Chief Accountant

An established and reputable Jamaican food company with islandwide operations is seeking a highly competent Chief Accountant to lead the Accounts Department.

This role requires strong technical expertise, proven leadership ability, and a disciplined hands-on approach to financial management, compliance, and operational efficiency.

The successful candidate will support senior leadership with strategic financial insights, ensure timely and accurate reporting, and lead a team of accounting professionals across multiple business units. This is an excellent opportunity for a career-driven accounting professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to make a measurable impact on business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Prepare and present accurate monthly financial statements.
• Conduct variance, trend, and forecast analyses to guide decision-making.
• Manage and reconcile the general ledger, ensuring accuracy of postings and journal entries.
• Oversee the preparation and monitoring of the annual budget.

Compliance & Audit

• Ensure timely filing of statutory returns (GCT, NIS, PAYE, annual returns).
• Manage external audits: audit readiness within 1 month of year-end, completion within 4 months.
• Develop and maintain an Accounting Procedures Manual to ensure compliance and consistency.

Operational Accounting Oversight

• Manage payroll processing and reconciliations, including statutory deductions and filings.
• Supervise accounts payable and receivable, ensuring accurate reconciliations and timely settlements.
• Monitor cash flow forecasts and provide regular updates.
• Oversee petty cash and store-level controls with periodic inspections.
• Maintain the fixed asset register, including monthly depreciation and bi-annual physical checks.
• Monitor and review food cost management and inventory controls

Leadership & People Development

• Supervise, mentor, and train the Accounts team.
• Conduct staff meetings, evaluations, and performance reviews.
• Ensure up-to-date job descriptions, policies, and performance standards.

Other Duties

• Ensure timely renewal of lease agreements and trade licenses.
• Record and reconcile foreign currency purchases and payments.
• Monitor and report on loan schedules, repayments, and foreign currency requirements.
• Support business expansion by ensuring accounting systems are scalable.

Qualifications & Experience

• ACCA Level 2 or BSc in Business Administration (Finance Major) required.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience as a Senior Accountant or equivalent management role.
• Strong background in financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance.
• Proficiency in SAGE and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Proven leadership experience managing accounting teams.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• High standards of integrity, confidentiality, and professional judgment.

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Detail-Oriented: Produces accurate and error-free reports.
• Leadership: Inspires, motivates, and ensures compliance within the team.
• Analytical Thinking: Translates financial data into actionable insights.
• Adaptability: Flexible in managing multi-location operations and competing priorities.
• Results-Driven: Consistently meets strict reporting timelines.
• Ethical & Discreet: Maintains integrity in handling sensitive information.

Performance Expectations

• Timely delivery of monthly financial statements.
• Completion of annual budgets and monitoring of actual vs. forecast.
• External audits completed on schedule (within 4 months of year-end).
• Full compliance with statutory filings and deadlines.
• Continuous improvement in staff efficiency, knowledge, and morale.