Accountant at Smart Energies (Formaly - Smart Gas NG)

Job Summary

• The Accountant is responsible for the accurate, timely and compliant management of Smart Energies Solutions Limited's financial records, reporting, tax and statutory obligations.
• The role provides reliable financial information and sound financial controls that support the Managing Director and leadership team in decision-making, project costing, cash management and business growth.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Reporting:

• Maintain complete and accurate books of account in accordance with IFRS and applicable Nigerian laws.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, including income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and variance analysis, within agreed deadlines.
• Perform monthly bank, supplier, customer and inter-company reconciliations and resolve reconciling items promptly.
• Post journals, accruals, prepayments and depreciation, and complete month-end and year-end close processes.
• Prepare year-end schedules and working papers, and coordinate the annual external audit through to sign-off.

Budgeting, Costing & Management Information:

• Support the preparation, monitoring and review of annual budgets and periodic forecasts.
• Track project and contract costs, margins and profitability across solar, energy and related solution deliveries.
• Provide analysis and dashboards on revenue, expenses, receivables, payables and working capital to management.
• Monitor expenditure against budget and flag overruns and emerging financial risks early.

Accounts Payable, Receivable & Treasury:

• Process supplier invoices, payment requests and expense claims with proper approvals and supporting documents.
• Prepare and manage payment schedules and cash flow forecasts to ensure liquidity for operations and procurement.
• Raise customer invoices, monitor collections, follow up on overdue balances and report ageing to management.
• Manage petty cash, bank mandates and foreign-exchange transactions related to equipment and materials imports.

Tax & Statutory Compliance:

• Compute, file and remit all applicable taxes on time, including VAT, withholding tax, company income tax and PAYE.
• Ensure timely remittance of statutory staff obligations, including pension, NSITF, ITF and other applicable levies.
• Keep the company compliant with CAMA, tax legislation and other regulatory requirements, and maintain up-to-date tax clearance records.
• Liaise with tax authorities, auditors, banks and regulators as required, and advise management on tax implications of transactions.

Payroll & Inventory Support:

• Work with the HR function to validate monthly payroll inputs, review computations and ensure accurate, timely salary payments and deductions.
• Maintain accurate records of inventory, fixed assets and equipment; support periodic stock counts and asset verification.
• Work with Procurement & Operations to match purchase orders, delivery records and supplier invoices.

Internal Controls & Governance:

• Design, implement and enforce financial controls, approval limits and documentation standards.
• Safeguard company assets and ensure the integrity and confidentiality of financial data and records.
• Identify process improvements and support the adoption of accounting software and automation.
• Perform other finance-related duties assigned by the Managing Director.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely delivery of monthly management accounts and reconciliations within the agreed close calendar.
• 100% on-time filing and remittance of tax and statutory obligations, with no penalties.
• Accuracy of financial reports and clean external audit outcomes.
• Budget variance tracking and quality of financial analysis provided to management.
• Receivables collection performance and payables processing within agreed terms.

Requirements
Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (B.Sc./HND) in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline; a second-class lower or a minimum of Upper Credit is preferred.
• Full professional membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) or Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), or an equivalent recognised body such as ACCA or ICAEW. ACA/FCA status is required.
• Membership must be in good standing with up-to-date practising and annual subscriptions.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience in accounting or finance, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or senior role.
• Proven experience in a fast-paced SME or growth-stage company; exposure to the energy, renewable energy, engineering, trading or project-based sector is a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated track record in IFRS reporting, tax compliance, audit coordination and month-end close.

Technical Skills:

• Strong working knowledge of IFRS, Nigerian tax laws (VAT, WHT, CIT, PAYE), CAMA and pension and labour statutory requirements.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g. QuickBooks, Sage, Zoho Books, SAP or similar) and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Sound skills in budgeting, cash flow forecasting, project costing and financial analysis.
• Good understanding of internal controls, audit processes and foreign-exchange and import-related accounting.

Core Competencies:

• Integrity, confidentiality and a strong ethical standard consistent with professional accountancy codes.
• Attention to detail, accuracy and analytical, problem-solving ability.
• Clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues.
• Time management, ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Initiative, ownership and a collaborative approach across teams.

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: Managing Director, Head HR Business Partner, Head Procurement & Operations, Commercial team and other department heads.
• External: External auditors, tax authorities, banks, suppliers, customers, regulators and professional advisers.