Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers
Employment Type: Full-time
About the Opportunity
- We are looking for more than an Accountant. We are looking for a Financial System Builder.
- Our client is a well-established civil engineering and construction company headquartered in Port Harcourt, with multiple projects and operational activities across Nigeria.
- As the company continues to grow its project portfolio and operations, it is seeking an experienced ICAN Chartered Accountant to strengthen its accounting and financial management systems.
- This is an opportunity for a hands-on accounting professional who can look beyond routine bookkeeping and build systems, controls and reporting structures that give management accurate financial information and keep the business compliant.
- If you can take an Accounting Department from “keeping the books” to “running a controlled financial system,” we want to hear from you.
- The successful candidate will take responsibility for the company's accounting operations and will play a key role in establishing robust financial controls, reporting systems, compliance processes and project-accounting structures appropriate for a growing construction and engineering business.
- You will work closely with Management, Project Teams, Procurement, Administration and external auditors to ensure that the company's financial information is accurate, timely, compliant and useful for decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Build & Strengthen the Accounting System:
- Review existing accounting processes, systems, and controls and identify gaps.
- Develop and implement appropriate accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Establish a disciplined chart of accounts capable of producing meaningful management and project-level reports.
- Strengthen documentation, authorization, and approval processes for financial transactions.
- Establish proper segregation of duties and accountability across the finance function.
- Improve the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of financial records.
Project & Construction Accounting (This is a critical part of the role.):
The successful candidate should be able to establish effective systems for:
- Project/job costing and cost allocation.
- Tracking project revenue, direct costs, and overheads.
- Project profitability analysis.
- Budget versus actual expenditure.
- Cost-to-complete monitoring.
- Tracking variations, claims, retentions, and project receivables.
- Monitoring subcontractor and supplier balances.
- Equipment and plant-related costs.
- Identifying cost overruns and financial leakages early.
- Preparing project financial reports for Management.
Financial Reporting & Management Information:
- Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual management accounts.
- Produce meaningful profit & loss, balance sheet, and cash-flow reports.
- Prepare project-specific financial reports and performance analyses.
- Provide Management with timely financial information to support business decisions.
- Develop appropriate financial KPIs and reporting dashboards.
- Analyse financial performance and highlight risks, trends, and areas requiring management attention.
- Prepare annual financial statements and schedules for audit.
Tax & Statutory Compliance:
Take ownership of the company's accounting-related statutory obligations, including:
- Companies Income Tax.
- VAT and other applicable transaction taxes.
- Withholding Tax.
- PAYE and payroll-related statutory obligations.
- Tax filings, schedules, and reconciliations.
- Tax documentation and compliance records.
- Liaising with relevant tax authorities and professional advisers where required.
- Ensuring that the company remains compliant with applicable Nigerian tax legislation.
- The successful candidate must be capable of keeping the company prepared for tax reviews, audits, and regulatory scrutiny.
Audit & Corporate Compliance:
- Coordinate annual external audits and ensure timely provision of audit schedules.
- Maintain complete and properly organized accounting records.
- Prepare audit working papers and supporting documentation.
- Follow up on audit queries and implement agreed corrective actions.
- Ensure financial reporting complies with applicable Nigerian accounting and reporting requirements.
- Maintain proper documentation for statutory and regulatory filings.
Cash Flow, Banking & Working Capital:
- Prepare and monitor cash-flow forecasts.
- Manage bank reconciliations and cash positions.
- Monitor receivables and payables.
- Strengthen credit-control and collection processes.
- Track outstanding client certificates, invoices, retentions, and other receivables.
- Monitor supplier and subcontractor obligations.
- Provide Management with early warning of potential cash-flow pressures.
Procurement, Payments & Internal Controls:
Working closely with Procurement and Management, ensure that:
- Purchases are properly authorized and documented.
- Supplier invoices are properly verified before payment.
- Payment processes have appropriate approval controls.
- Supporting documentation exists for every material expenditure.
- Procurement costs are properly coded and allocated to projects.
- Financial controls reduce the risk of errors, duplication, unauthorized expenditure, and fraud.
Assets, Equipment & Inventory:
The successful candidate will also oversee appropriate accounting controls for:
- Plant and heavy equipment.
- Vehicles.
- Tools and other fixed assets.
- Equipment acquired for projects.
- Depreciation and asset registers.
- Inventory and consumables.
- Asset movements and disposals.
Mandatory Requirements
- Full membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
- Minimum 5 years' relevant post-qualification experience in accounting/finance.
- Proven experience in a construction, civil engineering, infrastructure, manufacturing, oil & gas services, equipment-hire, or similarly project-driven environment.
- Strong practical knowledge of project accounting and cost control.
- Demonstrable experience developing or strengthening accounting systems and internal controls.
- Strong knowledge of Nigerian taxation and statutory compliance.
- Excellent knowledge of financial reporting and accounting principles.
- Strong proficiency in accounting software/ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.
- Demonstrable experience preparing management accounts, financial statements, budgets, and cash-flow forecasts.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of the finance function.
Candidates with experience in:
- Construction/project accounting.
- Infrastructure or engineering companies.
- Equipment hire/leasing operations.
- Procurement-heavy businesses.
- Multi-project environments.
- ERP/accounting-system implementation or restructuring.
- Internal control design and implementation.
- Audit and tax management.
- Management reporting and financial dashboards will have a distinct advantage.
This Role Is Not For You If...
- You are primarily a bookkeeper, transaction processor, or accounts officer looking for a routine accounting position.
We need someone who can:
- See the gaps.
- Build the systems.
- Control the numbers.
- Protect the business.
- And give Management a clear financial picture of what is really happening.
What You Can Expect
- A senior-level opportunity within a growing Nigerian engineering and construction organization.
- Significant autonomy to strengthen and professionalize the accounting function.
- Direct exposure to Management and major business/project decisions.
- Opportunity to implement improved financial systems, controls, and reporting processes.
- Competitive remuneration Salary: N300,000 monthly commensurate with experience and demonstrated capability.
- A challenging environment where your accounting expertise can make a measurable business impact.
Application Closing Date
Not Specified.
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated CV highlighting relevant construction/project accounting experience with a brief cover letter explaining how you would strengthen the company's accounting systems and controls and Evidence of ICAN membership/qualification to: pyfinest.hr@gmail.com using “Chartered Accountant – Construction” as the subject of the mail.
Note
- The company operates across multiple project locations in Nigeria, and the successful candidate must be prepared to support financial operations and reporting across the company's various projects and operational activities.
- Only candidates who meet the stated qualification and experience requirements will be shortlisted.