Trade Accountant at Dixie Recruitment

Job Description

• A dynamic opportunity awaits professionals seeking to elevate their careers within a leading agricultural product wholesaler, renowned for its commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. Our client is looking for a capable Trade Accountant:

Trade Accountant

Role Purpose

• The Trade Accountant is responsible for the accurate accounting, reconciliation and reporting of commodity trading transactions. The role supports front, middle and back-office functions by ensuring timely trade monitoring, inventory valuation, profit and loss reporting, and compliance with internal controls and applicable accounting standards.

Key Responsibilities

Trade Accounting & Profit and Loss

• Record and reconcile physical and derivative commodity trades within the trading or ERP system.
• Prepare monthly profit and loss reports for each trading strategy.
• Reconcile trader profit and loss to accounting records and investigate variances.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of trade-related accounting transactions.

Settlements & Operations Accounting

• Maintain accurate trade and operational records.
• Reconcile purchase and sales contracts.
• Reconcile freight, insurance, demurrage and other trade-related costs.
• Liaise with operations, logistics teams and counterparties to resolve discrepancies.
• Monitor open contracts and ensure the timely recognition of revenue and costs.

Inventory & Cost Accounting

• Ensure accurate accounting of inventory and related accruals.
• Perform reconciliations for warehouse, silo and in-transit inventory.
• Assist with inventory valuation and cost reporting.

Financial Reporting

• Support month-end and year-end financial close processes.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations relating to trading activities.
• Assist with internal and external audit requirements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and company policies.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with traders, operations, logistics, suppliers and external stakeholders.
• Provide financial support to operational and strategic initiatives.
• Resolve financial queries relating to trading activities.

Risk, Compliance & Process Improvement

• Ensure compliance with internal controls and segregation of duties.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems and automate processes.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the finance function.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree in Finance or Accounting

Experience

• 2–5 years' experience in trade accounting.
• Experience within a commodity trading, energy or shipping environment is preferred.

Technical Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Microsoft Office 365.
• Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
• Experience working with ERP systems such as PeopleSoft or similar.
• Exposure to Power BI and process automation would be advantageous.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of the physical commodity trading lifecycle.
• Experience preparing and analysing profit and loss reports.
• Strong balance sheet reconciliation skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving ability.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach.

Advantageous Experience

• Knowledge of derivative products and hedging instruments.
• Experience working within a multi-currency, multi-entity environment.