Location: Silverleaf Academy Usa River Campus, Tanzania

Position: Finance Intern

Contract Type: Full Time

Contract Duration: Short Term

Line Manager: Finance Officer

Organization 

Silverleaf Academy is a building chain of affordable private pre-primary and primary schools, educating children aged 2-14. Our mission is to provide lower-middle-income families in Tanzania with the highest quality learning at the most affordable levels. Using the national Tanzanian curriculum, Silverleaf schools deploy an inclusive, tech-supported curriculum inside every classroom, and adopt an innovative team-teaching approach and in-service training program. Our schools are specifically designed to build both student academic competencies and wider life, leadership, and learning skills. It is our promise to our students and their parents that Silverleaf students will not leave school without full mastery of the basic skills of writing, reading and math, while also being prepared for a world where critical thinking, team collaboration, and entrepreneurship are paramount. Silverleaf currently has one fully operational campus in Usa River serving approximately 550 pre-primary to standard 7 students. By January 2025, the target is to grow the Usa River campus to over 1,000 daycare up to standard 7 students. In addition, the organization will set the foundation for the acquisition of two new campuses serving a further 500 students by January 2025. For this rapid growth and scaling phase, the organization requires a capable and professional Finance Intern to provide support in building and managing robust financial systems.

Role

The  Finance Intern at Silverleaf Academy will be on a training path to becoming a full time member of staff at Silverleaf as we grow and expand. It will be the role of the Finance Intern to help with financial and administrative functions of the company and school campuses to ensure performance. The Finance Intern will sit within the Silverleaf company structure and will provide support for all company level staff.

Department Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

1. Fee Collection Efficiency: Timeliness and accuracy of fee collections to ensure consistent cash flow and minimize outstanding balances.
2. Purchasing Cost Savings: Contribution to cost savings through strategic purchasing decisions and effective supplier negotiations.
3. Supplier Relationship Management: Effectiveness in fostering positive relationships with suppliers and ensuring smooth collaboration in supply chain operations.
4. Receipting Accuracy: Accuracy and reliability in reconciling receipts and financial transactions to maintain the integrity of financial records.
5. Budget Adherence: Adherence to budgetary constraints and financial targets through proactive monitoring and analysis of expenditures.

Responsibilities

1. 1. Assist in fee collection activities, including preparation of invoices and receipts for students
   2. Assist in fee collection activities, tracking payments, and following up on outstanding balances
   3. Assist in preparation of payroll
   4. Assist in financial audit, preparation, and coordination the audit process
   5. Computation of various tax, preparation, and timely filing tax returns to avoid penalties
   6. Assist in reconciling receipts and financial transactions, ensuring accuracy and completeness of records while identifying and rectifying any discrepancies or errors.
   7. Support schools expenditure verification, review, and validation of supporting documents to ensure compliance with SLA finance policy
   8. Create daily posting of transactions in fee tracker and Quickbooks as necessary
   9. Undertake proper filing of accounting, procurement, and financial records for easy retrieval 10. Undertake any other duties that the supervisor may assign

Skills and Attributes                

• University Degree in Accounting / Finance from a reputable university
• Computer literacy and adaptability, including financial and human resource systems
• Desire to learn, innovate and build robust and impactful systems and processes
• Comfortable with using initiative and meeting targets in a in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for generating exceptional outcomes for young people in Tanzania
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Fluency in English and Swahili

Values

An essential part of the Silverleaf model is adherence to the core values of the organisation:

1. Lead the Way – Demonstrate the principles of servant leadership by practicing empathy, considering needs of others, and setting a good example for peers in your community.
2. Build for the Future – Look beyond today and equip yourself with the skills, attitudes and tools required to be a socially responsible global citizen in the world of tomorrow.
3. Ask Why and Why Not – Think critically and use evidence to support your decisions, to find proactive ways to challenge what is possible and to innovate for positive changes.
4. Speak, Listen, and Learn – Work together by sharing your ideas in an organized way, listening to the views of others, and considering different perspectives and angles.
5. Unwavering Mission Focus – Set clear goals and be disciplined, diligent and determined in achieving them to the very best of your ability, regardless of the obstacles that may arise.