Finance Manager

• To Participate as a member of management in strategic planning, execution of strategies and review of overall plans and programs to ensure the achievement of the company's vision, goals and objectives.
• To be responsible for financial reporting to head office, for transaction processing, in compliance with reporting standards in accordance with Group financial policies as well as adherence to respective local statutory reporting requirements.
• To be responsible for centralised financial and administrative support covering key functions: financial reporting, treasury, procurement and general office administration
• Lead the delivery of functional responsibilities and staff development of the finance and administration teams/sections, involved in financial reporting, treasury, tax, procurement and general office administration.

• Determining and implementing the structure of accounting activities (by business line, function, division, legal entity, subsidiary) and procedures.
• Define the timetable for the various deadlines in the accounting cycle (annual group and company accounting processes and closings and specific to the entities' activities).
• Monitoring accounting, financial, legal and tax news.
• Developing accounting processes, procedures and tools in line with internal directives, regulatory changes and standards.
• Implementing management accounting standards: local charter of accounts, IFRS international standards.

• Ensuring the reliability of the company's accounts and the preparation of financial and accounting documents in compliance with legislation.
• Supervising the consolidation of financial data and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
• Supervising management control and preparing results.
• Providing accurate and timely financial and management information to Africa Management team and the Group, in accordance with established reporting procedures and ensuring compliance with statutory reporting requirements.
• Prepare local and Group annual financial statements on a timely manner, including equity reconciliations between corporate and Group accounts.
• Supervising all financial and administrative tasks (accounting, treasury, customers, purchasing, suppliers, IT).
• Monitoring financial performance and providing corrective action recommendations for decision-makers.
• Protecting the company's assets and carrying out inventories and physical verifications of fixed assets in accordance with Group policy.
• Drawing up the company's budget and plan in line with the strategic choices made by the shareholders and senior management.
• Playing a key role in the preparation of the annual plan, forecasts and strategic plan.
• Providing a monthly SGS Group Report and analyse variances focusing on the "WHY" and not the "WHAT".
• Provide business segment managers with all the financial information they need to monitor and steer their activities and performance.
• Ensure rigorous monitoring of the company's debt recovery and accurately calculate IFRS 9 provisions in accordance with Group policy.

• Participate in the development of financial and management policies and procedures.
• Implement and enforce these policies and procedures across all projects, branches and sites.
• Ensuring that policies and procedures are consistent with those of the Group or the division to which it belongs.
• To focus on the implementation and maintenance of an adequate internal control environment at all levels of the company. Issuing recommendations to local management on corrective actions.
• Ensuring that approved recommendations are properly implemented.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Liaise with local external auditors and Group internal auditors.
• Ensure the effective and timely implementation / closure of internal and external audit recommendations / conclusions.
• Supervise internal audits of the company's departments.

• Ensure implementation of the Group's procurement policy.
• Reviewing and recommending corrective action in the event of deviations.
• Lead the annual savings plan.
• Play a key role in periodic supplier evaluations.

• Ensure effective tax management, ensuring Group tax policies are adhered to.
• Implement recommendations from internal and external tax reviews/audits in an effective and timely manner.
• Assist with capitalisation requirements.
• Ensure that the legal status and necessary filings of companies are all up to date.
• Carry out financial analysis and distribution of associated reports to various stakeholders.
• Lead the financial transformation, including the company's back-office functions..

• Leading and guiding the team towards performance, providing functional leadership to the entities accounting managers, acting as a technical point of reference.
• Supervise and develop the accounting teams.
• Setting and assessing the team's periodic objectives.
• Defining team development actions: technical and leadership training.

• Managing relations with internal decision-makers: general management, administrative and/or financial management, IT systems management, communication, management control, internal control.
• Managing the interface with external players: chartered accountants, statutory auditors, tax auditors, bankers, service providers.

• Drawing up the company's financing plans and approving cash budgets to meet external financing requirements.
• Ensuring cash management and compliance with the Group's cash dividend policies.
• Monitoring the cash position and analysing variances from forecasts.
• Defining and monitoring credit policy in collaboration with the Sales Department.
• Seeking assistance from banks and support from investors, adapting outstandings to changes in the financial markets

• Plays a key role in all financial and information systems projects to optimise, improve and strengthen procedures.
• Perform other duties as requested by the Managing Director.
• Comply fully with the SGS Code of Integrity and Life Rules.
• Participate in SGS global project initiatives.
• Perform all activities required for any audit and certification required by the company.
• To respect the operational integrity procedures defined by the Group.

• Master degree in finance, DSCG, MSTCF or equivalent.
• At least eight (8) years' professional experience in a similar position, preferably in a Big 4 audit firm and then in a multinational or international group.
• Proficiency in accounting technicals
• Fluently bilingual
• Excellent level of proficiency in Microsoft tools: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc..
• Excellent knowledge of corporate finance and accounting, auditing and management control
• Excellent knowledge of accounting standards: local chart of accounts, IFRS international standards
• Good knowledge of Ivorian taxation and company consolidation taxation (deferred taxation)
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Strategic and operational vision
• Managerial skills
• Organisational skills
• Rigour
• Ability to analyse and summarise
• Confidentiality
• Interpersonal skills

SGS