Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Finance Officer

🎯 Role Definition

As our Finance Officer, you will be the cornerstone of our financial operations, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of our financial data. You will report directly to the Finance Manager and work collaboratively across departments to support sound financial decision-making. This role is not just about crunching numbers; it's about providing critical insights that drive business strategy, optimize performance, and ensure long-term financial stability. You will be instrumental in managing everything from day-to-day transactions to high-level financial reporting and compliance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Junior Accountant
Accounts Payable/Receivable Specialist
Financial Assistant

Advancement To:

Senior Finance Officer
Finance Manager
Financial Controller

Lateral Moves:

Senior Financial Analyst
Internal Auditor
Treasury Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage and oversee the daily operations of the accounting department, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger entries, and bank reconciliations.
Prepare and deliver timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements, in accordance with established standards.
Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process, collaborating with department heads to develop robust financial plans and monitor performance against them.
Conduct detailed variance analysis, comparing actual results to budget and forecast, and provide insightful commentary and recommendations to senior management.
Ensure strict compliance with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements, tax filings, and relevant financial regulations (GAAP/IFRS).
Coordinate and manage the entire month-end and year-end closing procedures, ensuring all financial transactions are accurately recorded and reconciled.
Serve as the primary point of contact for external and internal audits, preparing audit schedules, providing necessary documentation, and addressing auditor inquiries.
Develop, implement, and maintain robust internal financial controls and procedures to safeguard company assets and ensure data integrity.
Monitor daily cash flow and manage treasury functions, optimizing cash position and forecasting short-term and long-term cash requirements.
Oversee the accurate and timely processing of payroll, including verification of hours, calculation of wages, and issuance of payments, ensuring compliance with payroll regulations.
Maintain the fixed asset register, including tracking asset acquisitions and disposals, and calculating and posting monthly depreciation.
Reconcile all balance sheet accounts on a monthly basis, investigating and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
Prepare and file all statutory returns, including VAT, sales tax, and corporate income tax, ensuring accuracy and adherence to deadlines.
Act as a key business partner to other departments, providing financial guidance and support for operational decisions and strategic initiatives.
Analyze complex financial data and create ad-hoc reports and financial models to support strategic decision-making, such as pricing, investment, and cost-saving initiatives.
Manage the processing of employee expense reports, ensuring compliance with company travel and expense policies before reimbursement.
Liaise effectively with banking partners, insurance providers, and tax authorities to manage relationships and ensure smooth financial operations.
Continuously review and improve accounting and financial processes to increase efficiency and accuracy across the organization.

Secondary Functions

Support the implementation and enhancement of financial systems and software (ERP) to automate processes and improve reporting capabilities.
Assist in the preparation of board packs and presentations for executive leadership and board of directors meetings.
Provide financial literacy training and ongoing support to non-financial managers to help them better understand and manage their departmental budgets.
Participate in special projects as assigned by senior finance leadership, such as M&A due diligence, system migrations, or new entity setups.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced proficiency in accounting software such as SAP, Oracle, Xero, or QuickBooks Online.
Expert-level skills in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, macros, and financial modeling.
In-depth knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Demonstrable experience with financial statement preparation, month-end close procedures, and financial reporting.
Solid understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting techniques.
Experience with data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI is a strong plus.

Soft Skills

Impeccable attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all outputs.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking capabilities.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
Clear and concise communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
A high degree of integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential information.
Proactive and self-motivated with the ability to work effectively both independently and as a collaborative team member.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA) or a Master's degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Accounting
Finance
Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of relevant experience in a finance or accounting role.

Preferred:

5+ years of progressive experience in a similar capacity, with a proven track record of managing full-cycle accounting and financial reporting.