CHIEF ACCOUNTANT

Job Title : Chief Accountant
Department : Finance
Reporting to : Financial Controller
Localisation : Ivory Coast
Job Grade : Peromnes Grade 7

Purpose of the Job :

The Chief Accountant is responsible for supervision and control of all the accounting functions in the relevant country.

• He/she ensures that the company’s accounting procedures conform to the applied accounting principles ;
• Overseeing the accounting department ;
• Developing financial strategies ;
• Making investment decisions, helping company leadership with strategic planning ;
• Assist the various departments with annual budget preparations and budget reviews.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Supervision of detail and general ledger posting accounts :

• Determines proper handling of financial transactions and approves transactions within designated limits ;
• Maintenance of the central accounting system ;
• Manage general accounting bookings (accruals, depreciation, payroll, VAT, etc.) ;
• Manages taxes, contributions, and statutory payments ;
• Arrange for fiscal declarations (also with the collaboration of external consultant or tax manager) ;
• Arrange for month-end actual reporting ;
• Develop and implement various accounting procedures ;
• Report, analyse and ensure integrity of all financial information ;
•  Assist with annual budgets – prepares all allocations ;
• Staff management and development ;
• Any other responsibility defined by the direct supervisor.

Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Roles:

• Understand your workplace health and safety requirements ;
• Inspect your work equipment and the workplace regularly ;
• Be alert for hazards ;
• Immediately report unsafe work practices and conditions to your supervisor ;
• Report accidents, near misses, injuries, and illnesses immediately to your supervisor ;
• Follow safe work and environmental practices and procedures ;
• Cooperate with others on matters relating to occupational safety, health, and Environment.

Emergency Preparedness Roles :

• Participate on workplace drills and actual emergencies when conducted as per procedure ;
• Raise awareness to your fellow employees concerning emergency preparedness and response procedure, policy, and programs ;
• Be aware with the specific location emergency contact information ;
• Prevent any unsafe activity that might trigger emergency evacuation prior to time ;
• Addressing concerns within workplace to emergency wardens before and after emergency response ;
• Work out to your designated place during emergency response according to the procedure.

Assigned Projects

Minimum entry requirements

1. Bachelor’s Degree ;
2. Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy ;
3. 4 – 5 Years in a similar position ;
4. Good knowledge of SYSCOHADA ;
5. Sound working knowledge of Accounting Software for example: Syspro, Sage, SAP, Pastel, etc.

Competencies Knowledge

1. Examining Records.
2. Knowledge of local tax laws.
3. Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including IAS/IFRS.
4. Reconcile and Completing of Statutory Payments.
5. Adhere to company policies and procedures.
6. Ability to analyse financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and projections.

Skills

• Strong written and oral communication ;
• Organisational and attention to detail ;
• Analytical and problem-solving skills ;
• Time management ;
• Systems analysis ;
• Mathematical and deductive reasoning ;
• Critical thinking ;
• Behave in line with the company’s core values and key principles ;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills ;
• Teamwork.

This job profile will also be linked to individual performance reviews, competency assessments and individual development plans.