As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all – while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs. Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting.  From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.

Role purpose

The Finance Operations Accountant is a role within the BA finance function based in Kenya reporting to the finance operations lead. The role is a one (1) year contract with a possibility of three (3) months extension. The purpose of the role includes:

• Review transaction recording and reporting accuracy through the month
• Ensure all control activities are performed in a timely and accurate manner
• Participate in the month-end procedures within the area of influence and any other allocated tasks
• Support the function in annual audit process and any other scheduled or adhoc reviews

Accountabilities:

• End to end responsibility in accounting area; preparing all group reporting, local statutory (up until IFRS hand-off) and tax reporting. Assuring accuracy, timely submission, and proper substantiation of financial reporting submissions in line with the Syngenta Financial Reporting requirements, local statutory reporting regulations and local tax requirements
• Ensure timely and accurate recording of all business transactions in ERP system according to the IFRS rules for group reporting and local GAAP rules for statutory reporting
• Sustain high standards on verification of assets and liabilities in the balance sheet. Perform balance sheet reconciliation in line with corporate IFRS and statutory reporting requirements.
• Provide efficient support to new business model implementation and mergers/integrations, ensuring adherence to the applicable corporate frameworks
• Drive the effective and efficient delivery of end-to-end Finance Operations activities and collaborate effectively with other country peers to share best practice.
• Accountable to facilitate internal /external audits and drive sustainable and timely remediation of outstanding audit issues in close corporation conjunction with the wider Finance organization.
• Coordinate the work of junior colleagues in the teams and help developing them
• Support a high level of financial compliance capability in the team and promote compliance culture through training and other relevant initiatives. effective and sustainable implementation of Internal Control Frameworks (ICF) and segregation of duty (SoD) risk management frameworks
• Ensure accuracy of cash-flow forecasting and effective cash-flow management.
• Support the business function in any other activities that may be assigned.

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

Critical knowledge

• A strong academic report with a undergratuate degree in commerce, accounting or finance or its equivalent and a relevant professional qualification i.e. CPA, ACCA, CIMA,
• Excellent knowledge of Iscala, SAP and Ms Office (Word, Excel, Power point)
• Excellent knowledge of relevant local/ regional tax legislations.
• Excellent understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Good understanding of business end to end processes and internal controls
• Good understanding of statutory, tax, and statistical reporting requirements
• Ability to effectively work in a cross-functional matrix organization

Critical experience

• 5+ years of professional experience in financial operations perferably in a multinational environment
• Ability to manage self, work independently, to take informed decisions and determine priorities
• Time management skills with high proactive behaviour to take initiatives
• Good interaction with functional leadership and external customers
• Ability to effectively work in a cross-functional matrix organization

Critical success factors

• Management of finance operations
• Process and controls oriented
• Collaborative and team oriented mindset
• Project planning and management
• Strong communication and relationships with local finance team members and other stakeholders