Job Title: Senior Accountant
Function: Finance
Reports To: Finance Manager
Purpose of the Role
The Senior Accountant is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial records, reporting, and balance sheet management within the assigned business unit or market. The role oversees key accounting activities, coordinates period-end closing processes, and ensures compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), company policies, statutory requirements, and internal controls.
The role supports effective financial management through reliable reporting, sound balance sheet governance, working capital monitoring, and continuous improvement of accounting processes. It also provides guidance to junior accounting team members, promotes accountability, and ensures financial information is accurate, timely, and audit-ready.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Controls
- Review and validate accounting entries to ensure accuracy and compliance with IFRS and group accounting policies.
- Ensure the completeness and accuracy of financial records across all accounting areas.
- Review accounting treatments, accruals, provisions, and journal entries.
- Ensure adherence to internal controls, approval matrices, and financial policies.
- Resolve accounting discrepancies and escalate complex technical issues when required.
Financial Reporting & Period-End Closing
- Coordinate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing activities to ensure timely completion.
- Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, and supporting schedules.
- Analyze financial results and investigate significant variances against budgets, forecasts, and prior periods.
- Ensure compliance with group reporting requirements and established reporting deadlines.
- Support financial consolidation and reporting activities at business unit and group levels.
Balance Sheet Management & Reconciliations
- Ensure timely and accurate preparation and review of balance sheet reconciliations.
- Monitor key accounts, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, accruals, provisions, and intercompany balances.
- Ensure all balances are properly substantiated, documented, and supported by an appropriate audit trail.
- Identify discrepancies, aged balances, and potential financial risks, ensuring timely resolution.
- Monitor intercompany transactions and coordinate reconciliations with relevant stakeholders.
Working Capital & Cash Management
- Monitor accounts receivable, accounts payable, and cash balances to support effective working capital management.
- Follow up on overdue receivables and ensure payments are processed in accordance with company policies and approved terms.
- Support cash flow forecasting and identify potential liquidity risks.
- Monitor credit exposure and outstanding balances, escalating risks when necessary.
- Coordinate with Treasury and relevant business teams on cash management and working capital matters.
Inventory & Fixed Asset Accounting
- Oversee inventory accounting, valuation, and reconciliation activities in coordination with relevant operational teams.
- Support physical inventory counts and investigate stock variances and discrepancies.
- Review inventory provisions, including slow-moving and obsolete stock (SLOB), write-offs, and cost allocations.
- Monitor capital expenditure tracking and ensure appropriate capitalization of eligible costs.
- Ensure accurate recording, reconciliation, and control of fixed assets in accordance with company policies and accounting standards.
Compliance, Audit & Governance
- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax regulations, statutory requirements, and company policies.
- Maintain accurate financial documentation and ensure records are audit-ready.
- Coordinate with internal and external auditors and provide the required supporting documentation.
- Follow up on audit findings and ensure corrective actions are implemented within agreed timelines.
- Identify control weaknesses and recommend improvements to strengthen financial governance and mitigate risks.
Financial Analysis & Business Support
- Provide financial information and analysis to support business decisions and operational performance.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
- Analyze financial performance, identify variances, and highlight potential risks and opportunities.
- Support cost control initiatives and profitability improvement projects.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure financial accuracy in operational and commercial decisions.
Team Supervision & Development
- Supervise and review the work of Accountants, Branch Accountants, and other junior accounting team members, as applicable.
- Provide guidance on accounting procedures, financial reporting, and internal controls.
- Ensure the team meets reporting deadlines and maintains the required quality and accuracy standards.
- Support employee development, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement within the accounting function.
- Promote a culture of accountability, integrity, accuracy, and compliance.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is mandatory.
- Professional qualification such as ACCA, CPA, CMA, or CA is preferred.
- Minimum 7–10 years of relevant experience in accounting or finance, including at least 2–3 years in a senior or supervisory accounting role.
- Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, or distribution is preferred.
- Experience in financial reporting, balance sheet management, reconciliations, and period-end closing is required.
- Exposure to audit processes, internal controls, and multi-entity environments is preferred.
- Familiarity with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, or Oracle is required.
Required Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge of IFRS, financial reporting standards, and accounting principles.
- Solid understanding of balance sheet management, financial controls, and reconciliations.
- Working knowledge of inventory accounting, cost accounting, and working capital management.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and numerical skills.
- High attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy.
- Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict reporting deadlines.
- Strong integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.
- Team supervision, coaching, and knowledge-sharing capabilities.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting.
- Timely completion of month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing activities.
- Quality and timeliness of balance sheet reconciliations.
- Resolution of aged balances and outstanding reconciliation items.
- Compliance with internal controls, accounting policies, and statutory requirements.
- Audit outcomes and timely closure of audit findings.
- Working capital performance and management of overdue balances.
- Accuracy of inventory and fixed asset accounting.
- Team productivity and adherence to reporting deadlines.
