Brenntag
Accountant (Finance Support) - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
🇹🇿Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania12 days ago
Full TimeTemporaryContract
This is a 12-month fixed-term contract. The Accountant supports the Finance Manager in executing core operational accounting activities across Accounts Receivable, Credit Control, Taxation, and Inventory processes for the Tanzanian entity. The role ensures accurate recording of transactions, timely collections, compliance with Group policies, internal controls, and local statutory requirements (including VAT and Withholding Tax).
The position plays a key role in maintaining clean ledgers, supporting month-end close activities, participating in inventory counts and reconciliations, and strengthening the financial control environment. Working closely with Commercial, Supply Chain, and external stakeholders, the accountant contributes to efficient cash flow management, reliable financial reporting, and high standards of financial integrity and compliance.
The Accountant will be responsible for executing several operational accounting activities within the OTC and Inventory mega-processes.
Within the OTC process, the role ensures that all customer accounts, credit assessments, invoice verifications, and collections activities are performed efficiently and in full compliance with Group, Regional, and Local Finance policies, the Rules of Procedure (RoPs), and internal control protocols. The role also involves identifying and resolving unapplied cash, maintaining clean ledgers, preparing credit and collection reports, and ensuring that customer creditworthiness is continuously assessed and monitored.
In addition to OTC / accounts receivables responsibilities, the role provides inventory accounting and monitoring support for the Tanzanian entity, including participation in stock counts, variance reviews, and loss prevention processes to strengthen operational efficiency and financial integrity.
Beyond transactional excellence, the position contributes to strengthening the financial control environment, fostering cross-functional collaboration with the commercial and supply chain teams, and enhancing customer experience through efficient, transparent, and professional credit and collection practices.
1. Accounts Receivable and Cash Application
Manage the end-to-end Accounts Receivable (AR) process, ensuring timely and accurate invoicing, payment posting, and reconciliations.
Record and reconcile all customer payments (cash, cheque, bank transfers) in SAP, ensuring daily posting accuracy and proper invoice allocation.
Generate and issue customer statements of account in line with Brenntag credit terms and policies.
Maintain an accurate and current AR sub-ledger, promptly clearing unapplied cash and following up for missing remittance details.
Support daily bank reconciliations and provide relevant AR data for financial reporting and audits.
2. Credit Control and Collections
Monitor outstanding receivables, identify overdue accounts, and drive proactive collections in coordination with Sales and Commercial teams.
Prepare and circulate weekly/monthly aging reports and DSO analysis, highlighting risks and recommending corrective action.
Manage credit blocks and releases in SAP based on approved authorizations.
Liaise with external legal counsel or collection agencies to recover long-outstanding debts.
Maintain debtor master data integrity, ensuring current, accurate, and compliant records.
3. Billing and Customer Documentation
Coordinate with Commercial, Customer Service, and Logistics teams to ensure accurate, timely, and tax-compliant invoicing.
Verify and apply correct VAT, withholding tax, and other statutory deductions on all customer invoices as per TRA regulations.
Handle customer billing queries and disputes to ensure timely resolution and maintain strong relationships.
Support cash sales activities by receipting, reconciling, and banking daily proceeds.
4. Taxation and Statutory Compliance (VAT & Withholding Tax)
Support the preparation, review, and timely submission of VAT returns in line with TRA requirements
Support the preparation and filing of Withholding Tax (WHT) returns, ensuring correct application, deduction, and reporting.
Reconcile VAT and WHT control accounts to the general ledger and supporting schedules.
Ensure accurate application of VAT and WHT on invoices, receipts, and customer transactions in SAP.
Maintain proper tax documentation and schedules to support audits, tax reviews, and statutory inspections.
Liaise with internal stakeholders and external tax advisors where clarification or follow-up is required.
Monitor compliance with local tax laws and flag potential risks or discrepancies to the Finance Manager.
5. Inventory Support
Participate in weekly and annual stock counts, investigating variances, reconciling results, and providing analysis on destruction, aged, or obsolete inventory.
Prepare monthly stock depreciation and provision reports, including trend analysis, root cause assessments, and corrective action recommendations.
Lead monthly stock depreciation meetings with commercial and operations teams, issuing minutes and tracking agreed actions to closure.
Strengthen internal controls over inventory by identifying gaps, documenting process improvements, and driving compliance with audit standards.
6. Month-End and Year-End Closing
Perform month-end close for AR, including reconciliations, aging analysis, and provisioning for doubtful debts.
Prepare AR and Inventory audit schedules and supporting documentation for both internal and external reviews.
Prepare Balance sheet reconciliations for assigned accounts.
Support Finance in variance analysis, customer account validation, and reporting.
7. Process Improvement and Compliance
Ensure strict adherence to Brenntag Group policies, SOPs, and RoPs related to receivables and cash application.
Identify and implement process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, automation, and accuracy in AR operations.
Participate in system enhancement projects and testing (SAP, BlackLine, or reporting tools).
Promote a strong internal control environment and always maintain audit-ready documentation.
8. Stakeholder Collaboration and Customer Engagement
Act as the primary contact for AR-related queries for internal and external stakeholders.
Work closely with Sales, Supply Chain, and Finance teams to resolve disputes impacting collections and cash flow.
Communicate professionally with customers on payment schedules, credit status, and billing inquiries.
Provide updates to the Finance Manager and Regional Finance on AR performance, risks, and action plans.
Respond to requests from the Line Manager, Group, or Regional Finance, including but not limited to audit preparation, data validation, cashflow forecasting, and project support.
Develop, review, and update finance-related procedures, SOPs, and working instructions to ensure accuracy and alignment with Group standards.
Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules, resolving audit queries, and ensuring all AR-related documentation is audit-ready.
Participate in the “buddy matrix” system, providing support to peer finance functions (e.g., P2P, General Ledger) during absences or peak periods.
Stay abreast of developments in financial regulations, SAP functionality, and credit management best practices to enhance role effectiveness.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Business Administration, Economics or related field (required)
A recognized accounting qualification or active pursuit of CPA, ACCA, or CIMA (preferred)
3+ years’ experience in Credit Control, Accounts Receivable, Order-to-Cash, or related finance function, preferably in a multinational or shared services environment
Strong knowledge and demonstrated success in credit evaluation, recovery of outstanding receivables and customer account management
Experience working with SAP or another major ERP system (SAP experience preferred)
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (PivotTables, Lookup formulas, data analysis)
Familiarity with internal controls, financial policies, and audit/compliance frameworks
Availability to start immediately or at short notice will be highly advantageous.
Technical & Analytical Skills
Ability to analyze customer account data, aged debt, and credit exposure, with actionable recommendations
Solid understanding of IFRS concepts relevant to receivables and revenue recognition
Experience preparing credit reports, reconciliations, and collection efficiency dashboards
Familiarity with BlackLine or similar reconciliation tools is an added advantage
Understanding of local tax (VAT/WHT) implications on revenue and collections
Behavioral & Business Competencies
Strong communication and relationship-building skills with both internal and external stakeholders
High level of professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, and sound judgment
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy
Resilient, proactive, and solution-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset
Collaborative team player with the ability to work independently and take ownership of outcomes
A competitive and fair salary aligned with internal equity and market benchmarks.
Comprehensive health insurance cover.
The opportunity to work within a multinational organisation and collaborate with diverse regional teams.
A supportive and professional work environment that values integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Brenntag provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees of all backgrounds and identities to create a workplace where difference is valued because it forms a resilient and more innovative organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, parental and family status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome applications from women, men and non-binary candidates of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds.
