Back Accountant

This position is hybrid requiring a few days per week in the WRI Africa office in Nairobi, Kenya. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

Our vision for Africa is an inclusive transformation so Africa’s people and landscapes flourish. WRI Africa generates actionable knowledge across four strategic pillars: vital landscapes, Energy, thriving and resilient cities, and institutional and economic transformation. The WRI Operations team supports the crucial front-line work of the organization, directly interacting and working with donors, partners, government agencies, statutory bodies, trustees, vendors, and consultants, to provide support in different operational areas and in solving problems. This support means that WRI programs can be implemented without hurdles and the program staff and researchers can develop high quality research documents, plans and implement the programs at the field level. The WRI Operations team strives for operational excellence across all functions starting with the recruitment, retention and management of WRI’s staff, our most important asset. We manage our endowment, the contributions entrusted to us, and our facilities in ways that are in line with our values and advance our mission. We maintain strict budgetary planning and financial controls to ensure that all contributions are managed in compliance with donors’ regulations.

https://www.wri.org/wri-africa

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Finance Manager, WRI Africa, you will be responsible for executing the daily accounting and bookkeeping activities mainly for WRI Kenya to ensure adherence to WRI internal controls, donor guidelines and mandated laws. WRI Kenya currently provides payments processing support other Africa countries. You will work with the Africa accounting and finance team and operations and program team, coordinating with them to ensure the smooth running of operations and coherence of procedures and systems.

What will you do:

Accounting (60%):

• Ensure accounting and financial transactions are well supported before payment processing and booking in the accounting system
• Book financial transactions in Costpoint accounting system. Work with programs staff, operations staff and accounting team from the global office to ensure transactions have the right charge and accounting codes
• Review journal entries, analyze General Ledger (GL) accounts, and accrue required expenses each month
• Perform reclasses for incorrectly coded transactions
• Support internal, external and donor audits by preparing schedules and providing supporting documents
• Prepare bank reconciliations for review by the Finance manager
• Manage the advances and receivables from staff
• Manage the credit card issued to staff Ensuring that the expenses are reported on time and reconciliations prepared
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly close
• Maintain an optimal archival system of accounting and finance documents (Soft and Hard copies)
• Monitor cash position of WRI Kenya to ensure liquidity and support the Finance Manager in preparing the quarterly fund requests

  Payments Processing (30%):

  • Prepare and process payments to vendors both in Kenya and across the Africa region where WRI operates
  • Process advances to staff
  • Work with the program staff on processing of mobile money to participants
  • Responsible for reconciliation of mobile money GL account
  • Ensure timely payment and submission of payroll statutory returns (PAYE, NSSF, NHIF, Housing Levy, etc.) and other taxes such as Withholding Taxes to the relevant government bodies

    Payroll Management & Finance Administration (10%):

    • Support the finance manager in preparing payroll ensuring accurate calculations. Send pay slips to staff
    • Responsible for sending annual P9A to staff
    • Support the updating of current financial policies and procedures and implementation of new financial policies and procedures
    • Work with the Administration Manager to maintain an updated organization’s fixed asset register
    • Support the Administration Manager in procurement, Logistics, and contract execution
    • Offer timesheet guidance to current and new employees
    • Work with program and core staff to ensure timesheets are submitted on a timely basis.

      What will you need:

      • Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Accounting, Finance or related field. You are a CPA finalist
      • Experience: You have 3+ years full-time work experience in an accounting or finance department