Accountant AR

About GESS

As one of the leading international schools in Singapore, GESS is home to students from over 70 nations worldwide. We are for many families the home away from home and we are very happy that they are part of our school community which is based on mutual support and solidarity. With our language programme, we support our students to nurture this part of their identity and want to preserve the opportunity that they can grow up with multiple languages to be best prepared for an international environment. With the German International Abitur or the IB Programme they are perfectly prepared for their career after school. Our students enjoy lifelong learning and we take pride in our GESS values of respect, openness and diversity which our students will nurture in their life after school.

We were awarded with the "Deutsche Schulpreis" (German school prize) 2022, which was given to us for our extraordinary concept according to their motto "Make teaching better". We stand out as the only German school abroad nominated for this award.

Start Date: Immediate

Contract length: 12 months

This role will mainly assist Assistant Finance Manager for the following tasks:

Carry out all AR related functions within finance department, including but not limited to invoice generation, tracking of receipts, preparing reminder letters, debt collections and issuance of debit and credit notes.

Communicate effectively with both internal and external parties for AR related matters.

Prepare timely and accurate weekly and monthly AR related reports and follow up on open issues closely if required.

Able to handle petty cash, if required as part of AR function.

When needs arise, the account assistant will be required to assist the data migration into new accounting system and data entries during parallel run.

• Issue school fee and ad-hoc invoices to customers from accounting system.
• Track payments made by parents/customers from different payment gateways for school fees, CCA fees and other miscellaneous school fees.
• Update payments made by parents into accounting system on a daily basis.
• Prepare the upload of GIRO collection in bank portal.
• Prepare Debit Notes and Credit Notes whenever necessary.
• Track, reconcile and prepare refund to parents/customers.
• Carry out regular debtor reconciliations as part of monthly closing exercise, prepare statement of accounts and conduct regular reconciliation of accounts with parents.
• Carry out monthly closing for AR function and prepare monthly schedules.
• Assist to follow up on overdue fee payments from parents including school fees, learning support, school trips and other additional fees.
• Calculate and issue invoices for late payment interest charges.
• Address outstanding fee payments towards relevant parents by phone calls, emails and/or reminder statements.
• Assist annual internal/external audit by preparing relevant audit schedules.
• Assist in gathering annual audit supporting documentation.
• Assist to collate information for AR related questions.
• First point of contact with parents on behalf of the Finance team.
• Answer queries and emails from parents regarding all AR matters.
• Assist in processing payments/cash over the Customer Service Counter.
• Work closely with Admissions and other departments of school as required.
• Assist the data migration from existing system to the new system (if required).
• Assist the parallel running in the existing and new accounting systems which such needs arise.
• Other ad-hoc tasks to be assigned from time to time, including checking and replying to emails sent to a generic email address, scanning/filing of documents, dispatch finance documents when necessary & opening letters when on duty.

• Diploma/degree in Accounting Studies or equivalent or pursuing professional certification (eg. ACCA)
• Willing to explore in Operational Finance in Account Receivable function with focus on customer service
• Good accounting knowledge in Singapore Financial Reporting Standard
• 3- 5 years of hands-on accounting experience in AR function is preferred

• Excellent Communication skills
• A team player with a proactive mindset
• Willing to learn and adapt to changes
• High-medium level in Microsoft Office Excel and Word

Fair Recruitment and Safeguarding: We are committed to fair recruitment practices and safeguarding the welfare of all students. We ensure that our hiring processes are free from discrimination and bias on the basis of age, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, caregiving responsibilities, race, religion, language or disability. As part of our commitment to safeguarding, we conduct thorough background checks on all candidates which include criminal background checks in all countries lived and worked in for the last ten years, as well as reference checks. Any offer is subject to the satisfactory completion of such checks. Our school prioritises the safety and well-being of our students, and we expect all staff members to uphold these values.