Accountant

ACCOUNTANT WANTED
(Customs Clearing & Freight Forwarding Industry)
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on and self-driven Accountant with proven experience in customs clearing, freight forwarding or logistics. The candidate must have a strong understanding of the accounting and financial processes tied to customs-clearing operations — including Bills of Entry (BOEs), BOE registers, customs duty transactions, client accounts, customs prepayments, invoicing, reconciliations and statutory compliance. And should be able to start immediately.

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date Bills of Entry (BOE) registers.
• Review and reconcile BOEs against client files, invoices, customs payments and accounting records.
• Maintain proper financial records for individual customs-clearing transactions, tracking each BOE from processing through clearance, invoicing and final accounting.
• Reconcile customs duty payments, customs prepayments and client-funded transactions, ensuring payments are correctly allocated to the relevant client and consignment.
• Maintain supporting documentation and a clear audit trail for all BOE transactions.
• Identify and promptly resolve unreconciled BOEs, outstanding customs payments, unallocated deposits and other discrepancies.
• Work closely with clearing, operations and documentation teams to ensure financial records agree with operational records.
• Apply practical experience with Zimbabwean customs and exporter/importer systems, including ZIMRA platforms and electronic customs-processing systems.
• Ensure completed clearing jobs are invoiced accurately and on time.
• Prepare and maintain accurate books of account, including journals, general ledgers and supporting schedules.
• Manage the full accounting cycle, ensuring transactions are recorded accurately and promptly.
• Manage accounts receivable and accounts payable, including customer invoicing and supplier payments.
• Perform bank, cash, customer, supplier and other balance-sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, financial reports, P&L statements, balance sheets, cash-flow reports and supporting schedules.
• Analyse revenue, expenses, margins and financial performance.
• Maintain accurate debtor and creditor ageing schedules, and actively follow up outstanding customer accounts.
• Assist management with budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow planning.
• Maintain sound accounting controls, with proper supporting documentation for all transactions.
• Prepare and submit applicable tax returns, including VAT, PAYE, withholding taxes and other statutory filings.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain proper tax and statutory records.
• Liaise with tax authorities, auditors, banks and other regulatory bodies as required.
• Proactively identify and resolve accounting, tax or compliance issues.
• Maintain strong financial controls over BOE registers, customs duty payments, customs/prepayment accounts, client accounts, debtors and creditors, bank accounts, cash transactions, revenue and invoicing, supplier payments, statutory obligations, and supporting documentation and audit trails.
• Work closely with management and operational teams, providing timely financial information for decision-making.
• Prepare ad hoc reports and financial analyses as requested.
• Help improve accounting procedures, internal controls and reporting systems.
• Maintain organised accounting records and supporting documentation.
• Take ownership of assigned responsibilities and meet deadlines without needing constant follow-up.

• A degree in Accounting, Finance or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• A professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CA, CIMA, CIS or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• At least 4–5 years of practical accounting experience, ideally in customs clearing, freight forwarding, logistics or a closely related industry.
• Demonstrable experience with Bills of Entry and BOE registers, and practical knowledge of customs-clearing accounting and reconciliation processes.
• Strong knowledge of tax compliance, statutory reporting and financial controls.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience with recognised accounting software.
• Ability to prepare accounts and management reports with minimal supervision.
• Experienced, hands-on and highly organised, with strong attention to detail.
• Able to work independently and proactively, rather than waiting for instructions.
• Comfortable taking ownership and responsibility.
• Skilled at identifying and resolving reconciliation differences.
• Able to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Trustworthy, with the ability to handle confidential financial information.