Tax, Accounting and Audit officer at Athena Tax and Legal Advisory

Job Purpose

• The Tax, Accounting & Audit Officer will be responsible for providing accurate, timely, and professional accounting, taxation, and audit support to both the organization and its clients.
• The position will involve preparing and reviewing accounting records, assisting clients with tax compliance and tax-related matters, supporting audits, preparing financial reports, and providing practical solutions to accounting and taxation issues.
• The officer will work closely with clients to understand their financial and tax requirements, ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and provide high-quality accounting, tax, and audit services.

Key Responsibilities

Client Accounting Services

• Maintain and prepare accounting records for assigned clients.
• Post and review accounting transactions, journals, accruals, prepayments, and adjustments.
• Prepare bank, supplier, customer, payroll, and general ledger reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for clients.
• Assist clients with bookkeeping and maintenance of proper accounting records.
• Review clients' financial records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with applicable accounting standards.
• Assist clients with accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and general ledger activities.
• Assist in preparation of management accounts and financial statements.
• Identify accounting errors and recommend appropriate corrections.
• Provide accounting guidance and support to clients when required.

Tax Compliance and Advisory – Clients

• Assist clients with preparation and submission of statutory tax returns within prescribed deadlines.
• Prepare and review VAT, PAYE, withholding tax, income tax, and other applicable tax computations and returns.
• Assist clients with tax registrations, tax compliance matters, and general tax administration.
• Review client tax ledgers and reconcile tax balances.
• Identify tax compliance issues and advise clients on corrective actions.
• Assist clients in responding to tax authority queries, notices, assessments, and requests for information.
• Assist with tax audits and tax investigations involving clients.
• Research applicable tax legislation and provide practical tax guidance to clients.
• Monitor changes in tax laws and regulations and communicate relevant changes to clients.
• Assist in identifying legitimate tax planning and tax efficiency opportunities for clients.
• Maintain proper tax working papers and supporting documentation for all client engagements.
• Ensure client tax filings and payments are accurate and submitted within statutory deadlines.

Tax and Accounting Advisory

• Respond to client queries relating to accounting and taxation matters.
• Research technical accounting and tax issues and prepare appropriate recommendations.
• Assist clients with tax and accounting implications of business transactions.
• Review contracts, invoices, transactions, and other documents from a tax and accounting perspective where required.
• Assist clients in resolving accounting and tax discrepancies.
• Prepare tax computations, schedules, reconciliations, and advisory reports.
• Escalate complex or high-risk tax matters to the Tax Manager or senior management.
• Keep up to date with changes in tax legislation, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.

Audit and Assurance Support

• Assist with internal and external audit assignments for clients.
• Prepare audit working papers and supporting schedules.
• Review financial records and supporting documents as part of audit assignments.
• Perform substantive testing and selected internal control procedures under supervision.
• Assist in identifying accounting, tax, and control weaknesses.
• Prepare audit schedules and respond to audit queries.
• Assist in drafting audit findings and recommendations.
• Follow up on outstanding audit information and client responses.
• Ensure audit documentation is complete, accurate, and properly filed.
• Assist senior team members during client audit and assurance engagements.

Internal Accounting and Tax Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate accounting records for the organization.
• Prepare internal financial reports and reconciliations.
• Assist with the organization's tax compliance and statutory filings.
• Monitor and reconcile the organization's tax accounts.
• Assist with budgeting, cash-flow monitoring, and financial analysis.
• Support month-end and year-end financial closing processes.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and procedures.

Client Relationship Management

• Maintain professional and productive relationships with assigned clients.
• Communicate clearly with clients regarding deadlines, information requirements, tax obligations, and accounting matters.
• Follow up with clients for required financial and tax documentation.
• Ensure client assignments are completed accurately and within agreed timelines.
• Identify client needs and communicate potential additional accounting, tax, or advisory requirements to management.
• Maintain confidentiality of client financial and business information.
• Handle client queries professionally and escalate complex matters when necessary.

Compliance, Risk and Quality Control

• Ensure work complies with applicable tax laws, accounting standards, professional requirements, and internal procedures.
• Maintain proper working papers and supporting documentation for all assignments.
• Review work for accuracy before submission to clients or relevant authorities.
• Identify potential compliance risks and escalate them promptly.
• Assist in maintaining high-quality standards across all client engagements.
• Ensure confidential client information is securely handled.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timely submission of client tax returns and statutory obligations.
• Accuracy of tax computations and accounting records.
• Timely completion of client accounting assignments.
• Accuracy and quality of financial reports.
• Timely completion of audit assignments.
• Number of errors or corrections required in submitted work.
• Timely resolution of client tax and accounting queries.
• Client satisfaction and quality of service.
• Proper maintenance of client working papers and documentation.
• Compliance with internal deadlines and professional standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related field.
• CPA, ACCA, or equivalent professional qualification is preferred.
• Membership in a relevant professional accounting body is an advantage.
• Additional training in taxation, audit, or financial reporting is an advantage.

Experience

• 2–5 years of relevant experience in accounting, taxation, audit, or professional services.
• Experience working with multiple clients is highly desirable.
• Practical experience in tax compliance and accounting.
• Experience preparing financial statements and management accounts.
• Experience supporting tax audits, investigations, or tax authority queries is an advantage.
• Experience using accounting software and Microsoft Excel.

Technical Skills

• Good knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Good understanding of tax compliance and tax administration.
• Knowledge of audit procedures and internal controls.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to work with accounting and ERP systems.
• Strong financial analysis and reconciliation skills.
• Ability to research and interpret tax and accounting requirements.
• Strong report-writing and documentation skills.

Key Competencies

• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple client assignments simultaneously.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Client-focused approach.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Ability to meet strict statutory and client deadlines.
• Commitment to confidentiality.
• Willingness to continuously learn and keep up with changes in tax and accounting requirements.