Assistant Accountant

Purpose of Job

• The African Union, established as a unique Pan African continental body, is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among the peoples of Africa and African States as well as developing a new partnership worldwide. Its Headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, capital city of Ethiopia.
• In seeking to achieve these objectives, the African Union intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, among others, the implementation of new organization structure and the filling of regular and short-term vacant posts.
• The Commission of the African Union invites applicants who are citizens of Member States for the regular post of Assistant Accountant within the Finance Unit, at the Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR), under the Directorate of Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment.

Main Functions

• Under the supervision of the Senior Finance Officer the Assistant Accountant shall act as a support staff member within the finance department by performing accounting and payroll tasks for African Union.

Specific Responsibilities

 Accounting 

• Manage a complete financial function of the Mission which would include a number of different and diverse operations and inter-related accounts of the financial system; 
• Process and verify all bank payment and ensure that the accompanying supporting documents are complete and accurate; 
• Keep and update financial records of the office; 
• Maintain updated Personnel data (staff contract, leave management, up-to-date personnel information…) 
• Maintain up to date files for service providers/contracts; 
• Journalize monthly exchange difference and bank charges on the various payments effected through Foreign and Local bank accounts of the Mission; 
• Adjust the local bank balance at the end of each month; 
• Prepare bank reconciliations; 
• Draft various correspondence related to financial and administrative matters and submit to the supervisor; 
• Prepare financial statements to be audited;
• Prepare Financial Reports for consideration of the AU Headquarters and Donors as well as the certification of general expenditures; 
• Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained accurately; 
• Provide advice on financial and administrative policies, their application and related procedures for the office in accordance with the Financial Rules and Regulations, Staff Regulation and Rules and various circulars. 
• Provide advice and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the Organization’s Financial Rules and Regulations, Staff Rules as well as administrative instructions and circulars;  

Payroll 

• Maintaining payroll information by collecting, calculating, and entering data. 
• Updating payroll records by entering changes in exemptions, insurance coverage, savings deductions, and job title and department/division transfers. 
• Preparing reports by compiling summaries of earnings, taxes, deductions, leave, disability, and nontaxable wages. 
• Determining payroll liabilities by calculating employee salary, statutory and other legal deductions income and other compensation payments. 
• Resolving payroll discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information. 
• Providing payroll information by answering questions and requests. 
• Maintaining payroll operations by following policies and procedures; reporting needed changes. 
• Maintaining employee confidence and protecting payroll operations by keeping information confidential

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• A Diploma (BAC+2) in Accounting, Finance or Business Management, with a minimum of three (3) years of progressive work experience in accounts or finance.
• Or a Bachelor’s degree (BAC+3) in Accounting, Finance or Business Management, with a minimum of two (2) years of progressive work experience in accounts or finance.

Required Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to organize and motivate others and to work in a multicultural environment. 
• Excellent computer skills; Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, SAP, etc ; 
• Work experience in accounting packages is an advantage 
• Good skills in planning and organization 
• Good negotiation skills, good communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages, fluency in another AU language is an added advantage