Job Overview
The Accountant is responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records, preparing management and statutory reports, and supporting regulatory compliance for Stargate Finance Limited. The role focuses on general ledger integrity, reconciliations, statutory returns, prudential reporting to the Bank of Zambia, and providing reliable financial information to support decision-making.
The Accountant works closely with the Senior Finance Manager to ensure strong internal controls, timely month-end closing, and adherence to Bank of Zambia and other regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Maintain accurate and complete general ledger records, ensuring correct classification and posting of all transactions in line with accounting policies.
Process and reconcile PPE, the loan book, and bank accounts on a regular basis, promptly resolving reconciling items and discrepancies.
Support the month-end and year-end close processes by preparing and submitting reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and analysis within agreed timelines.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports as assigned, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with the trial balance and supporting schedules.
Prepare and submit statutory returns (e.g. PAYE, NAPSA, NHIMA, WHT and other levies) in line with regulatory requirements and internal deadlines, and promptly highlight any risks to timely submission to the Senior Finance Manager.
Assist in preparing Bank of Zambia and other regulatory returns and prudential reports for a non-deposit taking financial institution, ensuring data integrity between source systems and the general ledger.
Monitor and maintain assigned financial controls (e.g. approvals, reconciliations, documentation), flagging any weaknesses, breaches, or unusual items to the Senior Finance Manager.
Maintain proper filing and documentation of financial, statutory, and regulatory records, ensuring that all information is complete, organized, and easily retrievable for management, auditors, and regulators.
Support internal and external audits by preparing audit schedules, providing requested information, and implementing agreed audit recommendations within specified timelines.
Assist in maintaining accurate loan book and loan-related schedules/registers (including ageing and other breakdowns) as assigned, and ensure these reconcile to the general ledger.
Contribute to the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses by providing accurate data, explanations for variances, and suggestions for improvements where relevant.
Work in line with agreed finance procedures, checklists, and calendars, and actively suggest improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and control.
Perform any other finance and accounting duties as may be assigned by the Senior Finance Manager or CFO from time to time.
Key Skills and Competencies
Strong knowledge of accounting principles and applicable financial reporting standards.
Understanding of Bank of Zambia and related regulatory and reporting requirements for financial institutions.
High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and commitment to data integrity.
Strong reconciliation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in accounting systems and Microsoft Excel (including formulas, lookups, and basic analysis tools).
Proficiency in Sage 300 accounting software.
Ability to meet statutory and internal deadlines, manage multiple tasks, and work with minimal supervision.
Good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within the finance team.
Ability to meet deadlines through efficient time management and an effective work ethic.
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Completed ACCA or CA Zambia.
Full membership with the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA).
Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a similar accounting role, preferably within a financial institution, microfinance institution, or regulated financial services environment.
