Senior Accountant / Head of Finance at Kaplo Africa

About the Role


We are looking for a highly experienced, commercially minded and technically strong Senior Accountant / Head of Finance to lead the organisation's finance and accounting function.
This is not a general accounting role. We are specifically looking for a finance professional who understands the financial services industry and has hands-on accounting experience within environments such as Commercial Banks, Merchant Banks, Finance Houses, Lending Companies, Microfinance Banks, FinTechs or other regulated financial institutions.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring strong financial controls, accurate reporting, regulatory compliance, treasury oversight, budgeting, financial planning and sound financial decision-making across the business.


Key Responsibilities


Lead and oversee the company's accounting and finance operations.
Prepare and present accurate monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports.
Manage the company's financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow planning.
Establish and maintain strong financial controls, accounting policies and processes.
Monitor income, expenditure, receivables, payables and overall financial performance.
Provide management with timely financial analysis and actionable business insights.
Oversee reconciliation of bank accounts, ledgers and other financial records.
Ensure accurate management of the company's books of accounts.
Coordinate statutory financial reporting, audits and tax-related activities.
Ensure compliance with applicable financial reporting standards and regulatory requirements.
Work closely with management to develop budgets and monitor performance against financial targets.
Provide financial guidance for business expansion, investments, lending and other strategic decisions.
Monitor financial risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
Oversee treasury and liquidity management.
Liaise effectively with external auditors, regulators, banks, tax authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
Supervise, mentor and develop members of the finance and accounting team.
Drive automation, efficiency and continuous improvement within the finance function.


Requirements


Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or a closely related discipline.
Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent is highly preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of relevant accounting/finance work experience.
Mandatory: Significant hands-on accounting experience within the financial services industry.
Candidates must have worked in one or more of the following:

Commercial Banks
Merchant Banks
Finance Houses
Lending Companies
Microfinance Banks
FinTech/Financial Services Companies
Other regulated financial institutions


Strong knowledge of financial reporting, accounting principles, financial controls and regulatory compliance.
Strong understanding of financial services accounting and reporting.
Proven experience managing finance teams and working with senior management
Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Excellent knowledge of accounting/ERP software and Microsoft Excel.
High level of integrity, accuracy, confidentiality and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and take full ownership of the finance function.