Assist the accountant in managing transactional finance activities, ensuring effective internal controls, and supporting compliance to maintain the company’s licence to operate and protect its reputation.

Responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following:

Payments, Trade Finance and Working Capital Management

• Validate the completeness and accuracy of all supporting documents (invoices, agreements, advices, BLs, etc.) prior to processing.
• Review supplier invoices, verify pricing and terms, and flag any unusual or questionable items.
• Process, upload, and prepare invoices for payment in line with internal controls.
• Execute and review payments (cheques, TTs, import loans, electronic transfers, etc.) to ensure compliance with company policies and approval matrices.
• Reconcile accounts payable balances and maintain up-to-date supplier ledgers.
• Prepare accounts payable analyses and escalate concerns when required.
• Coordinate with Procurement for orders involving LC terms.
• Prepare and submit LC applications after completing document verification and obtaining management approval.
• Liaise with banks for LC issuance, amendments, and settlement and for approval and monitoring of import loans and other trade-finance facilities.
• Support the optimisation of working capital by ensuring timely settlement of obligations and proactive follow-up on trade-finance activities.

Accounting

• Record all accounting entries accurately and on time.
• Maintain a complete, organised set of accounting documents and records.
• Perform monthly bank revaluations and ensure timely, accurate bank reconciliations.
• Operate in line with accounting standards, internal procedures, and applicable legal requirements.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts and related schedules.

Statutory and Tax Compliance

• Prepare VAT computations and ensure timely submission of VAT returns.
• Prepare TDS computations and ensure timely submission of TDS returns.
• Provide support on corporate tax computations and related statutory documentation.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory and statutory reporting requirements.

Process Improvement and Internal Controls

• Continuously enhance SOPs related to Accounts Payable, Payments, and Trade Finance to align with best practices.
• Document processes and accounting policies to strengthen internal controls.
• Support the control environment by contributing to risk assessments (fraud risk, stock ageing, aged POs, etc.).

Other Responsibilities

• Review petty cash, conduct surprise cash counts, and ensure proper approvals and documentation.
• Ensure proper filing and archiving of all finance documents.
• Assist with reconciliations, audit preparations, and internal control activities.
• Support accountants with ad hoc tasks such as statutory filings, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• Maintain strong and professional relationships with suppliers.
• Execute assigned accounting and administrative tasks to support the finance function.
• Handle routine scanning, photocopying, and retrieval of financial documents.
• Provide necessary documents and support for internal and external audits.
• Ensure proper filing and secure storage of all finance documents, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Support smooth operations by performing routine administrative tasks such as document preparation and data management.
• Handle supplier and internal queries related to finance documents as required.

Candidate Profile (Ideal):

Qualification: Minimum ACCA Level 1 and pursuing ACCA Level 2

Experience: Minimum 2 years (experience in international trading may be an advantage).

Generic Competencies:

• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Self-starter, sound judgement and ability to analyse situations and information.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team and manage multiple situations simultaneously.
• Ability to prioritise and be hands-on.

Technical Competencies:

• Basic technical accounting knowledge.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Well versed with accounting packages – preferably SAGE Pastel.