Accountant

JOB VACANCY: ACCOUNTANT

Organization:RULI HIGHER INSTITUTE OF HEALTH (RHIH)

Department:Office of Administration and Finance/ Finance Department.

Job Level and Type: Level 3 - Full time.

Reports to:Director of Finance/ Chief Accountant.

The age range: 30-45 Years.

Location:RHIH Headquarters in Ruli Sector, Gakenke District, Northern Province.

1. Job Summary

The Accountant at RULI HIGHER INSTITUTE OF HEALTH is tasked with maintaining accurate financial records, managing day-to-day financial operations, and ensuring strict compliance with institutional financial policies, tax regulations, and public accounting standards. This role supports the Institute's fiscal integrity by overseeing general ledger accounting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll processing, budget monitoring, and financial reporting. The accountant will examine financial transactions across diverse functions, including academic administration, student fee collections, research grants, procurement, and institutional operations, while collaborating closely with internal and external audit teams.

2. Key Responsibilities and Duties

A. Financial Operations and General Ledger Accounting:

• oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including recording financial transactions, maintaining the general ledger, and reconciling bank and cash accounts regularly.
• Ensure all financial transactions are supported by adequate documentation and authorized in compliance with the Institute's financial procedures and procurement rules.
• track accounts receivable (including student tuition fees, grants, and miscellaneous receivables) and follow up on outstanding balances.
• oversee accounts payable, process vendor invoices, verify supporting documents, and produce timely payment vouchers and disbursements.

B. Payroll Administration and Statutory Compliance:

• organize and process monthly staff payroll, ensuring accurate calculation of salaries, allowances, overtime, and deductions.
• Ensure timely calculation, filing, and remittance of statutory deductions and taxes (e.g., RSSB contributions, PAYE, and withholding taxes) with the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) and other regulatory bodies.
• Ensure proper compliance with electronic billing machine (EBM) systems and tax regulations for all institutional revenues and expenditures.

C. Budgeting, Financial Reporting, and Audit assist:

• help with the preparation of annual institutional budgets, periodic financial forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• produce accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, trial balances, and budget variance reports for management and the Governing Body.
• keep comprehensive financial records and audit trails to facilitate internal audits, external financial audits, and institutional compliance reviews.
• Reconcile project and grant accounts, ensuring funds are utilized in accordance with donor and institutional guidelines.

D. Advisory, Internal Control, and Asset Management:

• help with the design, evaluation, and strengthening of internal financial controls to safeguard institutional assets and mitigate financial risks.
• Participate in periodic physical fixed asset inventories, asset tagging, and depreciation schedules maintenance.
• deliver financial guidance to department heads and project managers regarding budget utilization and expenditure tracking.

D. Special Projects and Administrative Duties:

• Participate in financial system upgrades (e.g., migration or optimization of accounting software such as QuickBooks, ERP systems) and process automation initiatives.
• Stay current with developments in public financial management, tax legislation, higher education funding, and accounting standards (e.g., IFRS/GAAP).
• Perform other finance-related tasks and special investigations assigned by the Director of Finance or institutional management.

3. Qualifications and Experience

• Education:Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Business Administration (Finance/Accounting option). A master’s degree in these areas is an added advantage.
• Professional Certification:Progress towards professional accounting qualifications (e.g., CPA, ACCA) is strongly desirable.
• Experience:
  • Being between 30 and 45 years old.
  • Minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive professional experience in financial accounting, auditing, bookkeeping, or financial management, preferably within a higher education institution, health sector, or reputable corporate/non-profit organization.
  • Demonstrated proficiency and hands-on experience in using computerized accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage, or institutional ERP systems) is a must.
  • Strong working knowledge of tax compliance regulations, payroll management, and financial reporting standards.

4. Required Skills and Competencies

A. Technical Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles (IFRS, GAAP), financial reporting standards, and public financial management practices.
• Proficiency in advanced data analysis and spreadsheet tools (e.g., Microsoft Excel, financial modeling) to interrogate financial datasets.
• Strong understanding of internal control frameworks, risk management, and audit requirements.
• Familiarity with Electronic Billing Machine (EBM) systems and national tax filing procedures.

B. Soft Skills:

• Analytical and Critical Thinking:Ability to analyze complex financial data, reconcile discrepancies, and detect root causes of financial variances.
• Communication:Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present financial information to non-financial managers.
• Interpersonal Skills:Strong collaborative and professional relationship-building skills when dealing with staff, students, vendors, and auditors.
• Problem-Solving:Proactive and solution-oriented approach to resolving accounting bottlenecks and ledger discrepancies.
• Integrity and Objectivity:Unquestionable professional ethics, high standards of honesty, and strict adherence to financial confidentiality.
• Attention to Detail:Meticulous accuracy in data entry, invoice verification, reconciliation, and financial statement preparation.
• Time Management:Exceptional ability to oversee multiple priorities, meet strict monthly reporting deadlines, and perform under pressure during audits.

5. Personal Attributes

• High level of professional integrity, transparency, and absolute confidentiality regarding financial and payroll data.
• Vigilant, objective, and methodical nature with strong dedication to internal control compliance.
• Adaptable and resilient in a dynamic academic and healthcare training environment.