Country Accountant

Company Overview

Rentokil Initial Asia Pacific Limited is a global service enterprise with over 70,000 employees across more than 90 countries. The company focuses on pest control, hygiene enhancement, and interior ambiance services, leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovation to protect health and improve environments. Renowned for technical expertise and integrity, Rentokil Initial offers extensive training and growth opportunities while fostering a culture of feedback, equality, fairness, and teamwork shared worldwide.

Job Location

Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania

Role Overview

The Country Accountant will support the East Africa operations by managing financial operations, statutory compliance, audit processes, cash flow, treasury, and stock control within Tanzania.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee general ledger management ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with IFRS and internal accounting standards.
• Maintain trial balances and balance sheet reconciliations; execute month-end and year-end closures.
• Handle accounts payable and receivable, including vendor payments, credit control, daily cash allocations, and aging reports.
• Conduct weekly and monthly reconcilations of all local Tanzanian bank accounts and post bank charges accurately.
• Review, code, and reconcile petty cash claims monthly with valid supporting documents and authorized approvals.
• Process staff operational and travel expense claims meticulously.
• Ensure compliance with Tanzania Revenue Authority regulations by preparing and submitting VAT returns through EFD/VFD, calculating and filing withholding tax on supplier invoices and local service contracts, and managing timely PAYE remittances.
• Support statutory payroll filings for bodies such as NSSF, WCF, and SDL.
• Serve as the main liaison for annual external audits, preparing audit schedules, reconciling balance sheets monthly, assembling transaction documentation, and addressing audit queries to ensure statutory compliance with NBAA standards.
• Facilitate local tax audits and inquiries from TRA.
• Develop rolling cash flow forecasts to maintain local liquidity for operational and capital needs.
• Manage foreign exchange exposure between TZS and USD, ensuring adherence to Bank of Tanzania regulations and regional treasury policies.
• Monitor working capital by managing receivables and payables to maximize cash efficiency and minimize tax/VAT-related capital blockage.
• Oversee inventory controls, including monitoring stock levels, handling customs documentation for imports, analyzing issuance, investigating discrepancies, and upholding asset protection against misuse or fraud.

Performance Indicators

• Zero incidences of penalties or interest from late or inaccurate tax and statutory filings.
• Timely delivery of month-end close reports, real-time accounting updates, and reconciliation documents.
• External audits yielding clean reports with minimal adjustments.
• Complete monthly reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts with supporting documentation.

Critical Competencies

• Deliver Results: Establish clear objectives, maintain enthusiasm and energy, monitor progress, and prioritize tasks efficiently.
• Act Commercially: Use practical business thinking to solve problems, understand cost impacts, and implement cost-effective solutions.
• Manage Self: Maintain emotional control, stay focused, acknowledge development needs, and practice self-care.
• Coach and Develop: Provide practical guidance, training, and encouragement to build team capability and recognize achievements.
• Work with Others: Collaborate effectively, share knowledge freely, support teammates, and commit to team decisions.
• Display Leadership: Communicate clear directions and objectives, listen to ideas, hold meetings, and inspire high performance.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• CPA (Tanzania) certification with active registration under the NBAA (CPPP or CPA).
• Between four to six years of progressive accounting experience in Tanzania, including multinational corporations and tax/audit firms.
• Practical knowledge of Tanzanian tax laws, TRA electronic platforms (EFD/VFD), and modern ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365, SAP, NetSuite, or QuickBooks.
• Professional proficiency in both English and Swahili, in spoken and written forms.
• High integrity, discipline, structured analytical thinking, proactive problem-solving skills, and ability to work under tight deadlines.

Benefits

• Opportunities for professional growth through career development, mentorship, and learning initiatives.
• Commitment to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Comprehensive employee benefits and focus on health and well-being from the start of employment.