Financial Controller - Estate Head Office, Malawi

About the role

A long-established, financially secure rubber plantation and processing business in Malawi, Southern Africa, is recruiting a Financial Controller for its rural estate. The role leads the accounting department and reports to the General Manager, owning financial reporting, legal, tax and fiscal compliance, internal controls and the relationship with the external auditors. It is a residential appointment on a 36-month fixed-term contract, with relocation of family supported.

Key responsibilities

• Manage month-end and year-end close, reconciliations and supporting records.
• Deliver accurate monthly management accounts and annual financial statements, explaining performance and variances.
• Maintain controls over receipts, payments, purchasing, payroll, inventory and fixed assets, with approval procedures and segregation of duties.
• Ensure financial, foreign exchange and tax obligations are met on time, and coordinate tax returns and statutory submissions.
• Lead audit preparation, liaise with external auditors and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate annual budgets and forecasts, monitor cash flow and working capital, and support production costing, stock valuation and capex monitoring.
• Lead and develop a team of 15 accountants, train staff, document procedures and hold them accountable for standards and deadlines.
• Work closely with estate and factory teams to improve the accuracy of operational data feeding the accounts.

Required profile

• At least 10 years as a Financial Controller, including running an accounting department.
• At least 6 years' working experience in Africa and currently based in Africa.
• Formal, recognised accounting qualification such as CA, ACCA, CIMA or CMA; CA is not required.
• Agribusiness or plantation experience is an advantage; manufacturing, processing, forestry or estates is highly relevant.
• Fluent spoken and written English.

Required skills

• Financial reporting, month-end and year-end close, taxation and foreign exchange compliance.
• Internal controls, segregation of duties, inventory and fixed-asset control.
• Budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and working capital management, production costing and capex monitoring.
• Leadership, supervision and staff development.