Schools Financial Support Officer (FMG/PA 1) - Financial Management Section

Job Purpose

Under the general supervision of the Regional, Financial Controller, the incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and co-ordinating the operations of all the infant, primary and high schools in the Region as well as the Accounting Services in the Region consistent with the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service guidelines and the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act. 

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional: 

• Co-ordinates and conducts visits to required government schools in the Region, to review their accounting practices, records and identifies weaknesses; 
• Recommends internal controls to improve financial management in schools;
• Aids schools in implementing proposed changes to their accounting processes;
• Reviews and certifies School Budgets and submits to the Regional Financial Controller for approval and submission to Head Office; 
• Provides guidance and technical support to Principals and Bursars in preparing budgets and financial statements and the management of school financial resources; 
• Monitors expenditures within all schools in the Regions, to ensure adherence to approved estimates and Government’s Procurement guidelines; 
• Evaluates and recommends requests from schools for funds and submits to the Regional Financial Controller for approval; 
• Reviews internal and external Audit Reports for all the schools in the Region;
• Prepares reports on school visits and recommends the intervention of the Regional Financial Controller; 
• Logs discrepancies and weaknesses found on school visits, meets the relevant Officers and provides recommendation to correct the issues; 
• Participates in the recruitment and selection of Bursars in the schools; 
• Co-ordinates and monitors the organization of workshops, training and seminars for Bursars, their assistants and other key school personnel, and does presentations, when necessary;
• Mediates with schools’ personnel, and other parties to eliminate or resolve financial problems being experienced by the schools; 
• Reviews submissions from schools for emergency payments and recommends approval;
• Participates in Bursar evaluation exercises; 
• Facilitates termly Bursar meetings; 
• Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time by the Director.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Ability to communicate very well 
• Ability to manage time well 
• High degree of initiative 
• Ability to relate and work very well with others 
• Attention to details 
• High level of integrity and confidentiality 
• Strong analytic and problem-solving skills 
• Sound decision making-skills 

Technical: 

• In-depth knowledge of the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act
• In-depth knowledge of Government’s accounting and financial principles, procedures and standards 
• Thorough knowledge of Financial Management 
• Thorough knowledge of the Government’s Procurement Guidelines 
• Knowledge of the Ministry of Education operation and functions 
• Ability to maintain effective internal controls 
• Knowledge of computerized accounting systems and Microsoft Office Applications 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• AAT Level 3; or 
• ACCA-CAT Level C/Level 3; or 
• ACCA Level 1; or 
• NVQJ Level 4, 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 University. 

Specific Condition Associated with the Job:

• Required to work beyond normal office hours at times; 
• Required to travel extensively to schools in the Region; 
• Required to possess a valid Drivers’ Licence and a reliable motor vehicle.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.