Payables Accountant at Twiga Foods

Key Responsibilities and Outcomes.
Procure to Pay

• Post all supplier out-going payments into individual supplier ledgers and reconcile against all invoices and credit notes as listed in the approved supplier reconciliations to ensure that invoices and credit notes that have been paid have been closed off against payment to prevent double payment and misreporting of creditors ageing.
• Verifying that sufficient approvals have been applied to invoices forwarded for payments, in line with the Delegation of Authority matrix and that any variances to budgets are approved before any payments are made.
• Process payments in line with the set schedule and in alignment to monthly cash forecast.
• Confirm that suppliers of fresh produce are paid according to sourcing schedules and the applicable deductions made.
• Process all relevant Tax Returns in a timely and accurate manner (i.e., VAT, Withholding VAT, Withholding Tax, PAYE, Reverse VAT etc.) including all other relevant compulsory statutory payments e.g., NSSF, NHIF etc.
• Remit to all internal and external suppliers and other payees, proof of payments generated from Twiga banking platform supported by the remittance advise detailing the make-up of the payments. This is to ensure that suppliers are applying payments to the correct invoices and minimizing future outstanding reconciling items as well as ensuring no unreconciled debits in creditor accounts.
• Confirm that all supplier invoices and credit notes forwarded for reconciliation have been posted into appropriate supplier ledgers and general ledger accounts on the ERP and against correct cost centers.
• Reconcile all accounts payables against supplier statements, highlighting any reconciling items for follow up and resolution by Payables Assistant.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensure continuous and effective communication and provide prompt response and turnaround of queries.

Document Management

• Ensure tight control over source and payment documents and oversee the safe and orderly archiving of all payment and payment related documents for the time required to meet audit, legal and tax queries.

Reporting

• Reconcile and present assigned reports and audit schedules as per closing checklist to reporting team for the monthly, quarterly and annual reporting process.
• Present comprehensive, accurate and informative reports with trends, insights, concerns, and recommendations clearly elaborated.

Other

• On a weekly/monthly basis, participating in the physical stock taking exercise for trading gods in conjunction with the wider accounting team.
• Participate in regular Fixed Asset verification and tagging exercise in the location(s) in conjunction with the wider accounting team.
• On a quarterly basis, participating in the business wide crate/pallet physical verification exercise and recommending write-offs losses

Self-management

• Model Twiga’s culture and way of working.
• Proactively manage own performance and deliver performance objectives and outcomes set.
• Attend monthly 1-on-1 performance enablement discussions and quarterly performance reviews with the line manager, and institute corrective action where performance falls below expectation.
• Proactively manage own learning and development.
• Adhere to the annual leave plan agreed with the line manager.
• Adhere to people management policies.

Compliance

• Comply with all organization policies, procedures, and statutory guidelines. Minimize and mitigate risks to the organization and enforce zero-tolerance to non-compliance.
• Close gaps/lapses identified as an outcome of audits; risk and/or any other compliance review; investigations; or other assessment mechanisms and take corrective/preventive actions within the agreed timelines.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized accredited university preferably in accounting, economics, commerce, or a related field.
• Qualified Accountant (CPA-2) or ACCA equivalent.

Relevant Skills & Experience

• At least three (3) years’ experience as a Payables Accountant - Trade / Non-Trade gained in a busy operational environment, with hands-on operational experience working with an ERP/substantial accounting software.
• Self-starter with advanced analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.  Good organizational skills, able to prioritize and delivery objectives set within timelines given.
• Strong consultative and influencing skills with the ability to build strong working relationships across all levels and bring together stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills with the ability to communicate information, whether technical or non-technical to staff members and customers, in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Results-oriented, flexible and adaptable to rapid change, with the comfort working in a fast-paced, high demand environment.
• Enthusiastic, decisive, pragmatic, resilient and forthright individual with a sense of urgency, and unquestionable integrity.
• Willing and able to travel.