Head of Finance and Accounts

Location: Global Headquarters / Kampala, Uganda

Department: Finance & Accounts

Job Grade: WTM-3- (Executive Level)

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director / Board of Trustees (BoT)

Direct Reports: Finance Manager, Senior Accountant, Grants & Compliance Officer, Treasury & Investment Officer, Internal Auditor (Dotted Line)

Job Purpose

The Head of Finance and Accounts is responsible for the strategic direction, macro-financial management, and systemic control of all financial, treasury, and accounting operations across the institution’s global network. 

Key Job Duties and Responsibilities (Balanced Scorecard)

Key Result Area (KRA) Key Roles and Responsibilities % Time

1. Financial Perspective (Capital Efficiency, Asset Management & Financial Sustainability) • Provide strategic leadership to all finance and accounting functions across the institution.

• Grow and safeguard institutional reserves and endowment funds.

• Develop financial models, investment appraisals, pricing strategies and capital allocation frameworks.

• Prepare financial forecasts, cash flow projections and scenario analyses for Executive Management and the Board.

• Recommend financial benchmarks for measuring institutional performance.

• Calculate and monitor financial and operating performance metrics.

• Provide financial analysis for capital investments, pricing decisions and contract negotiations.

• Drive financial sustainability and profitability across all ministry business entities. 25%

2. Stakeholder, Governance & Resource Mobilization

• Provide financial leadership and advice to the Executive Director, Board of Trustees and Finance Committee.

• Oversee grants financial management and donor compliance.

• Support fundraising initiatives through financial modelling and proposal budgeting.

• Coordinate preparation of Board financial reports and annual corporate reports.

• Ensure compliance with donor agreements and grant conditions.

• Support project reporting, financial reconciliations and compliance monitoring.

• Coordinate financial reporting for strategic partnerships and global operations.

• Present financial performance reports during Board meetings. 20%

3. Internal Business Processes (Financial Operations, Systems, Controls & Compliance)

• Maintain complete accounting records and financial management systems.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements.

• Supervise General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Fixed Assets and Bank Reconciliations.

• Coordinate annual budgeting, forecasting and budget monitoring.

• Monitor budget variances and recommend corrective actions.

• Maintain ERP/Accounting systems (QuickBooks, Tally, SAP, Oracle or Intacct).

• Ensure all financial transactions comply with IFRS, GAAP and institutional policies.

• Strengthen internal controls, procurement controls and fraud prevention systems.

• Coordinate internal and external audits.

• Prepare audit schedules and audited financial statements.

• Oversee statutory compliance including PAYE, VAT, NSSF, Income Tax and all regulatory filings.

• Maintain orderly accounting filing systems and document retention.

• Develop and maintain finance policies, accounting manuals and SOPs.

• Ensure timely processing of payroll and financial transactions.

• Recommend continuous process improvements and automation initiatives. 40%

4. Learning & Growth (Leadership, People Development & Continuous Improvement) • Provide leadership and supervision to the Finance and Accounts Department.

• Coach, mentor and develop finance staff through Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

• Support onboarding of finance and payroll staff in collaboration with HR.

• Conduct tax, compliance and financial policy awareness training.

• Build staff capacity on ERP systems and financial reporting tools.

• Promote ethical financial management and accountability culture.

• Review and update accounting, procurement, audit and fixed asset policies.

• Drive innovation and continuous improvement within finance operations.

• Foster teamwork, integrity and performance excellence across the department. 15%

Job Specifications

Education, Knowledge and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration.

CPA or ACCA (active membership) is mandatory.

8–10 years' progressive finance experience with at least 5 years in executive leadership.

Advanced ERP knowledge (SAP, Oracle, Intacct, QuickBooks Enterprise, Tally Prime).