Head of Accounting and Compliance

Industry: Agribusiness 

Job Profile 

The Head of Accounting & Compliance will play a key role in aligning financial strategies in Ghana and Burkina Faso with the holding company's global objectives, ensuring compliance with international standards such as IFRS. This role involves overseeing the month-end closing process, consolidating financial reports, and ensuring adherence to robust accounting procedures. The manager will also assist in developing tax strategies to optimize efficiency, manage financial risks, and maintain strong relationships with local regulatory bodies. Additionally, they will lead and support finance teams in the region, promoting collaboration, standardized reporting, and ethical practices. Immediate tasks include managing VAT registration, transfer pricing compliance, and Free Zones registration in Ghana.

 Main Duties: 

Financial Strategy & Planning: 

 Support the development and implementation of financial strategies in Ghana and Burkina Faso, ensuring alignment with the holding company’s global objectives. 

 Collaborate with country leads to provide financial insights and contribute to business growth initiatives.

Compliance & Reporting: 

 Consolidate and prepare financial reports for submission to the global headquarters, ensuring accuracy and adherence to international standards, including IFRS.

 Ensure compliance with both local and international financial regulations and the holding company’s internal policies. 

Month-End Closing: 

 Oversee the month-end closing process for both Ghanaian and Burkina Faso entities, ensuring all financial transactions are accurately recorded and reconciled. 

 Review and finalize month-end financial statements, ensuring they reflect the true financial position of the entities and comply with global standards. 

Accounting Standards, Procedures & Policies: 

 Ensure that all accounting procedures in Ghana and Burkina Faso adhere to international accounting standards, including IFRS, and the holding company’s internal policies. 

 Develop, implement, and maintain robust accounting policies and procedures across the region to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance. 

 Provide guidance on the application of accounting standards and support local teams in resolving complex accounting issues. 

FOREX Management & Currency Optimization:

  Develop and implement strategies to manage foreign exchange (FOREX) exposure, optimizing the balance between local currencies (GHS, XOF) and hard currencies (USD, EUR) to minimize currency risk. 

 Monitor and analyze currency markets regularly, providing insights to senior management on currency trends and potential impacts on the financial performance of the entities. 

Tax Strategy & Compliance: 

 Assist in developing cross-border tax strategies that optimize tax efficiency between the Ghanaian and Burkina Faso entities and the holding company. 

 Ensure compliance with local and international tax laws, including optimizing tax planning strategies. 

Risk Management:

  Identify potential financial risks and work with senior management to develop mitigation strategies, with a focus on currency, regulatory, and cross-border transaction risks. 

 Assist in creating contingency plans to safeguard financial stability in the region. 

Stakeholder & Regulatory Relationships: 

 Maintain relationships with local regulatory bodies and key stakeholders in the Netherlands to ensure compliance and smooth operations. 

 Serve as a financial liaison between the Ghanaian and Burkina Faso entities and the holding company. 

Team Leadership & Development: 

 Support the finance teams in Ghana and Burkina Faso, promoting collaboration and alignment with the holding company's standards. 

 Contribute to the development of training programs to enhance the skills and capabilities of the finance teams. 

Communication & Reporting: 

 Facilitate communication with the holding company, providing regular updates on regional financial performance. 

 Ensure standardized reporting processes are in place across the region. 

Ethics & Governance:

 Uphold corporate governance standards within the Ghanaian and Burkina Faso entities, ensuring adherence to both local and holding company regulations. 

 Promote ethical practices in all financial activities, maintaining transparency and accountability. 

Immediate Compliance Tasks: 

 Assist with VAT Zero registration in Ghana, ensuring all necessary documentation is completed. 

 Ensure compliance with transfer pricing regulations in Ghana.

 Research and support the registration process for Free Zones in Ghana.