General Ledger Accountant

Who is Lafarge?

Lafarge Africa PIc is a member of Huaxin Cement Co. Ltd.,  - founded in 1907 and incorporated in China. Huaxin is listed on the Shanghai and on the Hong Kong stock exchanges, and is among the 10 largest cement groups in the world. In addition to cement, Huaxin operates aggregates and ready-mixed concrete as well as waste management businesses, and has its own cement and waste pre-/co-processing equipment manufacturing with proprietary technology. Huaxin is recognized among the world's top manufacturing enterprises and most valuable brands. Lafarge Africa is a publicly quoted company on the Premium Board of the Nigerian Exchange Limited and serves Nigeria with a wide range of building and construction solutions.

Who are Lafarge People?

Lafarge people are passionate about finding better ways to build. They embrace innovation and improvement with a pioneering spirit. They work as trusted partners, creating better solutions and experiences for their customers, communities, and colleagues

About the job

The General Ledger Accountant is responsible for managing the General Ledger of the legal entity within their scope.
The role ensures that the books accurately reflect the financial position of the entity and that all transactions recorded in the accounts are IFRS compliant, conform to relevant local statutory requirements, and adhere to Group policies. The accountant maintains world-class performance and internal control standards by implementing best practices and Group procedures.

The role ensures that all transactions in the ledgers are fully recorded in compliance with Group and Country accounting policies, the chart of accounts, and related accounting principles. This function is ultimately accountable for the accurate booking of all transactions in line with internal procedures and statutory regulations.

What you'll be doing

Accounting

• Ensure that all account reconciliations are performed at appropriate intervals and discrepancies are resolved promptly in line with group guidelines and professional best practices.
• Ensure accurate, reliable, and timely monthly closing processes.
• Support the preparation of statutory information and validate the data used to compile statutory results.
• Contribute to ad hoc financial reporting by providing the necessary support for the preparation of any ad hoc reports.
• Manage all changes in accounting policies received from both the Group and the Country.
• Lead and perform month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closings.
• Perform periodic balance sheet reconciliations and prepare accompanying schedules.
• Conduct monthly balance sheet reviews, with adequate schedules analyzing the financial position of the business.
• Perform monthly inter-company reconciliations with other business units, ensuring zero variances

Ensure timely reconciliation and closure of open intercompany items across all entities.

• Maintain adequate provisions and accruals on an ongoing basis.
• Ensure all General Ledger balances agree with sub-modules, such as bank balances.

Audit (Internal and External):

• Optimize group and internal control policies and procedures.
• Perform necessary controls and make any required adjustments.
• Ensure that all data and information within the scope of responsibility is reliable and accurate.
• Identify, implement, and communicate process improvements.
• Maintain a master list of journal entries.
• Facilitate the external audit process for the entity, ensuring a smooth audit and maintaining strong relationships with auditors.

Loans & Interest Accounting:

• Ensure the accuracy of loans and bond accounting.
• Keep loans and fixed deposit interest records up to date.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of unclaimed dividends.

Who you'll be working with

Key interfaces, stakeholders and relationships:

• Internal to the Country Shared Services
  • Manager, General Ledger Accounting
• External to the Country Shared Services
  • Master Data Management
  • Finance & Control
  • Product Line CFOs and Controllers
  • Product Lines Managers to ensure all risks are booked
  • Legal department
  • Internal auditors and internal control to review process and identify control weaknesses and recommend changes
• External to the Group
  • External auditors
  • Financial Reporting Council
  • Finance team 

What we are looking for 

• 5 years post NYSC working experience with minimum of 3 years in similar role.
• Bachelor's Degree Preferably in (Accounting/Social Sciences) 
• ACA/ACCA certification required 
• Good knowledge of an ERP environment – ideally JDE or SAP
• Practical knowledge of IAS, IFRS
• Internal controls
• Good knowledge of cement accounting
• Familiar with local statutory requirements on financial reporting
• MS-Excel Knowledge

Your Lafarge Experience
At Lafarge, there is endless opportunity for you to play your part. Whether you’re in a technical, managerial, or frontline role, you can shape a career that works for you. With us you’ll have the chance to embrace the passion we share for our planet. You’ll be encouraged to seek out diverse perspectives, share your ideas and build the skills and connections you need to perform at your best. Because it’s only when we work together in a culture where everyone thrives, that we can build the world we all want to live in.