Accounts Intern – Nairobi – 2024

Accounts Intern – Nairobi – 2024

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• Position: Accounts Intern
• Company: Davis & Shirtliff Group
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Type of Job: Internship
• Reporting to: Finance Manager
• Application Deadline: 31st October 2024

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Introduction

Davis & Shirtliff Group is an established leader in water and energy solutions across East Africa, serving clients through a broad network of branches in Kenya and subsidiaries in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Rwanda, among others. We pride ourselves on a commitment to innovation, sustainable practices, and a team-oriented culture. Our team of over 900 professionals offers a stimulating, growth-oriented environment where each member can flourish. This Accounts Internship offers qualified young accounting professionals an opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in finance and accounting, with the potential for permanent placement within our Group Shared Services team for those who excel.

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Key Responsibilities

As an Accounts Intern at Davis & Shirtliff Group, you will work closely with our Finance Department to support day-to-day operations and contribute to essential accounting functions. Responsibilities include:

• General Ledger Maintenance: Support the organization in maintaining accurate general ledger accounts by updating, reconciling, and analyzing account balances.
• Cash Office Operations: Handle daily transactions within the cash office, including processing receipts and payments.
• Bank Reconciliation and Cash Book Management: Prepare and maintain accurate bank reconciliations and manage the cash book to ensure effective financial control.
• Job Costing: Assist in tracking project expenses and revenues to facilitate job costing and budgetary control.
• Preparation of Management Accounts: Help in preparing financial statements and reports for management decision-making.
• Credit Management: Support in managing accounts receivable, ensuring timely collection and addressing any issues related to customer credit.
• Creditors Ledger Maintenance: Accurately record and update the creditors’ ledger to support effective payment scheduling and cash flow management.
• Compliance with Internal and Regulatory Requirements: Adhere to company policies and procedures while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and financial best practices.

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Qualifications and Skills

To qualify for this Accounts Internship role, candidates should meet the following criteria:

• Education: Graduate with a minimum of Upper Second-Class Honours Degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university.
• Certification: Fully qualified CPA (K) or ACCA.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel, with experience in ERP systems as an added advantage.
• Soft Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English, both written and verbal, with a collaborative mindset and analytical capabilities.
• Team Player: A good team player with an ability to engage positively with diverse stakeholders in the finance department.

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Company Culture and Values

At Davis & Shirtliff Group, we are committed to excellence, innovation, and teamwork. Our mission centers around providing high-quality, reliable water and energy solutions to our communities while supporting sustainable practices. Our interns gain a supportive, learning-focused environment where they can hone their skills and make meaningful contributions to real-world projects. We foster a culture of integrity, customer focus, and professional growth, creating an ideal setting for aspiring accounting professionals to launch their careers.

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Apply Now for Accounts Intern

Ready to start your journey with Davis & Shirtliff Group? If you meet the qualifications and are passionate about launching a career in finance, submit your application before the 31st October 2024. To apply, click the “Apply Now” button and complete the application process as guided.

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Expert Tips to be a Successful Applicant for the Accounts Intern Role

1. Showcase Your Relevant Accounting Education and Certifications

Ensure your resume and cover letter clearly highlight your degree and any accounting certifications, such as CPA (K) or ACCA. For an entry-level role like an internship, employers look for candidates who have a solid academic foundation in accounting principles and finance. Be explicit about your GPA if it’s high (e.g., “achieved Upper Second-Class Honors or higher”), as this can demonstrate your dedication and competence.

Example: “Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with Upper Second-Class Honors, and currently a fully certified CPA (K) holder.”

2. Emphasize Any Experience or Coursework in Key Areas Like Ledger Maintenance, Cash Management, and Reconciliation

Even if you’re a recent graduate, draw attention to any academic projects, internships, or part-time roles where you gained experience relevant to the main tasks in this internship, such as bank reconciliations, cash management, or ledger maintenance. Tailor your resume to show your familiarity with these tasks, even if through case studies or simulations.

