Blessed To Bless Association 
ORS/102/21/192 
Email: blessedtoblessinc@gmail.com
Web: www.zambiaschild.ngo
Address:  PO Box 11129, Chingola, Zambia

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION –  FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION MANAGER – FEBRUARY 2024

 

SCOPE

  • Blessed to Bless in Zambia is a charity funded by overseas sponsors and donors.
  • Students supported comprise more than 350 in primary and secondary schooling.
  • There are currently approximately 50 teaching and support staff.
  • The role reports directly to the Australian Committee.
  • The role falls under the leadership of ICS Principal Mr Amos Simfukwe.

 

CANDIDATE CAPABILITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

  • Qualified accountant (University Degree or Diploma preferred) with minimum 5 years post-qualification experience and registered with relevant authority (ie ZICA in Zambia, CA ANZ in Australia)
  • Outgoing and confident
  • Fluent in English
  • Computer literate with significant experience using Excel
  • Self-starter and able to work unsupervised
  • Experience with online accounting systems
  • Experience working in a school would be beneficial
  • Honesty, integrity and transparency are key attributes of the role

 

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Accounting
  • Appropriate end-of-year accrual and reversal journals
  • Maintain chart of accounts to reflect changing requirements of the organisation
  • Checking requisitions to ensure that budgets are adhered to

 

  1. Internal controls
  • Ensure internal controls are being maintained by accountant

 

  1. Payroll
  • Check monthly payroll and sign off on it before payroll is processed
  • Ensure leave records are being accurately maintained by accountant
  • Establish online Payroll System

 

  1. Financial reporting
  • Prepare annual accounts for Blessed to Bless Association
  • Facilitate the audit of the annual accounts through timely and complete provision of accounting records and related documents
  • Arrange cost recoveries as required eg Boarding House Opex and Capex expenditures

 

  1. Management reporting
  • Monthly and Year-to-Date analysis of expenses for each cost centre
  • Variance analysis against prior year and current year budget
  • Timely projections of cash drawdown requirements from Australia
  • Investigate unusual and exceptional items
  • Writing monthly reports for the Australian Committee highlighting any changes or concerns in the areas of Finance or Non-Teaching Staff
  • Monthly meetings with Australian Finance Sub-Committee

 

  1. Budgeting
  • Work with accountant to provide a detailed annual budget for each cost centre operating costs
  • Compile table of key financial assumptions including projections for cost inflation
  • Projections for student and staff headcount and their related expenses
  • Projections for tertiary student courses

 

  1. Tax reporting
  • Do regular checks to ensure relevant tax reporting is being carried out by the accountant as required

 

  1. Asset management
  • Maintain Fixed Asset Register with additions and divestments
  • Update annual depreciation expense model
  • Post end-of-year depreciation journals
  • Oversee regular stocktake of property, plant and equipment (including uniforms)
  • Investigate missing items; identify write-offs where required
  • Review property, plant and equipment for maintenance or repairs when required

 

  1. Administration
  • Support the Principal as required in other senior financial and administrative duties
  • Document standard work procedures for all accounting activities and revisit existing Procedure Manuals where appropriate. Ensure adherence to documented Procedures including recipients of cash payments and advances.
  • Ensure staff registrations are renewed: Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ); Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM); Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA).

 

  1. Management
  • Responsible for overseeing the role of Accountant and ensuring that all tasks required of the Accountant are completed to an exemplary standard.
  • Responsible for overseeing non-teaching staff including administration, agriculture, maintenance, security, boarding nursing and cooking staff.
  • Ensur that non-teaching staff (as mentioned above) are carrying out their duties as per their role descriptions.
  • Hold regular departmental meetings with non-teaching staff.

 

  1. Capital projects reporting
  • Projections for plant and equipment capital purchases including breakdown for new and replacement items
  • Support Australian management in preparing financials for building and expansion projects
  • Sourcing and assessing quotes for projects
  • Conduct due diligence on contractors
  • Liaising with legal firms in drafting construction contracts
  • Assist staff in preparation of Capex justifications
  • Manage Building Development Contracts and arrange costs recoveries where required
  • Establish Major Maintenance Schedule

 

  1. Procedures
  • Migrate responsibility for QuickBooks reporting from Australian office to Zambian office (this will depend upon reliability of internet access)
  • Implement rollover of current spreadsheet accounting system to an appropriate web-based accounting software which is accessible both in Zambia and in Australia, including set up of Chart of Accounts and all accounts – Customers and Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable
  • Train staff on best practice procedures
  • Establish a set of performance standards for support staff to achieve

 

  1. Risk management
  • Compile and maintain a Risk Register together with a risk mitigation strategy (Australian management to assist)
  • Conduct regular site safety review
  • Ensure effective insurances are executed and kept up to date (including staff medical and funeral insurances).