Finance Officer – Accounting and Reporting

What does the Busara Center do?

Busara implements research for organizations around the world, ranging from qualitative in-depth studies to lab experiments to large-scale randomized control trials. In addition, Busara’s advisory arm works with governments, non-profit organizations and private sector enterprises on improving their policies and products: Through incorporating insights from behavioral economics, we help organizations understand decision-making and enable them and the people they serve to make better and more informed choices.

Role Purpose Statement:

The Finance Officer – Accounting and Reporting is the primary driver of Busara’s accounting and reporting operations. This position is responsible for maintaining accurate, up-to-date financial records, including all ledger postings and reconciliations, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and internal controls. The individual is also responsible for additional finance and accounting duties within the finance department as may be directed.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

• Maintain and update the fixed asset register.
• Maintain and update general and subsidiary ledgers, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely reconciliation of balance sheet accounts.
• Perform monthly bank and M-Pesa reconciliations.
• Reconcile and file VAT, WHVAT, and WHT in Kenya.
• Review the tax ledgers of Busara entities and liaise with our external consultants to ensure taxes are filed.
• Maintain and reconcile cash floats advanced to staff, ensuring proper tracking, allocation, and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Review and post the corporate credit card transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance with company policies.
• Create and run amortizations on NetSuite and ensure the correct balance for prepayments and accruals.
• Review transactions in NetSuite to ensure costs are correctly allocated to the appropriate teams/divisions.
• Ensure project teams receive monthly P&Ls and support the R&A team with P&L queries.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual internal reports.
• Provide support in reviewing timesheets recorded in NetSuite and reflected in financial or operational reports.
• Assist in documenting and continuously improving business processes and accounting policies to fortify internal controls and enhance transparency.
• Contribute to optimal daily accounting operations and financial reporting as assigned.
• Contribute to continuous process improvements and system automation to drive efficiency and improve on quality of outputs.
• Support annual audits through audit preparation, including preparing schedules and responding to auditor queries.
• Any other tasks as may be required or assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration;
• CPA Intermediate/ACCA Applied Skills level
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Working knowledge of accounting software use and administration skills
• An enthusiastic team player and strong interpersonal skills.
• A hands-on learner with integrity and a desire to work in a dynamic, fast-paced, start-up environment.
• Fluency in English (both oral and written) and the ability to clearly communicate within a business setting.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and integrity
• Aptitude for numbers and quantitative skills
• Positive working attitude, with a focus on results

Desired Qualifications

• A minimum of two years of relevant work experience.