Background

The Atomic Energy Council (AEC) is a government body established by the Atomic Energy Act Cap. 154 laws of Uganda to regulate peaceful applications of Atomic Energy in the Country and ensure the protection and safety of individuals, society and the environment from the dangers of ionizing radiation.

Job Purpose

To maintain accurate, complete and timely financial records; process and account for authorised financial transactions; prepare financial statements and management reports; and support sound financial management, internal controls, statutory compliance and accountability in accordance with applicable public financial management laws, regulations and accounting standards.

Responsibilities

The Accountant shall:

• Maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date accounting records in accordance with approved financial procedures and applicable accounting standards.
• Examine payment requests and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, proper authorisation and compliance with approved budgets and financial procedures.
• Prepare payment vouchers and process duly authorised payments to suppliers, employees, contractors and other approved beneficiaries.
• Record receipts, revenue and other financial inflows, and ensure that they are properly accounted for and remitted or banked in accordance with applicable government financial requirements.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations, cashbook reconciliations, general ledger reconciliations and other relevant accounting schedules.
• Prepare periodic financial reports, trial balances, expenditure statements and supporting schedules for management review and statutory reporting.
• Contribute to the preparation of annual financial statements in accordance with applicable public sector accounting standards and reporting requirements.
• Monitor expenditure against approved budgets and commitments, identify variances and report significant deviations to the supervisor.
• Maintain accurate records of accounts payable, accounts receivable, advances, outstanding obligations and other financial balances.
• Support the preparation, verification and reconciliation of payroll and related staff financial obligations.
• Prepare or support the timely submission of applicable tax returns, statutory deductions and other mandatory financial remittances.
• Maintain proper custody, filing and retrieval of financial records, including payment vouchers, invoices, receipts, bank statements and accounting reports.
• Maintain and reconcile accounting records relating to fixed assets, inventory and other institutional resources, in coordination with the responsible asset management officers.
• Provide financial records, supporting schedules and explanations required for internal audits, external audits and other authorised financial reviews.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of corrective actions arising from financial audits and management reviews.
• Provide reliable financial information to support institutional budgeting, planning, resource allocation and management decision-making.
• Support the improvement of financial management systems, internal controls and accounting procedures.
• Perform any other lawful duties assigned by the supervisor that are consistent with the purpose and responsibilities of the position.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• At least a Second Class Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce (Accounting option), Business Administration (Accounting or Finance option), or a closely related discipline from a recognised university or institution.
• A recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), or an equivalent recognised professional accountancy qualification.
• Current membership in good standing with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), as applicable under Uganda's professional accountancy requirements.

Additional Advantage

A master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics or a closely related discipline from a recognised institution.

Work Experience

At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in accounting, financial reporting, financial management or public sector financial operations.

Demonstrated experience in financial reconciliations, preparation of financial reports, budget monitoring and compliance with statutory financial requirements.

Experience in public sector accounting and government financial management systems shall be an added advantage.

Technical Competencies

The successful candidate must demonstrate competence in:

• Public sector accounting and financial management principles.
• Uganda's public financial management legislation, regulations and applicable Treasury instructions.
• International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and other accounting standards applicable to AEC.
• Financial reporting, preparation of accounting schedules and financial statement reconciliation.
• Budget execution, expenditure monitoring and variance analysis.
• Internal financial controls, financial risk management and prevention of fraud and financial irregularities.
• Bank, cashbook, supplier, payroll and general ledger reconciliations.
• Taxation, statutory deductions and applicable financial reporting obligations.
• Computerised accounting systems, including relevant government financial management systems and enterprise accounting software.
• Advanced spreadsheet applications, financial data analysis and electronic records management.

Behavioural and Professional Competencies

• Integrity, confidentiality and professional ethics.
• Accuracy, attention to detail and accountability.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Financial reporting and communication skills.
• Effective time management and organisation.
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to meet financial reporting deadlines.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Indicative Performance Expectations

The Accountant's performance shall be assessed against agreed annual targets, including:

• Timely preparation of monthly and periodic financial reports.
• Completion of monthly bank and general ledger reconciliations within prescribed deadlines.
• Accuracy and completeness of accounting records and supporting documentation.
• Timely processing of properly authorised payments.
• Compliance with applicable financial reporting, taxation and statutory remittance requirements.
• Timely resolution of reconciliation differences and outstanding accounting items.
• Timely implementation of assigned financial audit recommendations.
• Maintenance of accurate and up-to-date financial asset records.

• Maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date accounting records in accordance with approved financial procedures and applicable accounting standards.
• Examine payment requests and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, proper authorisation and compliance with approved budgets and financial procedures.
• Prepare payment vouchers and process duly authorised payments to suppliers, employees, contractors and other approved beneficiaries.
• Record receipts, revenue and other financial inflows, and ensure that they are properly accounted for and remitted or banked in accordance with applicable government financial requirements.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations, cashbook reconciliations, general ledger reconciliations and other relevant accounting schedules.
• Prepare periodic financial reports, trial balances, expenditure statements and supporting schedules for management review and statutory reporting.
• Contribute to the preparation of annual financial statements in accordance with applicable public sector accounting standards and reporting requirements.
• Monitor expenditure against approved budgets and commitments, identify variances and report significant deviations to the supervisor.
• Maintain accurate records of accounts payable, accounts receivable, advances, outstanding obligations and other financial balances.
• Support the preparation, verification and reconciliation of payroll and related staff financial obligations.
• Prepare or support the timely submission of applicable tax returns, statutory deductions and other mandatory financial remittances.
• Maintain proper custody, filing and retrieval of financial records, including payment vouchers, invoices, receipts, bank statements and accounting reports.
• Maintain and reconcile accounting records relating to fixed assets, inventory and other institutional resources, in coordination with the responsible asset management officers.
• Provide financial records, supporting schedules and explanations required for internal audits, external audits and other authorised financial reviews.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of corrective actions arising from financial audits and management reviews.
• Provide reliable financial information to support institutional budgeting, planning, resource allocation and management decision-making.
• Support the improvement of financial management systems, internal controls and accounting procedures.
• Perform any other lawful duties assigned by the supervisor that are consistent with the purpose and responsibilities of the position.

• Public sector accounting and financial management principles.
• Uganda's public financial management legislation, regulations and applicable Treasury instructions.
• International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and other accounting standards applicable to AEC.
• Financial reporting, preparation of accounting schedules and financial statement reconciliation.
• Budget execution, expenditure monitoring and variance analysis.
• Internal financial controls, financial risk management and prevention of fraud and financial irregularities.
• Bank, cashbook, supplier, payroll and general ledger reconciliations.
• Taxation, statutory deductions and applicable financial reporting obligations.
• Computerised accounting systems, including relevant government financial management systems and enterprise accounting software.
• Advanced spreadsheet applications, financial data analysis and electronic records management.
• Integrity, confidentiality and professional ethics.
• Accuracy, attention to detail and accountability.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Financial reporting and communication skills.
• Effective time management and organisation.
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to meet financial reporting deadlines.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

• At least a Second Class Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce (Accounting option), Business Administration (Accounting or Finance option), or a closely related discipline from a recognised university or institution.
• A recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), or an equivalent recognised professional accountancy qualification.
• Current membership in good standing with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), as applicable under Uganda's professional accountancy requirements.
• A master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics or a closely related discipline from a recognised institution.