Job Title: Accountant

Department: Finance

Reports To (Function): Country Director

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Position summary

The accountant ensures accurate, timely, and compliant financial accounting for ForAfrika Rwanda. The role maintains robust internal controls, executes end?to?end transaction processing in the organization ERP, manages cash and bank operations, reconciles balance?sheet accounts, supports budgeting and cash?flow forecasting, and enables on?time statutory, donor, and audit deliverables. Working closely with the Country Director, Head of Shared Services, and Programs teams, the accountant upholds financial integrity that enables high?quality program delivery across ECD/Education, WASH, Food Security & Livelihoods, Economic Empowerment (incl. VSLAs), and Health & Nutrition.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1) Cash & Bank Management

• Maintain daily cash and bank balances; prepare weekly cash forecasts and monthly rolling cash?flow reports aligned to grant burn?rates and procurement plans.
• Initiate and upload vendor/staff payments on banking platforms; ensure proper approvals per the Delegation/Limit of Authority (LOA) and segregation of duties.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations for all accounts (local and USD) and promptly resolve outstanding items.
• Coordinate field fund transfers and liquidations; review advance retirements and supporting documentation for completeness and compliance.

2) Transaction Processing & General Ledger

• Review source documents for completeness, accuracy, donor coding, COA alignment, and correct funding source before posting.
• Prepare and post journals (accruals, prepayments, reallocations, FX revaluations) ensuring accurate period cut?off.
• Maintain orderly, secure, and auditable records (digital and hard copy) with systematic filing and retrieval.
• Support month?end close and ensure on?time P&L, balance sheet, and trial balance availability.

3) Accounts Payable, Receivable & Intercompany

• Process supplier invoices in line with contracts/POs/GRNs; track payment terms and maintain vendor ledgers; resolve queries with Procurement and requestors.
• Manage staff/partner advances and receivables; issue monthly statements and follow?up on overdue balances.
• Prepare debtor invoices/credit notes as required; record receipts and perform monthly AR reconciliations.
• Reconcile intercompany transactions and balances monthly and clear differences promptly.

4) Balance Sheet & Fixed Assets

• Prepare monthly reconciliations for all balance?sheet accounts (banks, cash, advances, prepayments, payables, taxes, intercompany, fixed assets).
• Maintain the Fixed Asset Register: additions, disposals, tagging, depreciation, and periodic physical verifications; reconcile FAR to the GL monthly.

5) Statutory & Regulatory Compliance (Rwanda)

• Prepare and submit statutory returns accurately and on time (e.g., PAYE, Withholding, VAT as applicable) and social security contributions (RSSB); maintain evidence of filings and payments.
• Stay current with RRA and other regulatory updates; escalate compliance risks to the CD and Head of Shared Services with recommended actions.

6) Budgeting, Reporting & Donor Compliance

• Support annual and grant budgeting, re?budgeting, and forecasts; upload approved budgets to the accounting system and maintain budget structures.
• Produce monthly Budget vs. Actual (BvA) reports; analyse variances with Programs and Finance leadership; recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure donor?compliant documentation, cost allocations, visibility rules, and reporting schedules; prepare donor financial reports and supporting schedules for review/approval.

7) Internal Controls, Procurement Interface & Audit

• Enforce the Field Financial Manual (FFM), finance SOPs, and internal control checklists; ensure appropriate segregation of duties and approval workflows.
• Partner with Procurement/Logistics to align on procurement plans, vendor due diligence, three?way match, and asset/inventory controls.
• Support internal and external audits: prepare audit files, respond to queries, and implement management action plans; target zero high?risk findings.
• Promote fraud?awareness and safeguarding of financial assets; promptly report suspected irregularities per policy.

8) Collaboration & Capacity Strengthening

• Provide courteous, timely finance support to Programs, MEAL, HR, and Operations; train requestors on coding, documentation, and compliance.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Country Director; Head of Shared Services/Finance; Procurement & Logistics; HR/Administration; Program Managers; MEAL; Grants/Partnerships; Communications.
• External: Banks; suppliers; auditors; Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA); RSSB; implementing partners; donors (as delegated).

Success Measures (indicative KPIs)

Month?end close completed within agreed timeline (e.g., ≤5 working days) with complete reconciliations for all Balance Sheet accounts.

• ≥98% on?time statutory filings and payments (RRA, RSSB); zero penalties/fines.
• ≥95% supplier invoices paid within terms; average AP cycle time tracked and improving.
• Accurate cash?flow forecasts (variance ≤10% vs. actual); no stock?outs of operating cash.
• Donor financial reports submitted on time with zero significant audit findings.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Professional certification (part?qualified or finalist CPA/ACCA/CIMA).
• 4–6+ years’ progressive accounting experience, preferably in an INGO/multi?donor environment.
• Proficiency in an automated accounting system (GL, AP, AR, Fixed Assets, Budgeting) and advanced Excel (lookups, pivot tables).
• Strong grasp of GAAP/IFRS, internal controls, and month?end close discipline.
• Demonstrated experience with statutory compliance in Rwanda (RRA taxes, RSSB).
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation, and service orientation; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda; French an advantage.

Desirable

• Experience supporting program teams with BvA analysis and donor reporting.
• Familiarity with procurement processes, inventory controls, and partner sub?grant financial management.
• Experience and working knowledge of SAGE ERP is an advantage.

Behavioural Competencies

• Integrity and confidentiality; accountability; problem?solving; collaboration; clear communication; continuous improvement mindset.

Safeguarding, PSEA & Equal Opportunity

ForAfrika is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEA). All staff must adhere to ForAfrika’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding, Anti?Fraud, and Whistle?blowing Policies. Background checks may be required as permitted by law. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities.

Limits of Authority

As per ForAfrika Rwanda Delegation/Limit of Authority (LOA) and finance policies.

How to apply

Qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to apply for this position HERE on or before 10th October 2025. Please note that due to the large volume of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us one month after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.

Interested candidates should submit:

• Detailed cover letter addressing key qualifications and motivation for the role
• Comprehensive CV highlighting relevant experience
• Contact information for three professional references
• Salary expectations and availability date