Accounting Manager at SC Johnson

Job Summary:

• The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the accounting department, ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with regulatory requirements, and efficient financial processes. This role involves managing a team of accountants, coordinating audits, and supporting strategic financial planning from a P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow point of view, while overseeing capital and cash management for the Africa Cluster. This includes 4 legal entities plus export markets across Africa region.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting:

• Analyse, report and track monthly performance against both the Annual Budget and Company's long-term strategic plan. Initiate corrective actions, minimize impact of variances and develop performance measures that support the operation's strategic direction
• Ensure compliance with IFRS/GAAP and internal accounting policies.
• Ensured timeliness, accuracy and usefulness of financial and management reporting to leadership and relevant authorities. Oversee the preparation and communication of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements (Sales & Operating Planning)
• Ensure effective capital management and prepare quarterly cash flows projections, reviewed and planned cash outflow as well as investment activities. Liaison with treasury and SSS (Shared Services).
• Analyze financial data and provide insights to senior management from Head Quarters.
• Provide strategic financial insight to support business decision making and long term competitiveness.
• Collaborate with different business partners to manage a champion continuous service improvement of the accounting department. Implement OPEX initiative and support automations across the finance departament.
• Manage cash management through corporate cards, ensure adhere to policy for T&E cash application and spend.
• Supervise and control SG&A expenses for all the legal entities across the cluster.
• Working Capital optimizations by collaborating with functional areas of the business.

Team Leadership:

• Supervise and mentor accounting staff – 6 FTEs
• Delegate tasks and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Drive risk and control mindset across the business, providing proactive mitigation plans and MoneyMaps.
• Promote and develop talents by enhancing teamwork through an established workforce plan, setting challenging and comprehensive Performance Management Process, recruitment, succession planning, coaching and staff welfare.

General Ledger & Reconciliation:

• Oversee general ledger activities and account reconciliations in alignment with global policies.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of financial records, P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Assist in the preparation of budgets and quarterly forecasts. Ensure proper financial reporting trough SAP BPC.
• Monitor budget variances and recommend corrective actions.

Audit & Compliance:

• Coordinate internal and external audits.
• Ensure compliance with tax laws, financial regulations, and company policies.
• Maintains internal controls and manages risks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of existing business practices and manages internal and external audit to ensure alignment and standardization of processes.
• Submission of Annual Financial Statements for Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa.

Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting processes
• Implement best practices and automation tools where applicable

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field. (CIMA or SAICA)
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory roles.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., SAP).
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred skills:

• Experience in a multinational or corporate environment.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and financial modeling.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines