Position Objective

This job holder has responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the relevant Cognita Safeguarding; Child Protection Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the role, the job holder identifies any instance that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm either at school or at home, s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Child Protection Officer/Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head or indeed to the Regional CEO so that a referral can be made accordingly to the relevant third party services.

The Finance Manager and Chief Accountant is responsible for supervising and directing all the financial & accounting operations to ensure financial operations of the school run smoothly, continuously, and legally, control operating costs and strive to achieve the internal financial targets set for the school.

Responsibilities

The Finance Manager and Chief Accountant performs a full range of finance and accounting duties, including but not limited to:

1. Supervise and direct the financial operations of the school in accordance with the practices,

policies, and procedures laid down by the Vietnamese law and the Board of Management, and

administered by the Country Head of Finance

2. Be familiar with the school’s computerized accounting and school systems to ensure the provision of timely and accurate financial information.

3. Supervise and exercise control over the collection of revenue including fees and disbursement of

the funds in the day-to-day operations of the school.

4. Assume responsibility for safe safekeeping of all cash and make deposits on a regular basis.

5. Prepare monthly financial and management reporting packages, and cash flow statements and

review them with the Headmaster/Managing Director /the Country Head of Finance. Provide

reconciliation and financial analysis on submitted numbers to the Country Head of Finance.

6. Prepare the Annual Budget of the school with the Headmaster/Managing Director /the Country

Head of Finance.

7. Prepare any special/ad hoc management reports required by Headmaster/Managing Director /the Country Head of Finance

8. Prepare annual financial and taxation statements and provide the auditors/tax officers with the

information required for the statutory and group audit, tax review, and tax inspection.

9. Attend to all matters relating to tax payable and performance of state obligations to the government

10. Attend meetings with counterparties including but not limited to parents, banks, authorities, and other departments/ELT that are relevant to finance/accounting

11. Maintain an asset registry and inventory of all school property and recommend the sale of obsolete items to the Headmaster/Managing Director /the Country Head of Finance.

12. Support other departments in tracking financial figures, budget tracking, and controlling in a timely manner.

13. Review and where necessary make improvements to the systems, procedures, policies, and

financial controls in the school

14. Assist Headmaster/Managing Director/the Country Head of Finance in the management of the

OPEX and CAPEX budgets.

15. Manage, engage, and develop accounting team members

16. Supervise purchasing and uniform operation.

17. Prepare the after-school activities pricing and summer camp pricing.

18. Carry out any other duties assigned by the Headmaster/Managing Director /the Country Head of Finance.

Position Requirements

Knowledge (acquired information necessary to do the job)

▪ Expertise in advanced finance practices (compiling, interpreting, and/or providing consultation on

financial-related considerations for management analysis and decision-making).

▪ Finance & Accounting Tax Management

▪ Strong communication skills especially in English.

Skills (acquired measurable behaviors)

▪ Strong financial and analytical skills

▪ Leadership skills and must be critical thinking/forward thinking and results oriented.

▪ Computer literate with excellent Excel and strong accounting software skills.

▪ Proactive, interested in and able to find solutions, able to work within a team.

▪ Hands-on attitude towards work, flexible.

▪ Teamwork spirit and ability to build a strong team.

▪ Good communication and negotiation skills especially with Tax and customers (i.e. parents and

companies)

Abilities (natural talents or developed proficiencies, aptitudes)

▪ Ability to understand and interpret information common to financial statements, and oversee the

financial procedures and policies of an organization.

▪ Well-organized, and concisely in presenting accounting information.

▪ Familiar with finance and accounting software

▪ Work independently, and have excellent problem-solving skills

Qualifications

Education

▪ University degree

▪ Chief accountant certificate

▪ ACCA/CPA is prefer

Experience

▪ Big 4 auditor backgrounds prefer

▪ At least 6-8 years of relevant experience of international accounting, tax and budget management

Working Conditions

● School Environment

● Working hours 8:00 am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, plus occasional staff meetings and trainings

● Some weekend or late-night duties are expected to support maintenance, installations or upgrades in non-business hours.

● Travel between campuses and overseas will be required.

Terms of Employment

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.