Chief Accountant at FINCA International

Location: Owerri, Imo, Nigeria
Department: Finance

Job Summary

• The chief accountant/head of the accounts is a senior position in finance and administration Department. S/he ensures the overall supervision of the department, safeguards the company’s physical and financial assets with the aim of maximizing returns. He reviews the inventory as well as the accounts records. He further oversees the smooth running of the department in the absence of the CFO/Finance Manager.

KPI/Duties and Responsibilities
Review, Monitoring And Control Of Accounts And Reports:

• Review all cash and transitory accounts reconciliations
• Bank reconciliations
• Reviews and monitors branch transitory accounts
• Prepare and post journal entries into the accounting module to take up adjustments, reclassifications, corrections, monthly and yearly accounting transactions upon the approval of the CFO
• Regular review of the accounting records.
• Review petty cash settlement reports of head office and all branches  
• Reviews and ensures that all cash expenses and bank transactions are entered into the accounting system
• Coordinates annual inventory of fixed assets in all branches and Head Office
• Prepare/Review reconciliation report of clients’ savings accounts.
• Ensure prompt filing and proper organization of accounting documents.

Maintenance Of System Procedures And Processes:

• Open the session
• Maintains accounting module processes
• Execute and monitor daily closure of session and clear all the system related issues.
• Maintain a log of all System related problems.
• Execute and monitor monthly closure processes

Report Preparation:

• Prepare accurate and timely monthly reports including ALCO reports, income statement, Balance sheet, unapplied, overpayments, cash flow.
• Prepares or reviews reports to the Central Bank
• Payroll and payroll related procedures and transactions
• Prepare reports to the tax authorities monthly, quarterly and annually

Maintenance Of External Relations:

• Facilitate internal and external audits in conformity with FINCA International, Central Bank and other government agency (i.e. tax) reporting requirements.
• Represent the CFO and CD in tax and other government agencies’ inspections

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Accounting with CPA/ACCA or Chartered Accountancy Equivalent required.
• MBA Degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years (2 years as supervising accounting functions).
• Worked with at least one accounting computer systems.
• Strong knowledge IFRS and the application in financial accounting.
• Strong experience in financial management of a company, desirably a financial institution.
• A sound knowledge of micro finance and principles and practices of banking.

Critical Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Leading With Integrity :

• Reinforces our values through daily behavior
• Holds others accountable to ethical behavior
• Encourages full disclosure of mistakes

Confronts unethical behavior quickly:

• Employee Engagement  
• Mentors others to develop their skills
• Sets clear and measurable goals
• Provides feedback on performance regularly

Achievement Focus:  

• Overcomes obstacles creatively
• Consistently achieves business objectives
• Recognizes and pursues opportunities

Collaboration:  

• Convinces others collaboration is a win-win
• Holds people accountable to work together
• Fosters mutual accountability to achieve results
• Develops rapport throughout the Company
• Recruitment & Staffing  
• Makes quality hiring decisions
• Forecasts staffing needs accurately
• Follows Company hiring process
• Demonstrates effective interviewing process
• Financial Responsibility  
• Conserves organizational resources
• Works within budget guidelines
• Assesses ROI on expenditures
• Adjusts allocations to take advantage of unplanned opportunities

Key Relationships:

• Management Board
• Subsidiary board
• Regional Finance Analyst
• Department Heads
• Regulatory and Statutory bodies