About The Role:
The Assistant Financial Controller will be supporting the Financial Controller in managing all aspects of financial reporting, accounting, and compliance with the business ensuring regular operations and reporting are efficiently administered. This role also requires adherence to IFRS standards across all operating entities, including ECL (IFRS 9), Leases (IFRS 16), and Revenue Recognition (IFRS 15). The candidate will also be a bridge between entity level finance teams, ensuring proper financial governance, standardization and process improvements across organizations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting & Compliance
- Assist with preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements per IFRS and local regulations.
- Maintain proper documentation for key accounting judgments and estimates.
- Assist both internal and external audit processes by preparing reconciliations, schedules, and supporting documentation.
- Provide support with the compliance of local tax requirements and keep up to date on taxation developments in the region.
- Review and validate the monthly tax returns (VAT/WHT) ensuring the return is compliant with local tax laws and submitted within the required deadline.
Transaction management:
- Oversee and review daily accounting operations by working closely with the Accounts Payable team to ensure the supplier invoice process is efficiently administered and compliant with local regulations and UMG procedures.
- Ensure entity liquidity levels are adequate by working closely with the Treasury team in supporting cashflow forecasts.
- Ensure bank accounts are reconciled, and payments are processed efficiently.
Financial Excellence and Process Improvement:
- Work across accounting departments to review and evaluate workflows, processes and systems to improve efficiency, timeliness and accuracy, with a focus on innovation and automation.
- Participate in finance projects and initiatives (wherever needed).
- Ensuring general ledger accounts are up to date and in line with the Group Operational Chart of Accounts.
Compliance, Internal Controls and Audit:
- Ensure there is a culture of compliance with policies, procedures and internal controls.
- Support Financial controller by regularly reviewing controls as per Internal audit requirements and completing all Internal audit reviews by agreed deadlines.
- Assist with both external and internal audits to ensure information is provided and deadlines are met.
- Implement recommendations (if any) during and after audits and take corrective action(s) when needed.
Team Support & Collaboration
- Supervise junior accountants and provide guidance on IFRS applications and closing procedures.
- Regular professional development of team members.
- The role also involves collaboration with sales, operations, and logistics teams to align financial and operational objectives.
Requirements for the Role:
Qualifications:
University degree: Bachelor's in accounting / finance (minimum) / Master's degree is preferred.
Experience:
(6-8) years experience; (2) years in senior role.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of IFRS & financial reporting standards.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, where they can interpret data and present insights clearly.
- Compliance mind-set.
- Excellent time management skills.
- High integrity, accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
- Excellent computer skills; In-depth knowledge of MS Office.
- Fluent in English
