Manager, Payroll and Payments Services

• Master’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Management Studies, Public Sector Management, Public/Business Administration, or a related discipline, OR Professional designation such as Association of Certified Chartered Accountant, (ACCA);
• Five (5) years’ experience in a Finance/Accounting environment, with at least two (2) years in a middle management capacity.

                     OR

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Management Studies, Public Sector Management, Public/Business Administration, or a related discipline, OR Association of Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) Level 2;
• Seven (7) years’ experience in a Finance/Accounting environment, with at least four (4) years in a middle management capacity.

                   OR

• NVQJ Level 5, Accounting;
• Seven (7) years’ experience in a Finance/Accounting environment (with a focus on budget analysis and management), with at least four (4) years in a middle management capacity.

Key Responsibility Areas:

1. Administrative and other Responsibilities

• Participates in the development of the Division’s Corporate/Operational Plans, Budget and Individual Work Plans;  
• Supervises the preparation of reports to Senior Director, Senior Executives and other relevant stakeholders;
• Represents Director at meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars;
• Prepares reports and project documents as required; 
• Prepares and delivers Finance & Accounts presentations as needed;
• Supports and maintains customer service principles, standards and measurements.

2. Technical/ Professional Responsibilities

• Provides technical advice and specialist assistance, relating to the general Payroll, Payments and other specialized processes/system under the NRCA & TCP to support the NEPA’s operational plans;
• Directs proper systems and procedures that accurately captures all accounts payable (including, specialized payments) in the correct period to which they relate by:
1. Reviewing the operations to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the systems and procedures by identifying, measuring and capturing all accounts payable relating to each period and to the financial year;
2. Ensuring that adequate systems are in place to adhere with statutory obligations such as the Withholding Tax and related obligations, where applicable;
3. Directs work processes that ensures GCT Withholding Tax Certificates and Monthly GCT Returns are prepared and submitted in accordance with relevant standards;
4. Directing the preparation of Monthly and Annual Statutory Returns (SO1 and SO2);
• Directs the checking of payroll datasets, statutory, non-statutory deductions vouchers and salary payment vouchers to ensure completeness and accuracy;
• Directs and reviews processes and systems that ensures emolument adjustments for NEPA staff members are complete and accurate, to facilitate payments in the required period;
• Drives mechanisms that regularly conducts systems and procedures tests to ensure that all accounts payable are being accurately captured and brought to account within the period specified;
• Directs systems and procedures to ensure that salary advances and overpayment of salaries are promptly recovered;
• Collaborates with of the Director – Finance & Accounts and Documentation, Information and Access Services functionaries, to design and maintains a records/information management systems to capture all payments as well as all routine or ingoing contractual obligations for example utilities, janitorial services and travel claims etc.;
• Develops, implements and monitors a robust quality assurance and peer reviewing process and culture that ensures segregation of duties, other Accounting Standards, FAA Act and its Instructions are being adhered to;
• Checks voraciously on a regular basis a sample of vouchers, claims checked and certified by the Payments and Payroll Sections;
• Checks and certifies payments/payroll in accordance with the FAA Act, its Regulations and its Instructions;
• Determines the priority of invoices/suppliers to be paid in consultation with the Manager – Management Accounts and the Senior Director;
• Designs, implements and monitors a system that corroborates general payments and receivables information/datasets on the accounting systems related to outstations (for example the Parish /Regional Offices);
• Examines all incoming files, correspondence, claims and vouchers submitted to the Branch and assign to the various accounting section/functionary for detail checking along with any relevant information for guidance;
• Monitors the work of the Payments and Payroll Sections by ensuring that claims and vouchers are assigned for checking and are processed within a reasonable time;
• Responds to all audit queries affecting the functions under superintendence by undertaking evidence-based research and analysis;
• Prepares and submits periodic financial reports (on the position of general payments, payroll and other specialized accounts i.e. NRCA & TCP) to the Director on the performance of the Branch or any specific issue or problem;
• Contributes to the development/review of financial and accounting policies and procedures ensuring compliance with general accounting standards and practices;
• Develops and implements covert inspection activities to identify breaches and weaknesses in the payroll and payments processes;
• Directs and reviews protocols to ensure that there is an effective system of internal controls to detect and prevent corruption, fraud, irregularities, misappropriations and any other loss of public funds;
• Devises and directs mechanisms to ensure that all monies collected are lodged to the relevant bank accounts in earliest possible time;
• Signs cheques, electronic and bank transfer letters after careful review of payment documentation;
• Assists the Director in addressing issues/concerns raised in the Internal/External/Auditor General queries and reports in respect of the Finance and Accounts Division;
• Keeps current with the latest tools/techniques in Public Financial Management (Specifically General Payments and Payroll) to determine what new solutions and implementations will meet NEPA business/operational requirements.

3. Human Resource Responsibilities

• Provides management and guidance through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching of high-performing accounting professionals who possess outstanding knowledge, experience, ethics, and integrity;
• Evaluates and monitors the performance of staff under direct supervision and implements appropriate strategies;
• Coordinates the development of individual work plans and recommends performance targets for the staff assigned;
• Participates in the recruitment and training of staff of the Division;
• Recommends succession initiatives, transfer, promotion and leave in accordance with established Human Resource Policies and Procedures;
• Identifies skills/competencies gaps and contributes to the development and succession planning for the Division to ensure adequate staff capacity;
• Monitors the performance of staff and facilitates the timely and accurate completion of the staff annual performance appraisals and other periodic reviews;
• Ensures the well - being of staff supervised;
• Effects disciplinary measures in keeping with established guidelines/practices.