Purpose
In this challenging role, you will put a strong emphasis on tight cost control and process improvements. You will ensure that opportunities are being capitalized on, while keeping customer service at the centre of the Organization’s operations. While ensuring that Return on Invest Capital is maximized, you will not lose sight of the fact that an excellent HSSE practice, without compromise, is the organization’s license to operate. Further, you will direct the activities in the Finance and Accounting Section within Finance Departments and ensure continued strive for excellence and efficiency, as well a general understanding of all finance department functions, IT systems and accounting principles and practices.
In addition, you will monitor general ledger postings, ensuring that accounting records are accurate and established standards (both local and APMM GAP) are adhered to. This will also entail executing the development and implementation of IT-financial systems, whilst ensuring that policies and guidelines are developed in accordance with overall strategies and policies set out and envisioned by the Country Manager.
Lastly, you will not only oversee the development of local policies, procedures and strategic objectives for the Finance function specifically, but also act as a business and sparring partner to the Country Manager, thereby co-crafting the strategic agenda for the Cameroon Country Organization. This is to be achieved through value-based teamwork and it is expected that you make constant process improvement in the way we do our business. It is therefore imperative that you provide vision and empowerment to others to take action with due regard to instructions set out by the Country Manager.
The main internal stakeholders will be the Cameroon Country Leadership Team, whom the Finance Manager is part of, where key relationships are essential for the achievement of a common objective. The main external stakeholders will be external contractors, customers and banks where the relationship oftentimes may be divergent to the interests of the Country organization), as well as various joint venture and business partners.
Key Accountabilities
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Manage the accounting sections with the aim of achieving the finance department objectives as stipulated by the Country Manager. Structure tasks and goals, establish efficient courses of action, set priorities, organize information, efficiently execute daily tasks with following considerations:
a) Data quality and timeliness
b) Segregation of duties
c) Supportive behavior
d) Efficient processes
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Monitor general ledger postings, ensuring that accounting records are accurate and established standards, both local and APMM GAP, are adhered to. This specifically includes (but is not limited to):
a) Checking subsidiary ledgers and supporting documentation
b) Reviewing reconciliation entries
c) Making accurate and appropriate accruals
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Execute the development and implementation of IT-financial systems, with a focus on using all relevant functionalities of the IT-financial systems. Strive towards reduction of section workload through implementation of IT solution is close co-operation with the Country Manager.
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Develop financial and accounting policies, standard operation procedures and guidelines within area of responsibility including accounting and other major areas.
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Oversee the preparation of statutory reporting in direct liaison with company auditors. Co-ordinates auditing of company accounts with external auditors in accordance with guidelines stipulated by the Cluster Manager.
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Continuous development of own knowledge to ensure full awareness of the budgeting and reporting section as well as a solid background in finance industry business in general.
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Maintain and enhance relationships between departments.
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Responsible for setting and achieving the financial objectives, within the strategy and business plans.
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Continuously analyze complex issues and work towards enhancements on existing practices & procedures and find means to better cost management.
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Establish and enforce procedures to improve working routines, provide high quality and valuable information and analyses to aid decision making, achieve efficiencies in terms of costs and ensure that all subjects relating to the financials of the Country Organization are dealt with in the most efficient manner.
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Lead and co-ordinate the risk management strategy and make recommendations to the Country Manager and management team in the risk assessment and management process.
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Financial supervision of projects including but not limited to investment contracts.
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Ensure that matters within scope of responsibility comply with local Law, Local Regulations and APMT’s Strategy and Culture.
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Ensure and establish proper internal controls and manage financial issues relating to shareholders and the Country Manager.
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Manage key suppliers to ensure that cost effective solutions are provided.
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Ensure that a proper inventory management system is in place.
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Manage, motivate, coach and instruct departmental staff and foster interdepartmental communication and co-operation throughout the Country Organization.
Your Profile
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Requires a professional standard of knowledge to lead teams through functional/general expertise in the finance and associated functions.
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Completed post-graduate studies in Accountancy or Finance management or related business studies.
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Minimum 5 years in finance roles including management experience.
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Extensive knowledge of setting of budgets, reporting, inventory control systems and accounting.
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Understanding of the container shipping industry and an ability to relate with shipping company and other associated industry managers.
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Ability to provide vision and empowers others to take action by effectively delegating.
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Ability to provide leadership, obtain cooperation and assistance to meet objectives, and promote a team environment.
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Requires good verbal and written communications skills, in addition to effective interpersonal skills.
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Requires excellent analytical skills, including the ability to extract, compile and analyse data.
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Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment
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Ability to handle company information with confidentiality and discretion.
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Ability to develop according to the business & management needs, but also to initiate change.
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Demonstrated cost consciousness in all areas of work, in terms of constantly improving the organization’s cost position.
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Requires ability to communicate in English, both verbally and written.
We offer
To the right candidate we offer an exciting and challenging position in a truly international, culturally diverse and busy environment where the candidate through commitment and high performance will have great possibilities of personal development. He/she will have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, as well as experienced leaders with a strong international background. Further, the incumbent will have the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge in finance operations, as well as in leading a department of professionals. Relevant next career steps could be a more senior Finance role at Cluster or Regional level, or a more complex conta8ner terminal environment. The position will be based in Douala, Cameroon.