FSD AFRICA JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB TITLE Accountant GRADE 3
2. PILLAR Finance
3. ABOUT THE We work to reduce poverty by strengthening Africa’s financial markets.
ORGANISATION
Based in Nairobi, FSD Africa was established in 2012 and is funded by FCDO. It has
a team of just over 50 people, of whom 10 work in the investment arm, FSD Africa
(Investments)(FSDAi).
FSD Africa is a specialist development agency set up to support breakthrough ideas
to build and strengthen financial markets across sub-Saharan Africa. It works to
reduce poverty by strengthening Africa’s financial markets. It does this by tackling
the most intractable financial market challenges in Africa – including the lack of
long-term finance, especially in local currency, and inadequate risk management
capacity.
FSD Africa’s team of financial sector experts works alongside governments, business
leaders, regulators, and policymakers to design and build ambitious programmes
that make financial markets work better for everyone. Depending on the project, it
can provide grants, investment capital, technical assistance, and market insights
(e.g., through research) to ensure it achieves its objectives.
We focus our work where the need is greatest, and where we believe the potential
for impact is the most significant. We have a specific mandate to invest in
breakthrough, innovative ideas that we believe can have a transformative impact.
Following the recent announcement of changes to the UK development budget, FCDO
has reaffirmed its support for FSD Africa as a regional financial market development
programme and has invited FSD Africa to construct a new strategy. FSD Africa seeks
to be at the forefront of innovation and action for financing a sustainable future for
Africa.
4. REPORTING REPORTS DIRECTLY TO Financial Accountant
RELATIONSHIPS
REPORTS INDIRECTLY TO Senior Finance Manager, CFO
DIRECT REPORTS N/A
INDIRECT REPORTS N/A
5. JOB PURPOSE The accountant provides bookkeeping support and contributes towards financial
process efficiency and compliance of the set organisational policies and procedures.
6. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS
Accounting and Financial Reporting
Ensure that data is entered and posted into the accounting system in an accurate and timely manner;
ensuring the availability of information needed in decision making and compliance with all relevant laws,
regulations and standards:
• Support the Financial Accountant and Finance Pillar in the preparation of financial statements. E.g.,
drafting project accounts for review by the Financial Accountant
• Prepare audit schedules in preparation for the annual external audit and respond to internal and
external audit queries during the audit exercises
FSD Africa Job Description: Accountant
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Disbursement of Payments
Contribute to an efficient payment system by ensuring that payments to staff, vendors, service providers
and other stakeholders are made accurately, on time and with good customer service:
• Receive payment requests and verify the accompanying supporting documentation; proactively
liaising with the payment requestor to assist them in following procedures.
• Prepare payment vouchers for disbursement of funds and ensure that the general ledger and sub
ledgers are updated in a timely and accurate manner.
• Prepare and process payroll and other allowances ensuring correct calculation of statutory
deductions; ensure that beneficiaries receive payslips and payment advice.
• Develop statutory schedules, file returns and ensure that taxes are paid on time and in line with
existing policies, procedures and statutory regulations.
• Prepare end of period adjustments: accruals for provisions for unbilled monthly expenses and
amortization of prepayments.
Financial Administration
Provide financial administrative support to the Finance Pillar team to facilitate the fluid and efficient day
to day operations of the department:
• Assist the Financial Accountant and Finance Pillar in managing assets, ensuring that all FSD Africa
assets are timely and accurately entered on the fixed asset register.
• Support the Financial Accountant and Finance Pillar in gathering supporting documentation that
will be used to respond to queries raised by stakeholders.
• Ensure that routine banking operations are conducted in a timely and secure manner.
• Replenishment of petty cash.
Finance Records Management
Manage the archive of financial records, ensuring that all documentation is secured confidentially and can
be easily retrieved as required:
• Ensure that all transactions are captured accurately and timely into the financial accounting system.
• Manage the filing and retention of financial records, ensuring that all documents are filed according
to FSD Africa records management policies and procedures.
• Ensure files are organised so that they are easily accessible, moving outdated files into the archive
as well as assisting the retrieval of documents.
• As a custodian of financial records, ensure only authorised access, and informing the Finance
Manager in case of problems or concerns.
Carry out any other duties or special assignments as assigned by the Financial Accountant.
FSD Africa Job Description: Accountant
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7. PERSON SPECIFICATIONS – ESSENTIAL AND DESIRABLE
7.1 Qualifications and Education
• Degree Commerce, Business Administration or related
• Substantial progress towards certification in accounting (e.g., ACCA, CPA, etc.)
• Excellent written and spoken English
7.2 Experience, Knowledge and Skills
• At least 5 years post graduate experience preferably working in the finance environment of a donor
funded organisation
• Proficiency in MS Office particularly Excel and Word, as well as a computerized financial
management system
7.3 Desirable
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Good analytical and mathematical skills
• Well organized and a good planner
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
8. COMPETENCIES
Foundation Specialist Leadership
Commitment & Drive for Results
Proactivity & Innovation
Effective Resource Management
Relationship Building
Communication & influencing
Thinking & Problem Analysis
Learning & Resourcefulness
9. KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Internal Relationships External Relationships
• Program assistants • Banks, KRA, statutory bodies
10. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct Control Indirect Influence
• N/A • N/A
11. APPROVAL PROCESS SIGNATURE DATE
Job Holder
Director HR & Talent Management
FSD Africa Job Description: Accountant
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