Senior Accountant

Purpose of role The Senior Accountant is responsible for leading the day-to-day finance operations of the business across Order-to-Cash (O2C), Purchase-to-Pay (P2P), Record-to-Report (R2R), Tax & Statutory Compliance, and Internal Controls. The role ensures accurate financial reporting, effective cash and working capital management, compliance with Group policies and local regulations, and maintenance of a strong control environment.

The position provides leadership and development to the Accountant and Cashier while acting as a key business partner to operational and commercial teams. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. ORDER TO CASH (O2C) Revenue and Receivables Management Monitor accounts receivable aging and drive collection activities to optimize cash conversion and working capital. Lead monthly review of overdue balances and implement escalation actions on aged debtors. Ensure customer receipts are accurately allocated and reconciled. Support monthly Expected Credit Loss (ECL) reviews and bad debt provisioning. Partner with Sales, Aftersales, and Operations teams to resolve customer account issues and disputes. Prepare receivables reporting, collection forecasts, and cash collection performance analysis. Key Deliverables Debtor aging maintained within agreed targets. Reduction in overdue receivables. Accurate and timely customer account reconciliations. Improved cash collection performance.
2. PURCHASE TO PAY (P2P) Procurement and Payables Management Oversee supplier account reconciliations, including OEM suppliers and strategic vendors. Manage Import Letter of Credit (LC) processes, payment schedules, and supplier obligations. Review and monitor supplier aging balances and payment commitments. Ensure timely processing of supplier invoices and payments. Monitor compliance with "No PO, No Pay" requirements and procurement policies. Review payment vouchers, payment runs, and supporting documentation before payment execution. Ensure accurate accrual of supplier liabilities and unrecorded obligations. Partner with procurement teams to improve vendor management and payment efficiency. Key Deliverables Timely supplier payments. Zero material supplier reconciliation issues. Compliance with procurement and payment controls. Effective management of import and OEM payment obligations.
3. RECORD TO REPORT (R2R) Financial Accounting and Reporting Maintain integrity of the General Ledger and all supporting financial records. Process and review journal entries, accruals, prepayments, and adjustments. Perform daily bank transaction reviews and posting controls. Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes. Prepare monthly management accounts and performance reports. Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning processes. Produce weekly cash flow forecasts and liquidity reports. Manage fixed asset accounting, capitalization, depreciation, disposals, and impairment reviews. Conduct monthly balance sheet reconciliations and resolve reconciling items. Administer inventory and fixed asset verification processes. Perform costing reviews and support inventory valuation processes. Generate ad hoc financial analysis and management reporting to support business decision-making. Key Deliverables Accurate and timely month-end close. Fully reconciled balance sheet accounts. Reliable management reporting. Strong forecast accuracy and financial visibility.
4. INTERNAL CONTROLS, GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE Control Environment Serve as a champion for Inchcape InControl Standards and finance governance requirements. Ensure key financial controls are executed, documented, and evidenced in accordance with Group requirements. Monitor compliance with Delegation of Authority (DoA) and company policies. Conduct periodic self-assessments and control reviews. Coordinate remediation of audit findings and control weaknesses. Ensure compliance with cash handling, petty cash, inventory, fixed asset, and banking control requirements. Lead periodic inventory counts and asset verification exercises. Maintain proper documentation and record retention standards. Support risk assessments and continuous process improvement initiatives. Key Deliverables Strong audit outcomes. Timely closure of audit findings. High control compliance scores. No significant control failures.
5. TAX COMPLIANCE & STATUTORY REPORTING Tax Management Ensure accurate and timely preparation and submission of all statutory tax filings. Maintain compliance with VAT, Withholding Tax, Payroll Taxes, Corporate Income Tax, Customs Duties, and other local tax obligations. Reconcile tax accounts and maintain supporting schedules. Monitor changes in tax legislation and assess business impact. Coordinate responses to tax authority audits, assessments, and information requests. Prepare tax provisions and support Group tax reporting requirements. Support transfer pricing documentation and related-party transaction compliance where applicable. Key Deliverables On-time tax filing compliance. No material tax penalties or exposures. Accurate tax accounting and reporting.
6. STATUTORY AUDIT MANAGEMENT External Audit Coordination Act as the primary finance coordinator for statutory and external audits. Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation. Coordinate information requests from external auditors and regulatory authorities. Ensure timely resolution of audit queries. Support preparation of annual financial statements and statutory disclosures. Track and implement audit recommendations through to closure. Ensure all audit deliverables are completed within agreed timelines. Key Deliverables Successful completion of statutory audits. Timely submission of audited financial statements. Reduction in audit adjustments and repeat findings.
7. LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE MANAGEMENT Team Leadership Lead, coach, and develop the Accountant and Cashier. Establish clear performance objectives and accountability measures. Review work quality and ensure adherence to finance processes. Drive a culture of continuous improvement, ownership, and compliance. Support succession planning and capability development within the finance team. Promote Inchcape Values and Behaviours across the team. Key Deliverables High-performing and engaged finance team. Strong succession and capability pipeline. Consistent delivery of finance objectives. EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS Education Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. Professional qualification (ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CA or equivalent) preferred. Experience 7+ years progressive finance and accounting experience. Automotive, distribution, or multinational environment preferred. Experience in financial reporting, tax compliance, treasury, audit management, and internal controls. Experience leading or supervising finance team members. Technical Skills Strong IFRS and financial accounting knowledge. SAP or equivalent ERP experience. Advanced Excel and financial analysis capabilities. Strong understanding of working capital and cash management. Knowledge of tax regulations and statutory reporting requirements. SUCCESS MEASURES (KPIs) Area KPI Order to Cash DSO, Collection Rate, Debtor Aging Purchase to Pay Supplier Aging, On-Time Payments, PO Compliance Record to Report Month-End Close Timeliness, Reconciliation Compliance Internal Controls ICS Compliance Score, Audit Findings Closure Tax Compliance On-Time Tax Filings, Zero Material Penalties Statutory Audit Audit Completion Timeliness, Audit Adjustments Cash Management Forecast Accuracy, Cash Conversion Leadership Team Engagement, Capability Development, Performance Delivery <div