholic Diocese of Marsabit.
   • Prepare Quarterly Forecasts for the diocese.
2. Financial Reporting:
   • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
   • Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations (such as GAAP or IFRS).
   • Monitor financial performance, including profit and loss statements and balance sheets.
   • Ensure preparation of bank reconciliation and bank statements.
3. Cash Flow Management:
   • Monitor and manage the organization’s cash flow to ensure there are sufficient funds for operations.
   • Oversee accounts receivable and payable, ensuring timely payments and collections.
4. Accounting and Record Keeping:
   • Maintain accurate financial records and ensure proper documentation.
   • Ensure all transactions are recorded following accounting policies.
5. Internal Controls:
   • Implement and monitor internal controls to prevent fraud or errors.
   • Ensure compliance with financial laws and regulations.
6. Audit Coordination:
   • Coordinate with external auditors for annual audits.
   • Prepare audit schedules and facilitate the collection of necessary data for the audit.
7. Financial Analysis and Decision Support:
   • Conduct financial analysis to support the diocese’s decisions.
   • Provide insights and recommendations to senior management on improving financial performance.
8. Compliance and Risk Management:
   • Ensure adherence to financial regulations, tax laws, and industry standards.
   • Identify financial risks and implement measures to mitigate them.
9. Taxation and Reporting:
   • Responsible for the preparation and submission of tax returns (PAYE, withholding tax, Value Added Tax-VAT, and other taxes)
   • Responsible for the preparation and submission of other statutory deductions (NSSF, SHA, and NITA)
10. Administration

• Ensure the organization is compliant with local, state, and Kenya tax laws.
• Managing basic office administrative tasks including filing, printing, and reporting
• Recording and processing all financial accounting practices
• Maintaining basic bookkeeping
• Updating accounts payable and receivables

1. Asset Management.

• Make sure all the assets of the diocese are fully captured in the asset management system.
• Make sure all the detailed information on the assets is captured in the system.
• Make sure all the assets are allocated to relevant institutions/departments of the diocese.
• Ensure all assets are valued periodically

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, CPA Sect II, and/or other relevant fields
• Minimum of 4 years experience with a professional accountancy such as ICPAK
• Must have industry and working knowledge of accounting and financial processes
• Keen and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Advanced IT and Microsoft Office Suite skills.