Job Title: Senior Reporting Accountant
Reporting To: Finance Manager
Location: Uganda
Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary:
Senior Reporting Accountant is responsible for gathering, analysing, verifying, and the reporting of financial information for Uganda Operations. responsible for evaluating current policies, procedures and practices and recommending improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, and process flow. Support the Financial Manager in the financial management and general administration of the Uganda business.  Responsible for preparation of accounting information and providing high quality support service to all internal clients.

Key Result Areas and accountabilities:
Quality (Systems, procedures, processes, policy)

• Collect and provide information for audit inquiries and give assistance to auditors.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures relating to financial management, budget and accounting.
• Oversee the posting and maintenance of general ledger accounts, payroll transactions, accounts payable and general ledger adjustments.
• Provide financial analysis statements including monthly balance sheets, income statements, cash flows statements, and actual to budget and last year variance analysis.
• Manage the banking relationships to obtain timely bank information.
• Evaluate the current policies, procedures, and processes to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Assist in the creation of checklists and cheat sheets to assist the client accountants.
• Prepare relevant monthly and quarterly reports according to Group standards
• Manage company insurance programs and legal affairs
• Ensure accounting records systems are maintained in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Lead the financial year end external and ad hoc internal audit processes
• Ensure all the financial transactions are processed in a timely manner through the supervision of the Junior Accountant work as well as posting all month end journals. All this must be done in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
• Manage the month end according to Monthly Financial Closing Schedule.
• Prepare and submit monthly Tax and Statutory returns.
• In liaison with Forestry and Pole plant managers, ensure effective stock control measures are implemented.
• Ensure that the fixed assets register is accurate and updated regularly
• Ensure bank and creditors reconciliations are prepared on a timely basis
• Provide management accounting analysis statements including and actual to budget and last year variance analysis.
• Ensure Stock and COS reconciliations are prepared on a timely basis
• Ensure compliance with ISO audit requirements i.t.o financial information

Efficiency & Delivery (cost reduction & productivity)

• Implement & maintain strict capital and operational expense control measures
• Processing of revenue, expenditure, and position control documents, i.e. departmental and company budgets
• Coordinate the timely and accurate preparation of financial statements and management reports
• Develop and implement finance, accounting, billing, and auditing procedures
• Post all financial transactions in the accounting system
• Prepare and submit (after approval by the Finance Manager) monthly and annual VAT, income tax and other statutory submissions as well as ensuring timeous payment thereof
• Prepare monthly and weekly cash flow projections including daily cashbook position.
• Prepare weekly payments schedules ensuring all outstanding amounts are properly aged.
• Ensure suppliers and poles suppliers are paid as per the agreed credit terms
• Prepare and maintain the Month-end closing file with all expenses and balance sheet items reconciled and properly supported.
• Ensure delivery notes are properly filed to enable sales invoices and statements to customers are raised accurately and on a timely basis.
• Oversee Petty cash maintenance procedures in all the business units.
• Assist Finance Manager to maintain a discipline of budgetary control in line with business plans through effective procedures and policies
• Implement and maintain a strict Cost Control register at purchase order level and on goods received level.
• Cost control register should be updated with moving forecasts and budgets
• Weekly review and update to sawmill, Forestry and Pole plant on expenditure driven by LPOs and expenditure on actual expense.
• Processing of expenditure and position control documents, i.e. departmental and company budgets
• Ensure operations financial activities are run smoothly and proper accounting for all stock, fuel, machinery/tools and asset utilization are in place

Risk Management and Safety

• Adhere to risk and corporate governance programs according to the Group policy
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements of Uganda
• Ensure all tax and accounting matters are diligently managed within the provisions and concessions of respective industries
• Develop and maintain system of internal controls to safeguard financial assets of the company
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements of Uganda including submission of all statutory returns.
• In liaison with the Finance Manager ensure effective stocks control measures are implemented and periodic verifications carried out as agreed with the Finance Manager

People, Performance and Partnerships

• Manage relations with financial stakeholders, i.e. financial institutions, investors, auditors, Country Revenue Authority, public officials and fellow employees.

Market Penetration and Innovation (margins, revenue, products)

• Contribute to strategic planning and development as a member of the country management committee
• Ensure accurate costing for sales orders and tenders. Circulate all customer quotes to the Finance Manager and Operations Director for approval.

Profitability (work towards self-sustainability as a business)

• Ensure effective asset management of the operation
• Create, evaluate and develop the financial programs and supporting information systems of the company to include budgeting, tax planning, invoicing and the related management information systems
• Ensure and support collections from customers are raised accurately and are collected on a timely basis.
• Ensure Procurement policy is followed and adhere to across the departments
• Provide support for all tender and commercial processes to ensure relevant and accurate data is provided

Skills, Knowledge & Competencies required to perform this role:

• Excellent knowledge of the Company’s Act and related rules and regulations
• Ability to effectively manage change in order to enhance business processes and efficiencies
• Knowledge of finance and accounting software packages (Sage Evolution Pastel)
• Knowledge of tax related rules and legislations, and the ability to understand tax laws and interpret these.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems and communicate solutions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership ability and team management
• Must meet company expected standards on both numerical and verbal reasoning assessments.

Qualifications & Professional registration:

• Qualified Accountant with relevant qualifications preferably CPA
• Advanced experienced on company tax and tax legislation.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a finance position preferably within the forestry / agriculture / manufacturing sector.