Chief Accountant

Company Description

Our accounting department is looking for a new teammate who has more than just a positive relationship with numbers, spreadsheets, and complex accounting and tax matters. You should be highly driven and always aim to deliver work of the highest quality. Are you capable of handling a high level of responsibility and adapting daily to the fast pace of the FMCG sector? Let us know about you-we’d love to meet you for an interview. Most jobs drain your energy; this one gives it back.

Job Description

GENERAL ACCOUNTING

• Guarantees 100% compliance with all relevant local legislation (e.g. statutory accounting standards, tax law, civil law) and internal group accounting guidelines.

• Ensures that the accounting is correct, transparent (within the organisation and towards HQ) and complete (including appropriate accruals/deferrals). The financial statements must present a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the reported period.

• Assures timely submission of accurate financial information to all stakeholders (e.g. tax authorities, other local authorities).

• Assists the Finance Manager in pro-actively managing the year end audit process and the external auditors to secure clean Early Warning Memorandums and clean Management Letters strictly avoiding an “Emphasis of Matter” or a “Qualified Opinion”.

• While maintaining quality, continuously drives efficiency by streamlining processes (within Accounting and beyond Accounting) and the use of available tools.

• Ensures that the accounting operations are fully integrated from a process, systems and control perspective.

• Supports the Finance Manager in establishing an effective tax management in cooperation with the tax specialists in HQ and external tax advisors.

• Supervises bookeeping.

• Support budgeting and strategic planning through financial scenario analysis.

TREASURY

• Oversee the company’s cash management, ensuring sufficient liquidity to meet operational and strategic needs.

• Optimize working capital

• Support financial planning and forecasting

• Oversee foreign exchange

• Ensure compliance with treasury policies, internal controls and regulatory requirements.

• Prepare and present treasury reports to senior management and HQ, including cash position, funding needs and risk exposure.

PERIOD CLOSING

• Coordinate the accounting month-end closing process

• Ensure timely and accurate close (deadlines, checklists)

• Prepare closing reports and commentary

• Drive process improvements anD automation

TAX

• Ensure accurate tax accounting (current & deferred tax)

• Coordinate tax filings with advisors

• Manage tax audits and inspections

• Monitor tax risks and exposures

• Align accounting treatment with tax requirements

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Builds a team of highly engaged and motivated people.

• Develops and regularly updates the job descriptions for all accounting staff.

• Ensures that sufficient resources are in place and each position is held by a person with the appropriate qualification.

• Agrees on annual objectives and links variable pay to the achievement levels.

• Holds bi-annual performance reviews giving clear, honest and fair feedback.

• Promotes development, internal trainings to elevate knowledge levels within the team.

• Assures that all key processes are documented in writing and that checklists are being used.

Qualifications

Minimum of 5 years in similar positions within multinational corporations.

Vast knowledge of all local tax regulations, local GAAP and IFRS.

Strong leadership skills/strong leadership track record.

Capable of communicating precisely, effectively and convincingly based on facts with internal and external stakeholders.

IT literate and SAP knowledge.

A structured and well-organised individual.

Must be self-motivated, self-directed and be able to work under pressure in a fast paced team environment.