Job Description
Role Context & Expanded Purpose
- The Accountant is the guardian of Bridgemead’s financial integrity.
- This role goes beyond bookkeeping and compliance, providing strategic financial oversight, operational discipline, and data-driven insights that ensure the firm’s resources are managed effectively.
- The Accountant is accountable for the accuracy of financial records, project accounting, cash flow management, and regulatory compliance, while enabling leadership to make informed strategic decisions.
- By monitoring variable revenue streams, safeguarding profitability, and implementing robust financial controls, this role ensures the firm’s financial stability and supports sustainable growth.
Expanded Key Responsibilities
Project Accounting & Revenue Recognition:
- Milestone-Based Invoicing: Monitor project contracts closely and trigger invoices immediately upon milestone or deliverable completion.
- WIP (Work-in-Progress) Management: Track hours worked versus budgeted hours to identify scope creep and margin erosion early.
- Revenue Accuracy: Ensure correct revenue recognition in line with IFRS and service-based accounting standards.
Advanced Financial Intelligence:
- Cash Flow Forecasting: Prepare monthly runway and cash flow projections covering 6–12 months.
- Burn Rate Analysis: Provide leadership with clear insights into fixed costs, variable costs, and sustainability thresholds.
- Profitability Analysis: Evaluate profitability by service line, client, and engagement after overhead allocation.
Risk, Tax & Regulatory Compliance:
- Regulatory Liaison: Act as the primary contact for VAT, PAYE, WHT, and Corporate Income Tax filings.
- Audit Coordination: Prepare schedules and documentation for external audits.
- Risk Management: Identify financial and compliance risks and recommend mitigation measures.
- Payroll & Internal Controls:
- Payroll Administration: Manage payroll processing, statutory deductions, and performance-based bonuses.
- Internal Controls: Maintain strong financial controls and approval processes to safeguard firm assets.
Qualifications & Experience
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field is required.
- Professional accounting certification preferred (ICAN, ACCA, CPA, or equivalent).
- Advanced courses in IFRS, financial management, or corporate finance are advantageous.
- Continuous professional development in areas such as tax law, compliance, and accounting technology is desirable.
Professional Experience:
- Minimum 2 years of experience in accounting, finance, or bookkeeping roles, preferably in professional services, consulting, or project-cbased environments.
- Proven experience in project accounting, revenue recognition, and managing
Work-in-Progress (WIP) for multi-client engagements:
- Experience in cash flow forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning, providing actionable insights for management decision-making.
- Exposure to regulatory compliance, including VAT, PAYE, corporate tax filings, and audit coordination.
- Familiarity with financial reporting for service-based businesses, including profitability analysis by client, project, and service line.
- Experience managing payroll, bonuses, and statutory deductions.
- Experience in liaising with external auditors, tax authorities, banks, and other regulatory or financial institutions.
Technical & Functional Skills:
- Advanced proficiency in accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, ERP platforms).
- Expert-level Microsoft Excel skills: Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, financial modelling, dashboards, and reporting automation.
- Understanding of IFRS standards and their application to service-based firms.
- Competence in financial analysis, variance analysis, and key performance indicator tracking.
- Knowledge of internal control frameworks and risk mitigation in financial operations.
Core Competencies & Soft Skills:
- Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and integrity in financial reporting.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive financial information professionally.
- Collaborative attitude to work closely with management, consulting teams, and external stakeholders.
- Time management and organizational skills to handle multiple projects, deadlines, and clients.