Head of Accounts at Novella Africa

Job Description

• They are looking to hire a Head of Finance with 20 years of experience.
• The Head of Finance will prepare, develop and analyze key financial information to ensure that an organization’s management makes well-informed decisions to ensure future stability, growth, and profitability.
• He/She will establish financial policies and management information systems and maintain accurate and complete financial records.
• He/She will also provide a high-quality support service by liaising with management colleagues on all aspects of finance.
• The role combines accounting skills with business management skills.

Responsibilities

• Preparing periodic financial statements, including profit and loss accounts, budgets, cash flows, variance analysis, and commentaries;
• Providing a support service by working with all departments and the management team to help make financial decisions;
• Review the financial data and information, update it, identify inconsistencies and take remedial actions, and provide assistance to direct the operation of financial activities;
• Ensure timely reconciliation of all accounts, to verify its accuracy by tracking and monitoring the financial records, etc.;
• Monitor the debtors and ensure that collections are consistent within the given time limit;
• Prepare accurate monthly and yearly reports, to provide assistance in directing the coordination and preparation of annual budgets, ensure that the approved budget has been adhered to, communicate the variations in the budget to the management, and communicate inconsistencies in the budget;
• Ensuring spending is kept in line with the budget;
• Informing key strategic decisions and formulating business strategies;
• Advising on the financial implications and consequences of business decisions;
• Analyzing the financial performance and so contributing to medium and long term business planning/forecasts;
• Negotiating on major projects, loans, and grants;
• Offering professional judgment on financial matters and advising on ways of improving business performance;
• Interpreting and communicating financial data to non-financial managers;
• Liaising with other function managers to put the finances and accounts in context;
• Monitoring and evaluating financial information systems and suggesting improvements where needed;
• Implementing corporate governance procedures, risk management, and internal controls;
• Delegate the tasks to the junior staff persons, train and mentor them by identifying the skills and training gaps, be involved in communicating the staffing needs, hiring, and terminating the staff members whenever there is a requirement;
• Collate all the relevant financial information like expenses, liabilities, revenues, assets, etc., and documentation that would ensure readiness and fast execution of the relevant financial activities;
• Recommend potential business acquisition proposals and assists the organization to make intelligent business and financial related decisions;
• Manage the day to day accounting activities by ensuring adherence to the organizational rules and regulations and statutory compliance;
• Coordinate with the technological department to ensure that a proper accounting system is selected by him that will help in delivering sound financial reports;
• Responsible for maintaining excellent relationships with the internal employees as well as with the insurance organizations, banks, audit, and financial firms, etc.;
• Develop and implement processes related to document control and management;
• Manage all company taxes ensuring timely and accurate filing with tax authorities;
• Coordination of audits with external and internal auditors; follow-up and clearing of management letters
• All IT and ERP-related activities ensure at any time full operations.

Qualifications / Experience

• Candidates should be Chartered Accountants
• 20 + years of progressively financial responsibility
• At least 6 years of experience in a Senior Finance position.

Essential Skills:

• Excellent written and oral English
• Complete mastery of IFRS standards and accounting principles;
• The candidate must be comfortable with handling complex computations;
• Ability to manage and prioritize work according to requirements;
• Effective leadership and communication skills;
• Excellent planning, analytical, and time management skills;
• Computer proficiency skills.