Finance Director-Addis Ababa
- Recruiter
- Brighter Monday
- Location
- Outside Kenya
- Salary
- Competitive salary
- Posted
- 29 Aug 2019
- Closes
- 28 Sep 2019
- Ref
- 1670176547
- Job role
- Finance director
- Sector
- Accounting - Public practice
- Experience level
- Director
Our client is a leading Communication, Public Relations and Production agency based in Addis, Ethiopia. They seek to hire a diligent Finance director
Job Description
Our client is a leading Communication, Public Relations and Production agency based in Addis, Ethiopia. They seek to hire a diligent Finance director to join their winning team to streamline their finance department.
Key Function
The Financial Director will facilitate all accounting functions for client groups and provide accurate and timely financial information to internal and external stakeholders. The role will be responsible for coordination of revenue recognition, financial reporting, forecasting, process compliance, billing, expense management, capacity analysis and reviewing staffing requests. Prior management experience strongly preferred.
Roles and Responsibilities
Pricing/Contracts
Review and approve client budgets and upload properly into financial system Partner with account teams in developing budgets (with oversight) Facilitate negotiation of client and vendor contracts between clients/vendors, account staff/senior management and legal department, including full review of all business terms (with oversight) Ensure that projects are managed in accordance with contracts; create summary sheets (contract cheat sheets) for account teams Ensure written client agreement is obtained (via contract, letter of agreement, signed SOW, etc.) for all work and are appropriately archived and classified. Liaise with Contract Specialist. Management of the procurement department and a conscious cost saving agenda
Client Reporting & Audits
Assist account teams with monthly project budget to actual tracking and other required client reports Coordinate data collection for client audits Communicate with clients regarding budgets, billing and accounts receivable issues Maintain catalogue of required client reporting and ensure timely completion
Financial Management Analysis and Planning
Review monthly fee and expense detail Develop annual operating budgets Develop and drive monthly re-forecasting of annual operating budget. This includes collaborating with account teams to revise revenue projections, evaluating expenses and adjust as needed in conjunction with delivering on agency strategy and goals. Provide management with monthly financial package describing results to date, forward projections compared to budget and commentary around noticeable trends Prepare management reports and identify and communicate areas of concern and suggested improvements to account staff and management (e.g., client profitability, utilization, over/under service, missing time, revenue risk and staffing plans)
Revenue Recognition
Review monthly fees for accuracy and accrue revenue in compliance with the Revenue Strategy Billing/Cash Flow Management Facilitate monthly billing - liaison between account staff and billing department to review billing reports Review time and expense write-offs and unbilled WIP Ensure timely and accurate processing of internal agreements Accountable for timely and valuable AR collection status commentary and liaison with Accounts Receivable
General Management
Ensure department compliance with company financial policies (e.g., revenue recognition, job requisitions, time entry, travel and expense, credit, billing, capex, accounts payable, new business) Ad hoc requests and projects Management of the IT and HR departments
Leadership
Lead by example, demonstrate proven strong work ethic Share best practices, good ideas, and mistakes freely to establish trust, transparency and teamwork Commit to continuous learning and building technical and leadership skills through financial training of client account teams and direct report(s) within finance department. Proven track record of leading a team and mentorship of junior finance staff
Skills and Qualifications
- Minimum Qualification: Bachelor
- Experience Level: Executive level
- Experience Length: 10 years
Job Description
Our client is a leading Communication, Public Relations and Production agency based in Addis, Ethiopia. They seek to hire a diligent Finance director to join their winning team to streamline their finance department.
Key Function
The Financial Director will facilitate all accounting functions for client groups and provide accurate and timely financial information to internal and external stakeholders. The role will be responsible for coordination of revenue recognition, financial reporting, forecasting, process compliance, billing, expense management, capacity analysis and reviewing staffing requests. Prior management experience strongly preferred.
Roles and Responsibilities
Pricing/Contracts
Review and approve client budgets and upload properly into financial system Partner with account teams in developing budgets (with oversight) Facilitate negotiation of client and vendor contracts between clients/vendors, account staff/senior management and legal department, including full review of all business terms (with oversight) Ensure that projects are managed in accordance with contracts; create summary sheets (contract cheat sheets) for account teams Ensure written client agreement is obtained (via contract, letter of agreement, signed SOW, etc.) for all work and are appropriately archived and classified. Liaise with Contract Specialist. Management of the procurement department and a conscious cost saving agenda
Client Reporting & Audits
Assist account teams with monthly project budget to actual tracking and other required client reports Coordinate data collection for client audits Communicate with clients regarding budgets, billing and accounts receivable issues Maintain catalogue of required client reporting and ensure timely completion
Financial Management Analysis and Planning
Review monthly fee and expense detail Develop annual operating budgets Develop and drive monthly re-forecasting of annual operating budget. This includes collaborating with account teams to revise revenue projections, evaluating expenses and adjust as needed in conjunction with delivering on agency strategy and goals. Provide management with monthly financial package describing results to date, forward projections compared to budget and commentary around noticeable trends Prepare management reports and identify and communicate areas of concern and suggested improvements to account staff and management (e.g., client profitability, utilization, over/under service, missing time, revenue risk and staffing plans)
Revenue Recognition
Review monthly fees for accuracy and accrue revenue in compliance with the Revenue Strategy Billing/Cash Flow Management Facilitate monthly billing - liaison between account staff and billing department to review billing reports Review time and expense write-offs and unbilled WIP Ensure timely and accurate processing of internal agreements Accountable for timely and valuable AR collection status commentary and liaison with Accounts Receivable
General Management
Ensure department compliance with company financial policies (e.g., revenue recognition, job requisitions, time entry, travel and expense, credit, billing, capex, accounts payable, new business) Ad hoc requests and projects Management of the IT and HR departments
Leadership
Lead by example, demonstrate proven strong work ethic Share best practices, good ideas, and mistakes freely to establish trust, transparency and teamwork Commit to continuous learning and building technical and leadership skills through financial training of client account teams and direct report(s) within finance department. Proven track record of leading a team and mentorship of junior finance staff
Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting, MBA is an advantage
- At least 10 years of Finance or Accounting experience required, preferably within the advertising, marketing or communications industry
- Advanced knowledge of financial systems (e.g. PeopleSoft, SAP or any other ERP system)
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills
- Client service oriented and able to foster positive working relationships
- Well organized with strong time management skills and attention to detail, follows through on multiple projects and can juggle conflicting priorities in an extremely fast paced environment
- Strong financial analysis and management skills required, along with good business acumen
- Able to articulate financial concepts in layman's terms
- Must take initiative and be a self-starter