We are seeking a qualified and experienced Accountant to join our team in the construction industry. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, managing accounting operations, monitoring project costs, supporting financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
The ideal candidate should have strong accounting knowledge, excellent numerical and analytical skills, attention to detail, and practical experience in financial management, preferably within the construction, engineering, real estate, or related industry.
The Accountant will work closely with the Finance, Project Management, Procurement, Quantity Surveying, and Operations teams to ensure effective financial control and accurate reporting across the Company's projects and business operations.
Principal Accountabilties
Financial Accounting & Reporting:
Maintain accurate and up-to-date accounting records for the Company.
Record and reconcile all financial transactions, including receipts, payments, purchases, sales, expenses, and journal entries.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management review.
Prepare and maintain the general ledger, trial balance, and supporting schedules.
Perform monthly bank reconciliations and investigate discrepancies promptly.
Ensure proper classification and documentation of all financial transactions.
Assist with the preparation of annual financial statements and audit schedules.
Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and Company financial policies.
Construction Project Accounting:
Monitor and record financial transactions relating to individual construction projects.
Track project costs against approved budgets and identify significant variances.
Maintain accurate records of materials, labour, equipment, subcontractor, and other project-related costs.
Review project expenditure and ensure that costs are allocated to the appropriate project, cost centre, or account.
Assist management in monitoring project profitability and cost performance.
Review project variations, claims, certificates, and other financial documentation for accuracy and completeness.
Work closely with Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Procurement, and other relevant departments to ensure proper financial control over projects.
Prepare project cost reports and provide financial information required for project reviews.
Accounts Payable & Receivable:
Manage the Company's accounts payable and accounts receivable records.
Verify invoices, purchase orders, delivery notes, payment requests, and other supporting documents before processing payments.
Ensure timely payment of approved supplier and subcontractor invoices in line with agreed terms.
Maintain accurate records of supplier and subcontractor balances.
Monitor customer invoices and outstanding receivables.
Follow up on overdue customer payments and provide regular ageing reports.
Reconcile customer and supplier accounts and resolve discrepancies.
Budgeting & Cost Control:
Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and financial forecasts.
Monitor actual expenditure against approved budgets.
Identify cost overruns, unusual expenses, and financial risks and escalate them to management.
Support the implementation of effective cost-control measures.
Provide financial analysis to assist management in making informed business decisions.
Assist in cash flow forecasting and monitoring of the Company's liquidity position.
Tax & Statutory Compliance:
Assist in ensuring timely and accurate preparation and filing of applicable statutory returns.
Support the Company's compliance with relevant tax and regulatory requirements.
Maintain proper documentation for tax assessments, audits, and statutory reviews.
Liaise with external tax consultants, auditors, and regulatory bodies where required.
Ensure appropriate accounting treatment and documentation for statutory deductions and payments.
Payroll & Employee-Related Accounting:
Assist with the preparation and review of monthly payroll.
Ensure accurate accounting for salaries, allowances, deductions, pensions, taxes, and other employee-related payments.
Reconcile payroll-related accounts and statutory deductions.
Maintain proper payroll documentation and confidentiality.
Internal Controls & Audit:
Maintain effective financial controls to safeguard the Company's assets.
Identify weaknesses in accounting processes and recommend improvements.
Ensure that financial transactions are properly authorised and supported by relevant documentation.
Prepare information and schedules required for internal and external audits.
Respond to audit queries and assist in implementing agreed recommendations.
Ensure compliance with the Company's approval and financial control procedures.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree or HND in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
Professional accounting qualification such as ICAN or ACCA is an advantage.
Membership of a relevant professional accounting body is preferred.
Experience:
3 - 5 years of relevant accounting experience, preferably within the construction, engineering, real estate, or related industry.
Experience with project accounting, cost control, subcontractor payments, and construction-related financial transactions is highly desirable.
Experience preparing management accounts, financial reports, reconciliations, and statutory schedules.
Previous experience working with accounting software or ERP systems.
Technical Skills:
Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting.
Good understanding of construction project costing and budget monitoring.
Strong Excel skills, including the ability to prepare financial schedules and reports.
Experience with accounting software/ERP systems.
Good understanding of Nigerian tax and statutory requirements.
Strong analytical and numerical skills.
Ability to identify financial discrepancies and investigate variances.