Head of Finance, Lusaka

Position/Employment type:

Head of Finance, Lusaka , Zambia

Organization/Reporting line:

Reporting to Finance Director, Africa

Place of work/Travel:

GardaWorld Lusaka, Zambia

Contact and Cooperation:

Internally:

Main cooperation with the Finance Director, Business Unit Heads, and Heads of Support functions/ Departments

Externally

Suppliers, Clients, Auditors, Legal Advisors, and Government officials.

Job Summary:

The Head of Finance is tasked with implementing effective financial management systems and procedures to improve financial reporting and accounting. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that GWZ financial planning, analysis, and reporting are done correctly and on a timely basis to provide financial information to Management for decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out financial analysis including budget and month-on-month variance analysis done on a timely basis and provide adequate explanations on the variances as reported.
• Oversee the payroll function ensuring that all salaries and wages are computed correctly according to the laid down guidelines and are paid on time. This includes checking and approving payroll computations and ensuring timely payment of monthly salaries and wages.
• Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends, and forecasts working with Business Units Directors and heads of departments to develop annual budgets and business plans.
• Regularly review General Ledger and Company Accounts Designations to ensure that they are adequate and appropriate for providing relevant and reliable management information on a timely basis.
• Manage financial reporting, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Check and confirm monthly management and financial statements and liaise with auditors for any adjustments that may be necessary during the audit.
• Develop and implement appropriate internal control systems and financial procedures across the company and ensure adherence to the set policies. Take the lead in updating, reviewing, and documenting GWZ financial policies and procedures.
• Monitor all financial activities and practices to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and company policies.
• Support the Credit Control function and ensure debts are collected and issues resolved on a timely basis.
• Oversee and manage treasury and banking functions.
• Approve LPOs, payments, and EFTs, sign payment cheques, and ensure suppliers of goods and services are paid on a timely basis.
• Actively manage finance team members by GWZ HR policies and processes and ensure the team members are supported to maintain excellence in service delivery and have opportunities for professional development.

Authority:

As directed and delegated by the Finance Director, Africa

Accountability:

The Head of Finance is accountable to the Finance Director, Africa for their responsibilities stated in this job description. These responsibilities will be monitored and managed through the mid-year and annual performance review and supported through the monitoring of their KPI’s.

Competencies:

• Strong leadership skills with hands-on capability and management style.
• Demonstrate a high degree of sensitivity, and confidentiality when dealing with internal and external customers.
• A go-getter, enthusiastic, and results-oriented with excellent interpersonal, communication, and social skills.
• A forward planner with a clear focus, well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task.
• Have a high sense of accuracy, attention to detail, and strong analytical ability.
• Business acumen, strategic thinker with the ability to make sound decisions for the business
• Have good numeracy, problem analysis, and reporting skills.
• High moral standing with impeccable integrity.
• Ability to grow, support and develop talent within the department.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, or its equivalent from a recognized institution.
• CPA / ACCA or its equivalent and Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants or a relevant professional body.
• At least ten (10) years in Accounting and Finance, 5 of which should have been at a supervisory level.
• Technical skills in most if not all aspects of financial management with a focus on budgets and financial analysis, decision-making processes, accounting policies, and procedures.
• High standard of IT literacy including NAV software, MS Office, in particular advanced Excel skills.
• Conversant with Zambia Tax laws.