Accountant

Job Description

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Financial Reporting, Africa this position is responsible to perform activities related to accounting processes and cost analysis, and to ensure service and operating standards are met (internally and externally) for the Africa Regional Office (“ARO”) and Spanish holding entities, as well as support to sites on reporting and others. This role will also perform a variety of administrative functions in support of specified departmental needs.

Job Responsibilities

Performs activities related to general accounting and cost-analysis functions for ARO, and Spanish Holding entities.

• Handle day-to-day transaction processing;
• Update and maintain accounting journals, ledgers and other records detailing financial business transactions (e.g., disbursements, expense vouchers, receipts, accounts payable). Enters data into computer system using defined computer programs (JDE);
• Able to build complex, well-structured spreadsheets; proficient in compiling and organizing large amounts of data with a significant amount of data automation; advanced Excel, PowerPoint and other tools skills;
• Generates recommendations and demonstrates increased understanding of own accounting reconciliations and analysis; recommendations are actionable;
• Preparing and submitting VAT information to the tax agency on the SII system, as well as updating the submission template and solving issues as required;
• Contributes to the development of communication materials, manuals, and other written materials related to accounting or tax issues, programs, or systems;
• Fixed asset accounting and fixed asset-sub ledger maintenance;
• Reconciles records with internal company employees and management, or external vendors or customers. Investigates questionable data;
• Collaborates on annual statutory audits with external auditors;
• Assists in the month and year-end close responsibilities for ARO and Spanish holding companies;
• Other duties as required.

Job Responsibilities I

Administrative tasks for the finance department

• Resolve administrative problems by coordinating preparation of reports, analyzing data, and identifying solutions.
• Keeping up filing system for all types of invoices, reimbursement forms, expense reports, contracts, statistics; etc
• Assist with documenting procedures.
• Create and modify documents such as reports, memos and letters using word processing, spreadsheet, database and/or other presentation software such as Microsoft Office.
• Perform general clerical duties to include, but not limited to, bookkeeping, copying, faxing, mailing, expense account filing.

Accounts payable and treasury functions

• Verifying the accuracy of invoices and other accounting documents or records for both accounting and tax purposes.
• Registering/booking of all incoming invoices;
• Preparation, control and follow up of invoices to be authorized/ signed by the HoD
• Identifies, researches and analyzes discrepancies in the procure to pay cycle, providing timely and effective solutions;
• Prepares payment requests in bank;
• Prepares monthly bank reconciliations
• Provides information for cash-flow management
• Prepares monthly petty cash counts

Responsibilities II

To provide financial information to management, LPA office, government, and regulatory agencies as required

• Prepares supporting documents / reconciliations to be provided to external and internal auditors as required.
• Provides documentation for tax filings, identifies potential issues and raises questions to the tax advisor on unclear matters;
• Communicates business insights and realistic solutions from analysis and links analysis to overall problem.

Education and Experience

• University degree or diploma in Finance or Accounting
• 3-5 years of related work experience.
• Sound understanding of area of expertise.
• Knowledge in Spanish GAAP.
• Ability to communicate in English, including reading, writing and oral communication with comprehension. French is considered an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Skills

• Ability to learn quickly
• Attention to detail and strong analytical skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to function within the qualifications outlined in the physical demands sheets
• Good organizational skills, detail-oriented
• Flexibility to undertake a variety of assignments
• Takes full responsibility for own work and analysis; adapts workplan with input from supervisor if/when priorities change; establishes next steps with minimal direction and support
• Meets all set deadlines and begins to develop own workplan; allocates time appropriately and proactively communicates potential roadblocks; often leverages supervisors time effectively; uses supervisor as a resource to structure more complex elements of work
• Builds good trusting relationships and shows the ability to recognize and adapt to various personalities; shows ability to own relationships with other functional groups; consistently demonstrates empathy for challenges