FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER – Resani Consulting Ltd

A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is standard; many employers prefer candidates with ACCA, CIMA, or ICAM qualifications. Local experience with Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) compliance, public financial management systems (e.g., IFMIS), and familiarity with the Malawi Companies Act is highly valued.

Daily tasks include overseeing payroll processing, managing vendor payments, preparing monthly financial reports for management, and ensuring timely MRA tax filings (PAYE, VAT, withholding tax). You’ll also coordinate office administration—procurement, HR support, facility management—and liaise with local banks, auditors, and government agencies like the Registrar of Companies.

Respect for hierarchy and formal communication with senior leadership is common, and relationship-building through face-to-face meetings remains important—even for routine matters. Punctuality is expected, but flexibility around deadlines may occur during national events (e.g., elections, harvest season), and fluency in Chichewa can aid internal team coordination, especially outside Lilongwe and Blantyre.

With strong performance and local regulatory knowledge, professionals often advance to Finance Director, Country Manager, or COO roles—especially in NGOs, consultancies, or growing private firms. Some transition into independent practice as registered auditors or tax consultants, leveraging ICAM or MRA accreditation, while others pursue postgraduate studies locally (e.g., UNIMA’s MBA) or regionally (e.g., UCT or UZ).

Standard benefits include 20–30 days annual leave, statutory maternity/paternity leave, and participation in the National Pension Scheme (NPS). Many mid-sized firms offer basic medical aid through providers like Medipass or Malawi Health Insurance Company, though comprehensive coverage varies—and private health insurance is rarely fully employer-funded.

Applications are usually submitted via email with a tailored CV and cover letter highlighting Malawi-specific experience—e.g., IFMIS use, MRA filing history, or donor-funded project finance. Employers prioritise integrity, local regulatory literacy, proven budget oversight, and references from reputable Malawian organisations; interviews often include scenario-based questions on ethics, cash flow challenges, or staff management in resource-constrained settings.