Branch Accountant I

• Job Title:                                 Branch Accountant I
• Reports to:                              Branch Manager
• Department/Service:              Operation

Job Description

The Branch Accountant I responsible for performs all accounting activities of the Branch; checks and signs incoming and outgoing documents; keeps accounting source documents under safe custody; takes run-up of general ledgers and reconciles them with control ledgers; maintains and updates fixed assets registers and ledgers; controls overall balances of the accounts of the branch transactions; reconciles transaction with head office and other branch accounts; and prepares financial and other reports at the end of each month.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs all accounting activities of the Branch;  
• Checks and signs incoming and outgoing documents; controls overall balances of the accounts of the branch transactions;     
• Maintains   appropriate record for the transfer of funds to branches based on the advice received from Head Office; 
• Prepares cash flow statement of the branch regularly to secure liquidity at branch level and notifies the branch manager on same;  
• Ensures that all directives in the financial policy and procedures manual are implemented by the branch. Prepares the financial plan and budget of the branch;
• Makes withdrawal approvals as per given authority limits; authorize opening and closing of customers’ accounts;
• Prepares payment vouchers and cheques for authorized payments after verifying the correctness of source documents.
• Ensures that utilities, house rent, and taxes are regularly paid; prepares payroll of the branch and other staff benefits.
• Calculates & capitalize interest for mandatory and voluntary savings;  checks the balances and distribute to payable accounts;  
• Undertakes accounting transaction data entry into the Peachtree system and produces appropriate ledgers and trial balance under the cost centre of branches; 
• Prepares bank reconciliation statements of the Branch on monthly bases;
• Monitors, verifies and controls the proper authorization of all cash disbursement and receipts of the branch office;
• Undertakes adjusting and correcting entries on time and posts to the respective ledger, determines that each subsidiary ledger is in agreement with the related controlling account in the general ledger.;
• Avails the books of accounts and financial records of the Branch for review and examination by the internal or external auditors or NBE inspectors, and rectifies discrepancies identified by audit report;
• Keeps fixed asset list of the branch and ensures that depreciation expense is calculated and passed periodically;
• Controls budget utilization of the branch and supports the branch manager in operating within the budget;
• Undertakes data backup on regular basis and keeps at safe custody as per the policy of the Company;
• Prepares monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and reports variance analysis statement and sends to Head Office; ;
• Maintains appropriate records of deposits and withdrawals, loan disbursement, incomes, repayments, arrears, bad debts and alert   management on major related issues  that require attention or action;

 Education:   

• BA Degree/College Diploma/TVET level 4 in Accounting and Finance

 Experience:  

• 2/3 years of relevant experience, out of which two years in a similar position
• Good knowledge of microfinance business
• Good knowledge of financial analyses methods and techniques
• Good knowledge of company financial policies and NBE and FIC directives and regulations
• Ability to compile and prepare financial reports
• Basic computer and Peachtree application skills