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