Trainee General Accountant

• To provide financial leadership to business decision-making and planning process and support to the subsidiary’s Finance Manager
• To ensure that the financials of the subsidiary represent a true and fair picture of the financial position of the organization and that processes and decisions comply with the company’s policies.
• The day to day monitoring of the books of that entity, identifying and highlighting issues for review and making corrections if required. Leading and monitoring the finance and accounting processes for the subsidiary

• Ensure that the entities comply with all local statutory requirements Colgate Financial Policies’, US Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP), Local Accounting Standards and SOX compliance.

Internal: Marketing, Customer Service & Logistics, Colgate Business Services, Customer Development, Human Resource and EWA finance.

External: Revenue authorities and Third party vendors

Ensure Control and compliance of the Principal expenses

• Liaise with core, offsite, accounting group for General Accounting and Accounts Payable
• Manage and control Petty cash
• Ensure invoices for goods and services purchased are approved, appropriately recorded and reported in the general ledger
• Process invoices for payment with central accounting and Accounts Payable group
• Analyse, Reconcile, Control, Report and record all expenses incurred in business operations timeously in compliance with Colgate policies

• Review and posting of standard month end transactions and completion of any month end tasks in line with the month end timetable
• Follow up and resolution of any issues encountered during month end. Resolution and communication of any ad-hoc queries from the central team (Johannesburg).
• Internal control compliance and process improvement.
• Data input into CP accounting systems
• Review and posting of routine and adhoc financials transactions
• Active participation in the forecast process by providing data and analysis
• Assist with annual Budget and interim Latest Estimate preparation

• Accurate and timely Tax Submissions and reconciliations in accordance with local tax laws
• Preparation and submission of tax schedules
• Leading and ensuring completion of statutory audit. The General accountant will be the first point of contact for many audit queries and requirements.

Essential: Planning and priority setting, negotiation, effective execution and analysis, developing and coaching and decision making. Self-motivated and able to work independently; Attention to detail

Desirable: Teamwork, relationship building and leading change

Essential:

• Computer Literacy: SAP – PA module; Microsoft office: Word, Excel (advanced level) and PowerPoint.
• Good communication skills: written and spoken
• Good knowledge of management accounting
• Broad knowledge of local accounting standards and tax legislation.
• Analytical and conceptual ability – Attention to detail and operating discipline