DEPUTY ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL

DEPARTMENT : TREASURY

DIVISION : REVENUE

POSITION TITLE : DEPUTY ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL

GRADE : K

RESPONSIBLE TO : ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Under the supervision of the Accountant General, the incumbent is responsible for providing leadership in the Revenue Division of the Treasury Department. He/she will, in particular, engage in revenue collection, recording, banking and reporting. He/she will, in a nutshell, be responsible for public revenue management and custodianship, through the Line Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and other Government sub-divisions, as well as financial reporting. Further, he/she will ensure inspection of financial transactions by the Line Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and other Government sub-divisions with a view to continuously improve the financial systems and systems of internal control.

MAIN DUTIES

1) To oversee and monitor revenue collection, recording, reconciliation, banking, bank reconciliation and reporting by the Line Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and other Government sub-divisions, taking cognisance of application of the law, such as the Public Financial Management and Accountability Act 2011, related regulations and policies, and the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP), especially the International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

1.1 Identify opportunities for improving service delivery with regard to public revenue management, safe custodianship and reporting by the Ministries, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions.
1.2 Ensure presence of efficient and effective public revenue collection, recording, reconciliation, banking, safe custodianship and reporting by the Ministries, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions.
1.3 Review and develop appropriate revenue management and safe custodianship policies and procedures.

1.4 Review developments regarding revenue management and safe custodianship in other jurisdictions and draw lessons for Lesotho.

1.5 Establish guidelines for proper safekeeping of public money and records.

1.6 Provide guidance to the Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and other Government sub-divisions on implementation of the Public Financial Management and Accountability Act 2011, Treasury Regulations, other related laws, policies, systems and procedures.

1.7 Ensure application the GAAP, especially the IPSAS, in financial reporting by the Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and other Government sub-divisions.

2) To oversee collection and banking of revenue

2.1 Establish and ensure functioning of proper systems for collection, recording, reconciliation, banking and reporting of revenue as well as preparation of monthly bank reconciliation statements by the Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions.

2.2 Establish proper financial systems and systems of internal control for receipt of trust monies and grants payable by Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions.

2.3 Set tolerances for the processing of revenue transactions on the IFMIS.

2.4 Review periodic financial reports, analyse and interpret variances as well as suggesting appropriate action regarding actual revenue collection against approved revenue budget.

2.5 Establish proper systems of internal controls to provide assurance that public money is being collected, receipted and safeguarded.

2.6 Monitor adherence to the end-of-month procedures by Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions and suggest appropriate remedial action regarding deviations.

2.7 Regularly report to the Accountant-General on revenue management as a whole.

3) To manage the revenue cycle and safeguarding of public money and financial records.

3.1 Assist the Line Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and other Government sub-divisions in identifying areas for improvement regarding revenue management.

3.2 Liaise with the Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions to ensure proper running of revenue operations and safeguarding of public money and records.

3.3 Oversee periodic transfer of funds from the Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions bank accounts to Main Revenue Account and then to the Consolidated Fund Account at the Central Bank of Lesotho.

3.4 Oversee periodic posting of revenue collections by districts agencies and heads of programmes to the Ministries’ Ledgers.

4) To oversee the reconciliation of Government Bank Accounts

4.1 Develop guidelines for reconciliation of the government bank accounts under the custody of and managed by Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions.

4.2 Review revenue reconciliation reports and bank reconciliation statements to ensure that they are performed timely and correctly.

4.3 Review and certify reconciliation certificates.

5) To lead and manage the Revenue Division

5.1 Provide professional and technical leadership to develop the Revenue Division.

5.2 Determine objectives and approves work plans for the Revenue Division.

5.3 Prepares the annual budgets for achieving the Divisional objectives.

5.4 Review revenue operations for the Division and develop improved methods and systems to promote efficiency and quality services.

5.5 Assess human resource requirements necessary to staff the Division and advise the Accountant General as appropriate.

5.6 Recommend appointments, promotions, transfers, training and development of staff to the Accountant General’s office.

5.7 Prepare divisional training plan and submit to the Accountant-General for approval.

5.8 Appraise immediate subordinate staff to enhance individual performance and development.

5.9 Regularly report to the Accountant-General on the performance of the Division.

5.10 Facilitate continuous professional development for the staff in the Revenue Division in order to establish and maintain a high level of performance and understanding of the current issues, especially in revenue management.

6) To inspect all the financial transactions and ensure improvement and functioning of effective systems of internal controls

6.1 Supervise the Inspectorate Unit of the Division and ensure its efficient operation.
6.2 Ensure regular conduct of inspection of the financial transactions and operations by the Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions and report thereon, as well as making appropriate suggestions, to the Accountant General.

6.3 Regularly review and inspect effective operation of the systems of internal controls and accounting systems of the Ministries, Sub-Accountancies, Agencies and all other Government sub-divisions and suggest improvements thereon to the Accountant General.

7) To produce Financial Reports

7.1 Monitor adherence to end of month procedures and take appropriate action.

7.2 Facilitate production of budget execution reports.

7.3 Working together with the Deputy Accountant General-Expenditure, consolidate the Public Accounts monthly, quarterly and annually for submission to the Accountant-General.

7.4 Assemble a statement of losses and write-offs to accompany the Public Accounts.

7.5 Working together with the Deputy Accountant General-Expenditure, facilitate audit of the Public Accounts by the Auditor General.

7.6 Ensure that the audit management letter issues raised by the Office of the Auditor General are effectively attended to.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education and Training

• Chartered Accountant or equivalent recognised senior professional accounting education with (6) years relevant experience, five (5yrs) of which must be at senior management level in accounting/finance.
OR
• Master of Commerce in Accounting or equivalent Masters’ Degree with a major in accounting and Finance, together with eight (8) years relevant working experience, seven (7yrs) of which must be at senior management level inan accounting/finance environment.

• Membership of a recognized professional accounting body is a must.

Work experience
• In-depth and extensive experience in accounting and finance.
• Experience in change processes in finance and accounting environment.
• Experience in team building and management.
• Experience in public sector accounting is an added advantage.

Technical competencies:
• Thorough knowledge of and experience in preparation and interpretation of financial statements.
• Good experience in treasury and financial risk management.
• Strong financial orientation and ability to develop solid working relationships with end users.
• Strong change management orientation and experience.
• Proven people management skills and leadership.
• Extensive knowledge of preparation for audit and handling of audit process.
• Knowledge of Public Service Rules and Regulations is an added advantage.
• Familiarity with the Financial Management and Accountability Act, 2011, Procurement Regulations and Treasury Regulations is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of the GAAP, especially the IPSAS or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), is a must.
• Familiarity with the IFMIS operations is an added advantage.
• Proactivity and ability to work independently on issues affecting a team and organization.

Personal Competencies
• Ability to workwith colleagues from varying backgrounds.
• Strong analytical,problem solving and conceptual skills.
• Solution and results focused.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver results within strict deadlines.
• Attention to details and time conscious.

Other competencies
Applicants must pass an assessment test.

Interested?
Applications on relevant forms,GP 103 for applicants outside the Public Service/ Government and GP 104 for serving officers, accompanied by certified copies of educational certificates, transcripts as well as curriculum vitae, should be addressed to:
Human Resources Manager
Treasury Department
Ministry of Finance
2nd Floor, Finance House
P.O Box 395 Maseru
OR
Hand delivered to:
Human Resources Manager, Office No. 2001 on secondFloor, Finance House, on or before 17th May 2014
Khosi Letsie (Mr)
Principal Secretary (a.i)