Position Summary
- The Accountant for travels, will be responsible for managing financial transactions, ensuring accurate accounting records, performing reconciliations, maintaining regulatory compliance, supporting financial reporting, and safeguarding company assets.
- The role requires a strong understanding of travel industry financial operations, including airline ticketing transactions, BSP reconciliations, vendor management, customer receivables, and regulatory compliance.
- The ideal candidate must possess a minimum of 6 years' experience in accounting and finance within the travel, tourism, aviation, or hospitality industry and demonstrate a strong understanding of financial controls, reporting, and compliance requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate accounting records and ensure all financial transactions are properly recorded.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
- Prepare management accounts and financial performance reports.
- Assist in budget preparation and financial forecasting.
- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and company policies.
Daily SalesReconciliation:
- Review and reconcile Daily Sales Reports (DSR) against bookings, invoices, receipts, and accounting records.
- Verify the accuracy of ticketing, visa, hotel, and tour transactions.
- Investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly.
- Ensure all revenue transactions are accurately captured and reported.
Accounts Receivable Management:
- Monitor customer receivables and follow up on outstanding payments.
- Maintain an up-to-date receivables ageing report.
- Liaise with sales and operations teams to ensure timely collection of debts.
- Escalate overdue accounts and recommend recovery actions where necessary.
Accounts Payable Management:
- Process vendor invoices and payment requests.
- Verify supporting documents and approvals before payment processing.
- Maintain vendor accounts and payment schedules.
- Ensure timely settlement of approved vendor obligations.
Bank Reconciliation and Cash Management:
- Perform daily and monthly bank reconciliations.
- Monitor cash flow and bank balances.
- Investigate and resolve reconciliation variances.
- Ensure proper recording of all bank transactions.
IATA BSP and Travel Industry Compliance:
- Manage IATA BSP reconciliations and remittances.
- Ensure compliance with airline settlement requirements.
- Monitor airline credit facilities and payment deadlines.
- Maintain accurate records of BSP transactions and remittances.
Tax and Statutory Compliance:
- Ensure timely remittance of PAYE, Pension, VAT, Withholding Tax, and other statutory obligations.
- Maintain statutory compliance schedules.
- Liaise with regulatory authorities when required.
- Support audits and tax reviews.
Internal Controls and Risk Management:
- Ensure adherence to financial policies and internal control procedures.
- Identify financial risks and recommend mitigation measures.
- Support Internal Control and Audit reviews.
- Ensure proper segregation of duties and approval processes.
Asset and Inventory Management:
- Maintain fixed asset registers.
- Conduct periodic asset verification exercises.
- Monitor company inventory and travel-related assets.
- Ensure proper documentation of asset movements and disposals.
Financial Systems and Process Improvement:
- Utilize accounting and ERP systems effectively.
- Recommend improvements to financial processes and controls.
- Support automation and digital transformation initiatives within Finance.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Accuracy of financial reports (minimum 98% accuracy rate).
- Timely completion of monthly financial reports.
- Daily bank reconciliation completion rate.
- Accounts receivable collection efficiency.
- Reduction in aged receivables.
- Timely settlement of vendor obligations.
- IATA BSP remittance compliance rate.
- Statutory remittance compliance rate (PAYE, Pension, VAT, WHT).
- Number of unreconciled transactions outstanding.
- Financial audit findings and resolution rate.
- Asset accountability and verification accuracy.
- Compliance with internal financial controls and policies.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's Degree or HND in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 6 years' relevant accounting experience within the Travel, Tourism, Aviation, Hospitality or relevant Industry.
- Professional certification such as ICAN, ACCA, ACA, ANAN, or equivalent is mandatory or in advanced stages of completion.
- Strong understanding of travel industry accounting processes and airline settlement systems.
- Experience with accounting software, ERP systems, and financial reporting tools.
- Knowledge of Nigerian tax laws and statutory compliance requirements.
- Please note that you must have worked within the travel space or hospitality industry to be considered for this position.
Required Skills and Competencies:
- Financial reporting and analysis.
- Bank reconciliation and cash management.
- Accounts receivable and payable management.
- Budgeting and forecasting.
- Tax and regulatory compliance.
- IATA BSP reconciliation and airline accounting.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- High level of integrity and confidentiality.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting software.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.