Accounts Officer

Role & responsibilities

To maintain books of accounts, prepare reports and to provide financial information to the school top management.

• Well-versed with accounting and reporting practices for Trust Accounts.
• Manage accounting operations based on accounting principles.
• Maintain the books of accounts such as ledgers, journals.
• Handle petty cash.
• Verify and account for bills, invoices, POs, etc.
• Disburse bills.
• Handle payroll of staff.
• Compute taxes, prepare and file tax returns.
• Compile accounting data and prepare reports and statements such as Bank Reconciliation Statement.
• Prepare the schools balance sheet and profit & loss statement.
• Pass adjustment entries and ensure year-end closure of accounts.
• Manage audit process.
• Obtain audit certification with minimum deviation from process.
• Collect fees. Follow up on defaulters regularly.
• Manage school bank accounts.
• Suggest ways to reduce costs, enhance revenues and improve profits

• Prepare annual budget and financial forecast for the school.

• Create and maintain up-to-date digitized accounting records in the required software (e.g. Tally).

• Maintain accounting, taxation and audit-related records and files.
• Maintain record of fees paid.
• Report on the financial and accounting status to the Principal on a regular basis.
• Advise staff on matters related to compensation, benefits, and taxation.
• Interact with various stakeholders with respect to invoicing and bill disbursements.
• Liaise with external stakeholders such as banks, chartered accountants, and auditors.
• Demonstrate good listening skills with all stakeholders.
• Participate in staff meetings.
• Supervise Class IV staff to get required tasks done on time and effectively, as required.
• Maintain courteous relations with students, parents and staff members of the school, as well as with visitors and guests.
• Contribute to and support school level events.
• Contribute to creating a safe environment physical and personal in the school.
• Support and contribute to the general and personal safety of all students.
• Identify and report any observations related students at risk of physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment to the Principal, the School Counsellor, the respective Dorm Parent and the Nurse.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information acquired in the course of undertaking duties relating to the school.
• Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance and conduct.
• Adhere to school policies.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties related to the school and the job from time to time, as required or as requested by the Principal.
• Undergo First Aid training certification.
• Undergo Safety & Disaster Management training.
• Update skills related to your work domain from time to time.
• Participate in general training programs as the school may deem fit from time to time.

Preferred candidate profile

Qualifications

• Graduate or Post-Graduate Degree in Commerce
• Basic qualification in First Aid

Experience

• Experience as an Accountant or in the Accounting and Finance field (unless the candidate is a fresher)
• Minimum number of years: __ (based on seniority of post)

Abilities/ Skills Accounting & Finance

• High standards of competence related to accounting and auditing and creating financial statements

Abilities/ Skills General and Managerial

• Ability to work independently as well as the in a highly collaborative environment with other professionals
• Computer literate: Knowledge of maintaining digital healthcare records; use of email, Internet and basic WordTM and ExcelTM. Familiarity with Accounting Software (specified by the school)
• Excellent written and verbal communication and inter-personal skills – the ability to staff, parents (when required), external agencies.
• Initiative to work independently
• Excellent organizational skills
• The ability to manage time effectively, to prioritize and manage one's workload and schedules.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of school data and financial information
• Ability to understand residential school routine and policies and compliance with the same
• Medically fit, with the ability to cope with the physical demands of the job

Personal Attributes

• Professional and approachable
• Attention to detail
• Math and computational skills
• Analytical skills
• High personal standards of integrity
• Problem-solving skills
• Confident and calm, especially in emergency situations
• Willingness to assume responsibility
• Sympathetic, friendly and supportive nature
• Conflict resolution skills
• Positive attitude
• Mature personality
• Tactful, firm, yet kind
• Dependable and reliable
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic to learn
• Flexible and open to change