ATaL
Athena Tax and Legal Advisory
Tax, Accounting and Audit officer at Athena Tax and Legal Advisory
KenyaFull TimeMid-Senior Level
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Athena Tax and Legal Advisory
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Job Purpose
The Tax, Accounting & Audit Officer will be responsible for providing accurate, timely, and professional accounting, taxation, and audit support to both the organization and its clients.
The position will involve preparing and reviewing accounting records, assisting clients with tax compliance and tax-related matters, supporting audits, preparing financial reports, and providing practical solutions to accounting and taxation issues.
The officer will work closely with clients to understand their financial and tax requirements, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and provide high-quality accounting, tax, and audit services.
Key Responsibilities
Client Accounting Services
Maintain and prepare accounting records for assigned clients.
Post and review accounting transactions, journals, accruals, prepayments, and adjustments.
Prepare bank, supplier, customer, payroll, and general ledger reconciliations.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for clients.
Assist clients with bookkeeping and maintenance of proper accounting records.
Review clients' financial records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with applicable accounting standards.
Assist clients with accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and general ledger activities.
Assist in preparation of management accounts and financial statements.
Identify accounting errors and recommend appropriate corrections.
Provide accounting guidance and support to clients when required.
Tax Compliance and Advisory – Clients
Assist clients with preparation and submission of statutory tax returns within prescribed deadlines.
Prepare and review VAT, PAYE, withholding tax, income tax, and other applicable tax computations and returns.
Assist clients with tax registrations, tax compliance matters, and general tax administration.
Review client tax ledgers and reconcile tax balances.
Identify tax compliance issues and advise clients on corrective actions.
Assist clients in responding to tax authority queries, notices, assessments, and requests for information.
Assist with tax audits and tax investigations involving clients.
Research applicable tax legislation and provide practical tax guidance to clients.
Monitor changes in tax laws and regulations and communicate relevant changes to clients.
Assist in identifying legitimate tax planning and tax efficiency opportunities for clients.
Maintain proper tax working papers and supporting documentation for all client engagements.
Ensure client tax filings and payments are accurate and submitted within statutory deadlines.
Tax and Accounting Advisory
Respond to client queries relating to accounting and taxation matters.
Research technical accounting and tax issues and prepare appropriate recommendations.
Assist clients with tax and accounting implications of business transactions.
Review contracts, invoices, transactions, and other documents from a tax and accounting perspective where required.
Assist clients in resolving accounting and tax discrepancies.
Prepare tax computations, schedules, reconciliations, and advisory reports.
Escalate complex or high-risk tax matters to the Tax Manager or senior management.
Keep up to date with changes in tax legislation, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
Audit and Assurance Support
Assist with internal and external audit assignments for clients.
Prepare audit working papers and supporting schedules.
Review financial records and supporting documents as part of audit assignments.
Perform substantive testing and selected internal control procedures under supervision.
Assist in identifying accounting, tax, and control weaknesses.
Prepare audit schedules and respond to audit queries.
Assist in drafting audit findings and recommendations.
Follow up on outstanding audit information and client responses.
Ensure audit documentation is complete, accurate, and properly filed.
Assist senior team members during client audit and assurance engagements.
Internal Accounting and Tax Responsibilities
Maintain accurate accounting records for the organization.
Prepare internal financial reports and reconciliations.
Assist with the organization's tax compliance and statutory filings.
Monitor and reconcile the organization's tax accounts.
Assist with budgeting, cash-flow monitoring, and financial analysis.
Support month-end and year-end financial closing processes.
Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and procedures.
Client Relationship Management
Maintain professional and productive relationships with assigned clients.
Communicate clearly with clients regarding deadlines, information requirements, tax obligations, and accounting matters.
Follow up with clients for required financial and tax documentation.
Ensure client assignments are completed accurately and within agreed timelines.
Identify client needs and communicate potential additional accounting, tax, or advisory requirements to management.
Maintain confidentiality of client financial and business information.
Handle client queries professionally and escalate complex matters when necessary.
Compliance, Risk and Quality Control
Ensure work complies with applicable tax laws, accounting standards, professional requirements, and internal procedures.
Maintain proper working papers and supporting documentation for all assignments.
Review work for accuracy before submission to clients or relevant authorities.
Identify potential compliance risks and escalate them promptly.
Assist in maintaining high-quality standards across all client engagements.
Ensure confidential client information is securely handled.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Timely submission of client tax returns and statutory obligations.
Accuracy of tax computations and accounting records.
Timely completion of client accounting assignments.
Accuracy and quality of financial reports.
Timely completion of audit assignments.
Number of errors or corrections required in submitted work.
Timely resolution of client tax and accounting queries.
Client satisfaction and quality of service.
Proper maintenance of client working papers and documentation.
Compliance with internal deadlines and professional standards.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related field.
CPA, ACCA, or equivalent professional qualification is preferred.
Membership in a relevant professional accounting body is an advantage.
Additional training in taxation, audit, or financial reporting is an advantage.
Experience
2–5 years of relevant experience in accounting, taxation, audit, or professional services.
Experience working with multiple clients is highly desirable.
Practical experience in tax compliance and accounting.
Experience preparing financial statements and management accounts.
Experience supporting tax audits, investigations, or tax authority queries is an advantage.
Experience using accounting software and Microsoft Excel.
Technical Skills
Good knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting.
Good understanding of tax compliance and tax administration.
Knowledge of audit procedures and internal controls.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
Ability to work with accounting and ERP systems.
Strong financial analysis and reconciliation skills.
Ability to research and interpret tax and accounting requirements.
Strong report-writing and documentation skills.
Key Competencies
High level of integrity and professionalism.
Strong attention to detail.
Analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple client assignments simultaneously.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Client-focused approach.
Ability to work independently and within a team.
Ability to meet strict statutory and client deadlines.
Commitment to confidentiality.
Willingness to continuously learn and keep up with changes in tax and accounting requirements.