Accountant - Travel

Accountant - Travel

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.

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