ABOUT ALU

ALU provides higher education for a higher purpose. Our students declare missions, not majors.
They develop the real-world skills to take on the world’s most pressing challenges. And they take ownership of their learning from day one through our peer and student-led approach – because ALU believes in the power and agency of young people to start shaping the future right now.
Together with a world-class faculty and staff, our students are igniting a ripple of positive impact across Africa and the world.

We are dedicated to fostering an open yet secure environment, balancing the safety of students, staff, and visitors with respect for individual rights, and safeguarding responsibilities.

HOW WE WORK

As a high-growth start-up, the ALU Team works in starkly different ways to traditional academic bureaucracies. We approach education from first principles, empower individuals to design, test, and implement creative new ideas, and work closely together to craft transformative learning experiences. We are deeply passionate about our students and excited by the challenge of building something entirely new.

The African Leadership University is committed to ensuring the safety and Well-being of all students under our care. As part of this commitment , we have a comprehensive safeguarding policy in place , which outlines our Zero-tolerance approach to any violation of safeguarding.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Finance Associate’s primary role is to develop and improve an accounts payable process which is scalable, across multi-location and has multiple payment streams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure all supplier invoices received are processed according to set procedures.
• Adhere to supplier payment terms by preparing weekly payment runs.
• Dispatch remittance advice/swift confirmation to suppliers on a timely basis, as confirmation of payment.
• Reconcile supplier statements on a monthly basis and resolve discrepancies.
• Regular review of all open purchase orders and take initiative to clear these.
• Prepare and post entries to various nominal ledgers.
• Effect monthly payment run of all staff expenses due for payment.
• Ensure all consultant payments are paid along with staff after reviewing the list with People Ops team.
• Keep vendor database updated at all times.
• Assist the Financial Controller in preparation of weekly cash flow forecasts
• Actively review of spend reports to look for new contracting opportunities.
• General office administration as required.
• Prepare and file monthly withholding tax returns.
• Prepare and file yearly withholding tax returns and send out certificates to vendors.
• Maintain month end schedule and account for monthly accruals and prepayment release.
• Assist group finance with ad hoc projects.
• Perform such other duties as may be reasonably assigned by team manager.

Ensure the safety and well-being of all young persons and vulnerable adults with whom we deal, by adhering to ALU’s comprehensive safeguarding policy, maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to any violations of safeguarding standards.

REQUIREMENTS

Required

• A Bachelor’s degree in finance (minimum)
• At least 3 years’ work experience in a similar role
• Impeccable attention to detail
• Project management skills, particularly strong work planning, prioritization, time management, scheduling and organization skills
• Demonstrated ability to use accounting software effectively, to manage and process data and agility to learn new tools and systems
• Experience working with cross functional teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

• Experience as a AP associate handling day-to-day operations
• Experience working in a start-up environment
• Experience working at a higher education institution in Africa
• Experience using accounting/ERP software
• High comfort level working within a self-directed culture and navigating ambiguity
• Openness to critique and curiosity to learn from other perspectives
• Experience working with audit and other management consultancy firms