Senior Associate - Accounting Services at SME Champion & Co. Nigeria

Job Summary

• The Senior Associate participates in and leads staff on engagements.
• The Senior Associate is afforded the opportunity to undertake more challenging assignments, clients, staff responsibilities relating to Accounting Services.

Major Responsibilities & Duties

• Support month-end and year-end close process
• Obtain a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting & auditing standards and common audit procedures and techniques andensure adherence with them.
• Supervise, train and mentor associates and interns on accounting processes
• Acquire a working knowledge of the client’s business.
• Proactively interact with key client’s management to gather information, resolve problems, and makerecommendations for business and process improvements.
• Perform other job related duties as necessary.
• Manage accounting assistants and bookkeepers.
• Provide input into department’s goal setting process
• Assist with tax audits and tax returns
• Plan, assign and review staff’s work
• Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls

Requirements & Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess the following basic qualifications:

• Excellent project management, analytical, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership, training, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic team environment
• Professionalism, dependability, integrity and trustworthiness combined with a cooperative attitude.
• Highly motivated self-starter with ability to multitask and complete assignments within time constraints and deadlines.
• Dedicated to superior client service.
• Strong organizational skill and attention to detail.
• Proven experience as a financial controller, accounting supervisor, chief or senior accountant
• Thorough knowledge of basic accounting procedures
• In-depth understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Awareness of business trends
• Familiarity with financial accounting statements
• Experience with general ledger functions and the month-end/year-end close process
• Hands-on experience with accounting software packages, like FreshBooks and QuickBooks
• Advanced MS Excel skills including Vlookups and pivot tables
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Aptitude for numbers and quantitative skills
• BS Degree in Accounting, Finance or relevant
• Relevant certification (e.g. CIMA, ACCA, ICAN) will be preferred.