Financial Accountant

Primary Purpose of Role

The Financial Accountant is responsible for:

  • Ensure an accurate and timely month end close, through processing of month-end entries in the General Ledger.

  • Monthly reconciliation of Balance Sheet accounts and ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.

  • Monitoring inventory discrepancies processed at store and warehouse level, and providing commentary around the monthly balance movement.

  • Business partnering with Merchandise, Procurement and Supply Chain departments to ensure accurate inventory data and provide commentary on inventory movements.

  • Involvement and support with business transformation projects as Finance Representative, to provide input on financial impact of new business processes implemented.

Key Skills Qualifications & Experience

Prerequisite Skills:

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

  • Excellent attention to detail

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

  • Solutions-focused and continuous improvement mindset

  • Highly motivated, well organised and a proactive approach

Education/Qualifications/Memberships:

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

  • Qualified Accountants (e.g. CA, CPA, or equivalent)

Preferred Experience:

  • Minimum 3 years’ experience within the financial reporting or auditing space

  • Experience in a retail (or multi-site) or FMCG environment would be beneficial

  • Strong demonstration of collaboration

  • Infor/MS experience is an advantage

Key Result Areas and Responsibilities

A. Financial Accounting

  • Summarising and reporting on monthly/annual financial position to internal stakeholders, regulators and tax collection entities.

  • Analysing variances and providing commentary on significant $ swings in the financial statements.

  • Ensure selected balance sheet reconciliations are performed in a timely manner and that all reconciling items are addressed within 1 month end cycle.

  • Liaising with Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable team to understand movement in Creditor and Debtor accounts.

  • Liaising with Procurement, Logistics and Inventory team to understand movement in Inventory and associated on-cost accounts.

  • Preparation of year-end calculations as part of statutory requirements, including liaising with external auditors and attending to relevant audit requests.

  • Collaborate with the Commercial team to monitor budgets and forecasts for business cost centres.

  • Establish and maintain effective internal controls within the financial accounting function. Identify and mitigate financial risks, implement best practices, and ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.

  • Other ad hoc duties as required.

B. Auditing

  • Ensuring financial records are a fair and accurate representation of the transactions they claim to represent.

  • Identifying process improvements and implementing changes to increase efficiency.

C. Business analysis

  • Identifying and articulating the need for change and facilitating those changes that will be most beneficial to the Company's stakeholders.

  • Ability to analyse financial data and provide valuable insights to support decision-making.

  • Continuously monitor and consider internal controls and seek out ways to improve processes.

  • Work with others in the Finance team and selected cost centre owners/Department Heads on financials – monthly review of results, opportunities for improvements (e.g. cost reductions).