Tonga: Accountant

Finance employees receive, account for, monitor, and design internal controls to safeguard sacred funds (donated confidentially in obedience to God's commandments) for the Church's religious mission under the direction of senior ecclesiastical leaders. This position is an entry level professional accounting position in which the incumbent applies accounting principles in working with specialized accounting records and reports and is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day maintenance of a complete and accurate general ledger and in preparing basic financial reports.

Success is typically measured by the degree to which accuracy is demonstrated in maintaining assigned ledgers, records, accounts, etc. Schedules and deadlines are expected to be met, and proficiency is demonstrated on required accounting systems. An Area Accountant performs accounting functions in a variety of different settings throughout the Church.

• Initiate general ledger and related sub-ledgers file maintenance so that financial statement presentations will be accurate and meaningful.

• Reconcile accounts, review reconciliations, and make sure that all outstanding items are properly cleared.

• Prepare journal entries and other adjustments to correct errors.

• Review expenditures against budget and make necessary reconciliations, investigations, and correcting entries.

• Assist in preparing various financial estimates and expense reports if required.

• Review & Process invoices and other related payables submitted for payment in accordance with internal policies.

• Assist with receiving  and recording of tuition and other receivables and documenting according to process.

• Assist with Petty Cash recording and reconciliation as required

• Providing training and guidance to wider workforce as required.

• Ensure compliance with internal controls.

• Complete other tasks and projects as assigned.

• Any decision outside of well-defined guidelines and policies are referred to the supervisor or to a more senior level accountant.

• Responsibilities may also include: Calculation for tax payments and government reports. Monitor bank balance and forecast cash need. Assist in banking, taxation and other government filings.  Maintain records (physical and digital) and ledgers according to company and statutory requirements.  Assist with local unit operations as directed by the supervisor.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field

• Post graduate professional accounting working experience preferred but not required

• A knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.

• Working knowledge and understanding of fundamental accounting and bookkeeping principles, methods, and office procedures.

• Demonstrated proficiency with detail work.

• Ability to work in teams to communicate and work together effectively on joint projects.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively use a personal computer operating in a network environment with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and automated accounting and reporting software.

• Problem solving skills.

• Demonstrate a well-grounded knowledge of financial and accounting theory.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and Tongan 

For queries, please contact the Pacific Area Talent Acquisition Team: pacificarearecruitment@ChurchofJesusChrist.org