Practical Attachment Experience at West Harerghe Zone Finance Office

Practical Attachment Experience at West Harerghe Zone Finance Office

By Fetiya Shano Aliyi

Introduction

Practical Attachment Experience at During my summer practical attachment at the West Harerghe Zone Finance Office in Chiro, Ethiopia, I gained invaluable hands-on experience in financial administration and public resource management. This report summarizes my activities, key learnings, challenges faced, and recommendations for improvement.

Key Activities Practical Attachment Experience at

1. Purchasing Department Tasks

• Assisted in preparing bidding documents and evaluating suppliers.
• Organized recorded data and supported staff in procurement processes.
• Learned about purchasing procedures, including market surveys and material distribution.

1. Payment Department Duties

• Managed petty cash and bank transactions.
• Recorded expenses using vouchers (Payment Voucher, Journal Voucher, Suspense Voucher).
• Assisted in payroll preparation, including tax calculations and deductions.

1. Software and Systems

• Worked with the IBEX software system for financial record-keeping.
• Participated in bank reconciliation processes.

Strengths of the Organization

• Teamwork: Employees exhibited strong collaboration and punctuality.
• Transparency: Efforts to minimize expenditures and maximize service quality.
• Employee Motivation: Equitable payment and training for new hires.

Challenges Observed

1. Organizational Weaknesses

• Lack of proper documentation and written policies in English.
• Inconvenient office structure and limited resources (e.g., computers, paper).
• Communication gaps between town and woredas (districts).

1. Personal Challenges

• Limited access to senior staff for mentorship.
• Financial constraints during the attachment period.

Recommendations

1. For the Finance Office:

• Improve documentation and data management practices.
• Provide regular training for employees to enhance skills.
• Strengthen communication channels between departments.

1. For Future Attachments:

• Universities should allocate budgets to support students during internships.
• Supervisors should ensure students are placed in roles that maximize learning.

Conclusion

My practical attachment at the West Harerghe Zone Finance Office was a transformative experience, bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. Despite challenges, the insights gained into financial administration, procurement, and teamwork have prepared me for future professional endeavors. I hope my recommendations contribute to the office’s ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and service delivery.

References:

• Department of Planning and Budget documents.
• Interviews with supervisors and employees.
• Organizational reports and manuals.

---

This blog post is based on my 45-day practical attachment report submitted to Oda Bultum University. For more details, feel free to reach out!

http://Gadaamarket.com

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EJQ4l54