Programme Accountant

Agency

Aga Khan Foundation

Region

Eastern Africa

The requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience:
Minimum Standard
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Commerce or related field
Professional Qualification: CPA, ACCA, CIMA (Completed or Part-qualified preferred)
Experience: Minimum 5 years in programme/project accounting
Sector Experience: NGO or donor-funded development programmes
Travel: Willingness to travel frequently within Uganda
Computer Skills: Advanced MS Excel and accounting software
Languages: Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of local languages is an added advantage

Programme Values
All MECP staff are expected to embody the following values in their work:

• Child-centered practice is oriented toward the well-being, development, and dignity of young children.
• Community ownership: communities are not recipients but active partners who shape and sustain the programme.
• Integrity: honesty, transparency, and accountability in all professional conduct.
• Continuous learning: Commitment to improving through evidence, reflection, and professional development.
• Pluralism: The active choice to engage with differences constructively turning diversity into a source of collective strength and shared prosperity

Child Safeguarding
The Programme Accountant is required to comply with the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme Uganda Child Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and all safeguarding procedures. The post holder must ensure that financial processes protect programme resources intended for children and contribute to a safe environment for all children and vulnerable persons.

The position

Job Purpose
The role will be responsible for providing financial management support to all MECPU activities by ensuring proper budgeting, financial planning, accounting, reporting, grant compliance, internal controls. The position supports effective utilization of donor resources while ensuring compliance with donor regulations, statutory requirements, and organizational financial policies.

The role reports to the Programme Director. Responsibilities will include but not limited to;
Financial Management

• Prepare programme budgets in collaboration with programme managers.
• Monitor budget implementation and expenditure against approved work plans.
• Prepare periodic budget variance analyses and recommend corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate accounting records for all programme transactions.
• Ensure timely recording of financial transactions in the accounting system.
• Maintain proper financial documentation and filing systems.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations.
• Monitor cash flow requirements for programme implementation.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare quarterly and monthly financial reports.
• Prepare donor financial reports according to grant agreements.
• Prepare annual financial statements.
• Support management in interpreting financial information for decision-making.
• Generate expenditure reports by project, donor, activity and budget line.

Budgeting and Planning

• Participate in annual budgeting exercises.
• Develop project budgets during proposal development.
• Review programme budgets for compliance.
• Prepare cash forecasts.
• Support programme teams during budget revisions.
• Track budget utilization throughout project implementation.

Grant Management

• Ensure compliance with donor financial guidelines.
• Monitor grant expenditure against approved budgets.
• Verify eligibility of programme costs.
• Prepare donor financial documentation.
• Maintain grant financial records.
• Support grant close-out processes.
• Participate in donor financial audits.

Internal Controls and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with organizational financial policies, procurement and finance procedures.
• Maintain effective internal financial controls.
• Verify supporting documents before payment.
• Ensure proper authorization of expenditures.
• Conduct periodic financial spot checks.
• Support implementation of audit recommendations.

Payments and Treasury Management

• Process supplier payments, staff advances & accountabilities.
• Verify payment requests before processing.
• Prepare payment vouchers.
• Monitor outstanding staff advances & payment of suppliers.

Procurement Support

• Verify availability of funds before procurement.
• Participate in procurement evaluations.
• Confirm financial compliance of procurement documentation.
• Ensure procurement expenditures comply with approved budgets.
• Maintain financial procurement records.

Asset Management

• Maintain programme asset registers.
• Support periodic asset verification & annual asset counts.
• Ensure proper capitalization of assets.
• Monitor movement of programme assets.

Audit Support

• Prepare schedules required during audits.
• Respond to audit queries.
• Maintain audit-ready financial documentation.
• Coordinate financial information for auditors.
• Implement audit recommendations.

Statutory Compliance

• Ensure timely statutory deductions and remittances.
• Support tax compliance.
• Prepare financial records required by regulatory authorities.
• Ensure compliance with URA requirements.
• Support annual statutory reporting.

Programme Support

• Participate in programme planning & review meetings.
• Support financial capacity building of programme staff.
• Train staff on financial accountability procedures.
• Support financial monitoring visits to programme areas.
• Participate in partner financial assessments.

Risk Management

• Identify financial risks in programme implementation.
• Recommend mitigation measures.
• Monitor financial risks.
• Report suspected fraud or financial irregularities.
• Promote value-for-money principles.