Accountant

VACANCY: ACCOUNTANTFast Freight Group is looking for a highly organised, hands-on and commercially minded Accountant to join our finance team.The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring timely statutory compliance, managing working capital and supporting management with reliable financial information. The role will also work closely with the operations team to monitor driver dispatch, trip costs and operational expenditure.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESFinancial Accounting & ReconciliationsPerform daily and monthly bank reconciliations.Prepare creditor and supplier reconciliations and resolve outstanding differences.Maintain accurate accounting records and ensure transactions are properly supported and posted.Manage Accounts Payable (AP) and Accounts Receivable (AR).Monitor customer balances, supplier accounts and outstanding receivables/payables.Assist with month-end and year-end financial close processes.Tax & Statutory CompliancePrepare and submit statutory and tax returns within the required deadlines.Maintain accurate tax records and supporting documentation.Monitor tax compliance and assist with responding to queries from regulatory authorities.Ensure the company remains compliant with all applicable statutory requirements.Cashflow & Working Capital ManagementPrepare and maintain cashflow forecasts.Monitor daily cash requirements and upcoming obligations.Support management in prioritising payments and managing working capital.Monitor customer collections and supplier payment commitments.Operations & Cost ControlSupport driver dispatch and maintain accurate records of trips and related costs.Monitor fuel, driver, trip and other operational costs.Review operational expenses against budgets and approved costs.Identify unusual costs, variances or leakages and escalate these to management.Work closely with the operations team to improve cost efficiency and accountability.Management ReportingPrepare regular management accounts and financial reports.Produce monthly reports on revenue, expenses, receivables, payables, cashflow and operational costs.Provide analysis of financial and operational variances.Support management with financial information for decision-making.Assist with budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCEBachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.ACCA, CIMA or equivalent professional qualification/part-qualification will be an added advantage.Proven, practical and working knowledge of QuickBooks is mandatory.Minimum 2–3 years’ relevant accounting experience, preferably within logistics, transport, trading or a similarly operational environment.Strong understanding of bank reconciliations, AP, AR, tax compliance and financial reporting.Experience in cashflow management and cost control.Strong Excel skills and ability to work with large volumes of financial data.Good understanding of Zambian tax and statutory compliance requirements.Experience working with operational teams and monitoring costs will be an advantage.THE IDEAL CANDIDATEWe are looking for someone who is:Hands-on and highly organisedDetail-oriented with strong numerical abilityProactive in identifying and resolving accounting issuesCommercially aware and able to understand the impact of costs on the businessComfortable working with both finance and operations teamsAble to work independently and meet strict deadlinesHonest, accountable and able to handle confidential financial informationA strong communicator with good problem-solving skills