Cost Accountant

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the preparation of monthly management accounts, financial reports, supporting schedules and reconciliations.
• Analyze actual financial performance against budgets, forecasts and prior periods and highlight significant variances.
• Support the annual budgeting process, departmental budgets, financial forecasts and cash flow projections.
• Prepare financial analyses, trend and variance analyses, cost models and business cases to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Support analysis of School revenue streams, including tuition, enrolment, boarding, transport, activities and other income.
• Monitor departmental expenditure against approved budgets and assist in identifying overspending, financial risks and potential cost efficiencies.
• Support month-end and year-end closing procedures, general ledger reconciliations, journal preparation and investigation of accounting discrepancies.
• Support monitoring of capital expenditure, capital projects and fixed asset accounting and reporting.
• Assist in maintaining effective financial controls, policies and procedures and prepare supporting documentation for internal and external audits.
• Work closely with Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Procurement, Business Development,
• Heads of Department and other budget holders to provide accurate financial information and support.
• Maintain accurate financial records, supporting documentation and audit trails while ensuring compliance with School policies and applicable accounting standards.
• Perform additional finance-related duties as assigned by the Senior Accountant or CFO.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as CPA(K), ACCA, CIMA or equivalent, or advanced progress towards professional qualification.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ relevant accounting experience, preferably including management accounting, budgeting, financial reporting and analysis.
• Good understanding of management accounts, general ledger accounting, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with accounting or ERP systems.
• Strong analytical and numerical skills with excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to meet strict reporting deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with nonfinance colleagues.
• High levels of integrity, discretion and confidentiality.
• A proactive, solution-oriented approach with the ability to work independently and collaboratively