Accounting Assistant (St. Lucia)

Do you have a passion for accounting? Excellent Stores (St. Lucia) Limited is seeking a skilled, detail-oriented and motivated Accounting Assistant!

TITLE:Accounting Assistant

REPORTS TO:Manager, Operations and Sales (or designate)

LOCATION:Head Office, Massade, St. Lucia

TYPE:Full Time, Permanent

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Reporting to the Manager, Operations and Sales, the Accounting Assistant will be responsible for the accurate recording and reconciliation of accounting data in a timely and efficient manner across various companies within the Excellent Group with the majority of focus on the St. Lucian entities. In so doing, the position requires not only processing the day-to-day activities of the local companies such as ensuring vendors and suppliers are paid within established time limits, but also ensuring the processing and monitoring of receipts and statements are accurate and up to date, and that aged receivables are maintained well within the credit established time limits. He/She will provide support to the Manager, Operations and Sales (or designate) in the fulfilling of their mandate of the preparation of Group Consolidated Financial Statements. This entails a variety of activities that include but are not limited to reconciliations of the companies’ banks, intercompany transactions and vendors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

General Responsibilities

• Review, reconciliation and posting of Excellent Stores (Saint Lucia) Limited end of day statements.
• Administer cash in transit activities.
• Reconciliation of Travel expenses and Supplier statements.
• Conduct all Bank Reconciliations.
• Accurate recording and reconciliation of intercompany trade and financing transactions.
• Support the Trinidad accounting operations as assigned.
• Assist in the preparation of month end financial statements.
• Assist in the preparation of year end audit working papers.
• Review and apply charges to all foreign shipments.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly on time statutory filings such as NIC, PAYE and VAT.
• Updating the FOREX Rates and cash balances daily and email to directors.

Accounts Payables

• Ensure all invoices are booked for the month (Expenses, Goods & Services).
• All payments are booked for the month.
• Receive and verify invoices for the payable of goods and services such as utilities and vendor invoices.
• Accruals for expenses due but invoices not yet received.
• Verify that transactions comply with accounting policies and procedures.
• Ensure accurate entry of invoices in order to process payments and close the month by the 9^th day of the following month.
• Process backup reports after data entry.
• Prepare manual cheques and online payments when required.
• Prepare vendor cheques for mailing.
• Maintain updated vendor files.
• Maintain a filing system for all financial documents.
• Ensure the confidentiality and security of all financial and employee files.

Accounts Receivables

• Billing of management fees, Licence and commission fees.
• Maintain ESSL accounts receivable customer files both electronic and physical.
• Enter all receipts into Microsoft NAV.
• Review customer and credit application forms for completeness.
• Responsible for resolving accounting customer queries.
• Ensure monthly up to date account statements are sent to customers.
• Review Bank Statements and conduct Bank Reconciliations to ensure receipts are cleared into bank accounts.
• Responsible for accurate data entry of deposit slips and posting of payments received.
• Issuing receipts to customers.
• Responsible for following up on the collection of due amounts.
• Prepare account receivable reports by the 7^th of the following month.
• Monitor customer accounts and aged receivable reports for non-payments, delayed payments and other irregularities.
• Administer and record all remedial actions recommended by Management.

Perform any other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge/Experience

• Completed ACCA Level 1 or CAT
• Five (5) O’Level passes including Math and English A.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in an accounting environment
• Proficiency in the use of Accounting Software
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience working in a dynamic environment of change.

Required Competencies

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing environments and changing priorities.
• Ability to prioritise and meet strict deadlines.
• Must be accurate and detail oriented.
• Accurate numeracy skills.
• Good time management skills.
• Must possess excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to observe and maintain high confidentiality in the performance of duties.
• Must be flexible, honest and reliable.
• Must be pro-active, highly motivated, with great enthusiasm and a proven team player.