Accounts Senior Officer

Job Summary

The Accounts Senior Officer supports the smooth operation of the accounting function by supervising junior accounting staff, reviewing their work, and ensuring the accuracy and compliance of financial reporting. S/he prepares and reviews financial statements, management accounts, and budget forecasts while overseeing financial closing processes and maintaining accurate general ledger records. S/he liaises with auditors, tax consultants, and regulatory bodies, ensuring adherence to accounting standards, tax laws, and company policies. S/he analyses financial data to provide valuable insights to management, identifies opportunities for process improvement, and ensures all client deliverables, including VAT and corporate tax returns, are completed to a high standard.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

Team Supervision & Support

• Supervising and reviewing the work of junior accounting staff, providing guidance, training, and support.
• Reviewing VAT returns and corporate income tax returns prepared by junior staff members.
• Providing training or refreshers to junior staff on software or on accounting/tax procedures.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Preparing and reviewing financial statements, management accounts, and budget forecasts.
• Analysing financial data and providing insights to management to support decision-making.

Accounting Operations

• Overseeing financial period-end and year-end closing processes.
• Managing general ledger entries, account reconciliations, and journal entries.
• Assisting in setting up new client accounts in the accounting system, including chart of accounts, VAT registrations and opening balances.
• Reviewing and ensuring the accuracy of opening balances or data migration from previous systems.
• Coordinating with corporate services, tax, or compliance teams to ensure client deliverables are aligned and deadlines met.

Compliance & Audit Liaison

• Ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax laws, and company policies.
• Ensuring client accounts are audit-ready before external auditors begin work, including organising working papers and reconciling key accounts in advance.
• Liaising with external auditors, tax consultants, and regulatory bodies, as needed.
• Overseeing external audits by providing necessary documentation and explanations.

Process Improvement

• Identifying and recommending process improvement opportunities within the accounting function.

Continuous Professional Development & Industry Awareness

• Keeping up to date with GAPSME, IFRS updates, and tax law changes relevant to the portfolio, and flagging them to the team or manager.
• Ensuring studies for the achievement of complete accounting qualifications proceed as planned.

Qualifications (preferred)

• Reading for a Bachelor of Accounting degree or more than halfway through the ACCA qualification pathway.
• Approximately three (3) years of relevant work experience is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Xero is considered an asset.

Skills Required

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial work.
• Sound knowledge of accounting principles, standards, and tax regulations and their application.
• Supervising and mentoring skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Clear and professional communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Accurate and insightful financial data analysis.
• Efficient use of accounting software.
• Ability and willingness to adapting to new systems and processes.

Role Expectations

• Maintaining accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting for assigned client accounts.
• Ensuring junior team members receive clear guidance, constructive feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Delivering high-quality management accounts, financial statements, and forecasts.
• Supporting smooth and timely financial closing processes.
• Strengthening compliance with accounting standards, tax laws, and internal policies.
• Building strong working relationships with clients, auditors, consultants, and regulators.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of accounting processes and systems.