Accountant at Empire Agro Mills Limited

Empire Agro Mills Limited is a forward-thinking agro-production and processing company located in Edo State, Nigeria. Our Operations span 200 hectares of forestry plantations spread across three (3) different sites within the state. Additionally, we have a modern automated rice mill awaiting commissioning. Our ambitious goal for the near future is to develop a forestry farm with five (5) million trees within the next 4 years.

Our bigger vision encompasses the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector especially in the field of forestry. Concurrently, we aim to offer training and employment opportunities to the youth contributing to their skill development and creating a positive impact on the community.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Female Accountant (Farm Accounting Associate)

Location: Auchi, Edo
Employment Type: Full-time

Description

• Got a passion for agriculture and finance? Do your eyes light up thinking about all the possible ways you can save costs and create more profit?
• Are you quick to engage in a discussion on how Nigeria can be better if we paid more attention to farming and agriculture? And got the tenacity and grit to start from scratch, and develop new accounting systems and processes until everything begins to hum smoothly like a well-oiled machine?
• Then you might be the person we are looking for.

Role Objective

• The role’s main purpose is to oversee financial operations, maintain accurate records, optimize resource allocation, enhance cost efficiency, and contribute to the company's long-term financial growth.
• Functional Team: Finance and Admin
• Location: 10km from Auchi Edo State
• Role Type: Full-Time (In person)
• Reports to: CEO
• Est Work Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Mondays to Fridays every week. A need may also arise to work extended hours where applicable and will be duly compensated.
• Working Conditions: This job may require sitting, standing, and moving from site to site and as such require someone physically fit.

Key Responsibilities
Ensure daily accurate financial analysis, recording, and management:

• Obtain accounting information and the status of the project sites; this includes the financial state of capital allocated to various components of the business in each site, the value of the biological area in each site at each point in time, and the total capital invested in the whole business.
• Maintain up-to-date financial records for the agro-production and processing firm, including all income, expenses, and transactions related to the forestry plantation and rice mill operations.
• Prepare and update detailed financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, to provide insights into the company’s financial health.
• Manage payroll processing, ensuring accurate and timely payment of salaries and benefits to employees.
• Monitor accounts payable and accounts receivable, following up on overdue payments and managing vendor relationships.

Ensure adequate budget forecasting, planning, and management:

• Assess the financial viability of the planned 5 million tree forestry farm development project, evaluating projected costs, potential returns, and associated risks.
• Work closely with management to develop annual budgets for the forestry plantation, rice mill operations, and the upcoming forestry farm development project.
• Monitor actual financial performance against budgeted figures flagging any variances and working with relevant departments to identify causes and potential solutions.
• Monitor cost centers, track expenses, and allocate costs accurately to ensure effective budget management
• Assist in making financial plans by providing input on resource allocation, and projections for future projects and investments.

Ensure reliable and relevant regulatory compliance, reporting, and audit:

• Prepare and submit accurate and timely tax returns, ensuring compliance with all required reporting standards and payment deadlines.
• Maintain proper documentation for audits, reviews, and financial inspections, and collaborate with auditors where necessary.
• Communicate financial performance and recommendations to stakeholders, including CEO, investors, lenders, and regulatory authorities.

Ensure proper inventory and asset management:

• Maintain, monitor, and manage an accurate record of inventory levels for agro-produced goods, processed products, and any machinery or equipment used in the operations.
• Implement inventory control measures to prevent overstocking or shortages, optimizing working capital and minimizing storage costs.
• Track depreciation and amortization of assets, ensuring proper accounting treatment and compliance with relevant guidelines.

Establish and improve standard accounting processes and systems:

• Set up a structured chart of accounts, ensuring transactions are categorized accurately.
• Create a simple accounting system that includes an effective book or original entries proof checking of financial requisitions and disbursement.
• Develop organized templates for manual record-keeping, ensuring consistent data entry formats for transactions.
• Research and select and set up user-friendly accounting software that aligns with the company's needs and integrates well with manual records.
• Organize physical documents and digital files in a way that facilitates quick retrieval and audit readiness.
• Establish periodic checks to verify that data matches across both systems, identifying discrepancies for immediate correction.

Job Requirements
Qualifications Required:

• Minimum of HND, B.Sc or BA in Accounting
• 3+ years of proven experience as an accountant. (Experience in an agro, forestry, or farm is highly required)
• Certifications like ICAN, ANAN, or ACCA are an added advantage

Skills Required:

• Hands-on experience with accounting software like FreshBooks, QuickBooks, or its equivalent.
• Advanced Ms. Office, computer, and digital accounting skills.
• Understanding of numbers and mathematical calculations.
• Thorough knowledge of basic accounting procedures and principles
• Strong knowledge of applicable tax laws for VAT, pensions, etc.
• Ability to interpret and analyze financial statements and periodicals.

Competences Required:

• Strong attention to detail and good analytical skills
• Time management - prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and efficiently managing daily responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• A high sense of confidentiality, honesty, and integrity
• Excellent reporting and communication skills
• Strong commitment to ethical conduct

Job Perks and Compensation

• N70,000 monthly basic salary with room for exponential increase based on performance
• Extended work hours compensation (where and when applicable)
• Year-End Bonus (Christmas Bonus).
• FREE Accommodation (where needed).

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their updated Resume and a Cover Letter stating why they are the best person for the job to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Note: We will be reviewing applications as they come until the closing date.

Application Deadline 31st August, 2023.