Senior Accountant

Role & responsibilities

• Financial Management and Reporting:

  Over all responsible for maintaining the accounts and Audit .

• General ledger and reconciliation:

  Manage the school's general ledger, ensuring all financial transactions, including fee collection and expenditure, are accurately recorded, posted, and reconciled.

• Financial statements:

  Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow statements for management review.

• Budgeting and forecasting:

  Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and periodic financial forecasts. Monitor budget performance and report on variances.

• Accounts payable/receivable:

  Oversee all accounts payable and receivable activities, ensuring timely payments to vendors and proper tracking of student fee collections.

• Bank reconciliation:

  Perform regular bank reconciliations to ensure the accuracy of financial records and identify any discrepancies.

Taxation and Legal Compliance:

Ensure all school finances comply with applicable laws and regulations, including the Income Tax Act, GST laws, and specific rules for educational trusts/societies.

Manage the Goods and Services Tax (GST) compliance, including filing periodic returns (e.g., GSTR-1, GSTR-3B).

External Audits:

Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors and the school's Chartered Accountant (CA).

Prepare and provide all necessary documentation and schedules for the annual external audit.

Address auditor queries and provide clarifications in a timely and professional manner.

Resolving CA observations:

Work closely with the management and CA to understand and resolve any observations, discrepancies, or issues raised during the audit.

Develop and implement corrective action plans to address control weaknesses or procedural lapses identified by the CA or auditors.

Ensure all audit findings are resolved and documented for future reference and compliance.

Payroll and Statutory Deductions:

1.Salary calculation:

2.Provident Fund (PF):

Handle the monthly online remittance of EPF contributions through the ECR (Electronic Challan-cum-Return) portal.

File all necessary returns and maintain records for EPF compliance.

3.Employee's State Insurance Corporation (ESIC):

Determine employee and employer contributions based on applicable wage limits. Ensure timely online remittance of ESIC contributions and file required returns.

Handle any claims or compliance-related matters with the ESIC department.

4.Professional Tax (PT):

Calculate and deduct Professional Tax from employee salaries according to state-specific regulations.

Ensure timely payment of Professional Tax to the relevant state authorities and file periodic returns.

5.Tax Deducted at Source (TDS):

Calculate and deduct TDS from employee salaries as per Income Tax regulations.

Deposit TDS on a monthly basis and file quarterly TDS returns (Form 24Q).

Generate and issue Form 16 to employees annually.

6.Team Management and Process Improvement:

Mentoring: Train and guide junior accounting staff, bookkeepers, and accounts assistants.

Process enhancement: Review and recommend improvements to accounting systems and internal controls to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and data security.

Documentation: Develop and maintain detailed process documentation and accounting policies.

Preferred candidate profile:

1.Bachelor's degree in Commerce, Accounting, or a related field; a Master's degree is a plus.

2.Proven experience as a Senior Accountant, preferably in an educational institution.

3.In-depth knowledge of accounting principles, Indian tax laws (TDS, GST), and statutory compliances (PF, ESIC, PT).

4.Proficiency with accounting software (e.g., Tally ERP, SAP) and advanced Excel skills.

5.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

6.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to handle confidential information with integrity.

7.Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.