Assistant Accountant at North West University

ob description
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• To provide appropriate support to the Manager/s of the assigned Organisation Unit/s (OU’s) on the field of Financial Planning and Financial Management in accordance with NWU requirements, policies, guidelines and procedures.
• To fulfil the Fiscal Officer role which is to ensure the correctness and completeness of financial transactions as well as structural maintenance of the Chart of Accounts
• To support the Accountant in fulfilling his/her tasks
• To stand in (act as Deputy) for the Accountant in his/her absence

Minimum requirements

• Bachelors Degree/ Advanced Diploma [NQF level 7] with Accounting (3) or Management Accounting (3) as a successfully passed subject

EXPERIENCE:

• 3- 5 years’ Financial / Management Accounting experience in a medium to large size organizational environment
• Intermediate to advance proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• 3 years’ experience in ERP systems (e.g. Oracle, KFS)

KEY FUNCTIONAL/ TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Proven knowledge of management and general financial principles
• Computer literacy in MS Office (Word, Excel and Power Point)
• Demonstration of language proficiency to function optimally in the various functionally multilingual environments of the NWU
• Must be able to handle interruptions and changes (Ability to multi-task and still function effectively under pressure)
• Good communication, written and numeracy skills

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• An ability to interact successfully with individuals from a wide range of professional and non-professional backgrounds, including internal and external clients
• A commitment to the provision of excellent client service in a cross-cultural environment
• Ability to work accurately and to deadline with minimal supervision
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Ability to strictly enforce policy and procedures

JOB DESCRIPTION

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Management and Leadership:

• Take co-ownership with the Accountant for the coordination of the Financial Planning functions and processes for assigned portfolio/s
• Fulfil the acting Accountant role in the absence of the Accountant

Financial Planning and budgeting:

• Participate in the budget planning process
• Assist the Accountant with the management and coordination of the annual budget process of the assigned portfolio/s
• Assist the OU manager with the preparation and input of the annual budget on OU level
• Assist the project manager in the OU with the preparation of project budgets, including the adherence to the NWU financial policy and guidelines
• Collect input that can assist in strategic decisions and formulation of business strategies (including enrolment planning, new academic programs, external contracts, etc.)

Financial analysis, evaluation and reporting:

• Compile the monthly financial report and discuss the OU’s financial results with OU managers
• Compile the OU debtors report and assist with the sundry debtors follow-up
• Prepare and submit financial reports requested from external parties
• Prepare/consolidate useful financial information (which included, but not limited to, subsidy, tuition fee, viability, sundry debtors and variance analysis information) to assist the management team of the portfolio

Financial control and risk management:

• Keep abreast of changes in NWU financial policies, guidelines and procedures
• Fulfil the KFS Fiscal Officer role
• Confirm the availability of budget and the costing when OU manager wants to advertise a vacant position or appoint temporary staff or pay ad hoc salaries
• Assist in the monitoring of physical assets of OU
• Assist the Accountant with the follow-up of financial/audit queries
• Fulfil the quality control role regarding credit note memo’s (sundry debtors)
• Assist Accountant to ensure that all system requirements in terms of half-year and year-end procedures have been met timeously

Ad hoc assignments:

• Financial Planning office administration
• Personal development
• Assist with or prepare training material and assist with or present training workshops
• Delivering of other financial planning and management tasks from time to time in coordination with the relevant Senior Accountant or Faculty Manager of Financial Planning
• The annual total remuneration package will be commensurate with the level of appointment as advertised and in line with the NWU policy guidelines.