Deputy Manager – Finance & Accounts
Location: Central Africa
Department: Finance & Accounts
Role Type: Individual Contributor
Reporting To: Financial Controller
Role Purpose
To own the accounting, financial reporting, and compliance
function, ensuring accurate and timely books, reliable MIS, full statutory and
tax compliance, and strong internal controls that support business
decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting & Book Closure
- Ensure
accurate day-to-day accounting and general ledger maintenance.
- Lead
monthly, quarterly, and annual closing within agreed timelines.
- Prepare
financial statements in line with IFRS and Group policies.
MIS, Budgeting & Analysis
- Prepare
monthly MIS, P&L by business line (vehicles, spares, service), and
variance analysis.
- Support
annual budget and rolling forecasts; track actuals vs budget.
- Provide
margin, cost, and profitability insights to management.
Tax & Statutory Compliance
- Ensure
timely filing of VAT, corporate tax, withholding tax, and other statutory
returns.
- Maintain
compliance with local regulations and respond to tax authority queries.
- Track
the statutory calendar to ensure zero penalties.
Audit
- Coordinate
statutory, internal, and Group audits end-to-end.
- Prepare
audit schedules and close audit observations within timelines.
Treasury & Working Capital
- Manage
cash flow forecasting, bank operations, and payment runs.
- Monitor
receivables, credit control, and payables ageing.
- Perform
bank, inter-company, and vendor/customer reconciliations.
Inventory & Fixed Assets
- Oversee
inventory accounting and costing for vehicles and spare parts.
- Reconcile
physical stock with books; support periodic stock counts.
- Maintain
fixed asset register and depreciation schedules.
Controls & Process
- Strengthen
internal controls, delegation of authority, and approval workflows.
- Document
finance SOPs and establish back-up for key processes.
- Support
ERP use, data integrity, and process automation.
Performance Goals
- Three
Months (Probation): Understand the business, systems, chart of
accounts, and existing processes. Take ownership of month-end closing and
deliver accurate MIS on time. Review pending reconciliations (bank,
inter-company, inventory) and clear backlogs.
- Six
Months: Reduce the month-end closing cycle to within 7 working days.
Ensure 100% on-time statutory & tax filings with zero penalties.
Implement/tighten controls on receivables, payables, and stock.
- One
Year: Close the annual audit with no major observations. Drive annual
budget, forecasting, and cost-optimization initiatives. Document finance
SOPs and establish backups for key processes.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Month-end
closing within 7 working days (Monthly)
- Accurate
MIS submitted to management by agreed date (Monthly)
- 100%
on-time statutory & tax filings; zero penalties (Ongoing)
- All
reconciliations (bank, inter-company, stock) up to date (Monthly)
- Receivables
within agreed credit terms / ageing targets (Monthly)
- Audit
closed with no major observations (Annual)
Candidate Specification
Qualifications & Experience
- Education:
CA / ACCA / CPA / CIMA (qualified); or M.Com / MBA (Finance) with strong
relevant experience.
- Experience:
8 – 12 years in Finance & Accounts, including a minimum of 3 years at
the Assistant Manager level or above.
- Industry
Preference: Automotive dealership, distribution, trading, or
manufacturing. Africa experience is preferred.
Technical & Behavioural Skills
- Strong
expertise in financial reporting, IFRS, and month-end close.
- Thorough
understanding of direct and indirect taxation (VAT, corporate tax, WHT).
- Experience
with ERP systems (SAP / Oracle / Sage) and Advanced Excel.
- Proficiency
in inventory costing and working-capital management.
- High
integrity, attention to detail, and a strong sense of ownership.
- Ability
to work independently, meet deadlines under pressure, and communicate
clearly with management and auditors.
- Languages:
Fluent in written and spoken English. Knowledge of French or local
languages is an added advantage.