Example: “Gained hands-on experience with cash book management and ledger analysis through an accounting course project that required accurate reconciliation for a simulated business environment.”

3. Tailor Your Application to Highlight ERP Experience or Technical Skills

Since ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) knowledge is an advantage for this role, make sure to mention any exposure to ERP systems or similar software in your resume and cover letter. If you lack ERP experience, emphasize your skills in relevant software such as Excel, Access, or any accounting-specific tools (like QuickBooks).

Example: “Skilled in MS Office, with advanced Excel proficiency including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, and data analysis functions. Completed an introductory training in ERP during my coursework.”

4. Craft a Compelling Cover Letter Specific to Davis & Shirtliff Group

Research Davis & Shirtliff Group to align your cover letter with their values and mission in water and energy solutions. Mention why you’re specifically interested in contributing to their financial processes and how your skills can support their impact in the region.

Example: “I am inspired by Davis & Shirtliff’s commitment to sustainable water and energy solutions and am eager to support these initiatives by ensuring accurate financial processes and compliance.”

5. Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills Through a Polished and Professional Application

Strong written communication skills are critical in finance roles, so your application materials should be concise, well-structured, and error-free. Practice reviewing your application for clarity, relevance, and grammar. Also, use action-oriented language in your bullet points to make your achievements sound proactive and impressive.

Example: “Developed a detailed report on cash flow analysis that received high praise from my accounting professor for clarity and depth.”

6. Show That You’re a Team Player With Strong Interpersonal Skills

As collaboration is essential in accounting roles, provide examples that demonstrate your teamwork abilities, either from group projects in school, part-time jobs, or previous internships. Highlight how you communicate effectively within teams, resolve issues, or contribute to group tasks.

Example: “Collaborated with a team of five on a group project analyzing financial statements, leading discussions on financial interpretations, and fostering a collaborative learning environment.”

7. Prepare for Possible Questions on Analytical Skills and Financial Problem Solving

Be ready to give examples of how you’ve approached complex accounting problems in the past, even if hypothetically from school projects. Interviewers may ask you to demonstrate how you’d handle specific challenges like a bank reconciliation discrepancy or a ledger misbalance. Structure your answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to convey clear and detailed responses.

Example: “During a finance course project, I identified an imbalance in a mock ledger and was tasked with investigating the error. I systematically traced entries to locate the discrepancy and corrected it, enhancing the overall accuracy of the report.”

8. Practice Your Responses to Behavioral Questions Around Compliance and Ethical Standards

In an accounting role, ethical conduct and compliance are non-negotiable. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of accounting ethics and share any examples where you prioritized integrity. Even if you haven’t encountered a real-world scenario, express your knowledge of regulatory practices and your commitment to upholding financial integrity.

Example: “I understand the importance of compliance in accounting and adhere strictly to ethical standards. In my coursework, I consistently followed all academic integrity guidelines, treating every assignment with honesty and respect.”

9. Familiarize Yourself with the Company’s Financial Needs and How Your Role Contributes

A good understanding of Davis & Shirtliff’s business model and operations in water and energy can help you better understand how the accounts intern role supports their mission. During the interview, communicate how you see yourself contributing to the accuracy and efficiency of their financial operations.

Example: “I recognize that accurate account management and compliance are crucial for companies like Davis & Shirtliff to continue driving innovation in water and energy solutions. I am committed to helping uphold these standards.”

10. Prepare Thoughtful Questions to Ask in the Interview

Demonstrate your genuine interest in the internship by preparing a few insightful questions. This could include asking about Davis & Shirtliff’s recent initiatives in finance, or how they measure success for interns in their finance department. Avoid asking questions about compensation or benefits, instead focusing on growth opportunities, mentorship, or daily responsibilities.

Example: “What qualities do successful interns at Davis & Shirtliff tend to demonstrate?” or “How does the finance team at Davis & Shirtliff collaborate with other departments to meet compliance and reporting standards?”

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Equal Opportunity Statement

Davis & Shirtliff Group is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all backgrounds. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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