Require a Finance Manager in Lusaka, Zambia

1. Financial Reporting & Analysis

Prepare monthly management accounts Income Statement Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement by the 10th of each month.

Prepare weekly and monthly branch-wise Profit and loss statements for presentation to Senior Management

Produce a monthly Budget vs. Actual Analysis Report for the CEO with clear variance commentary on any line exceeding 10%.

Maintain the General Ledger in QuickBooks accurate current and audit-ready at all times.

Prepare quarterly and annual financial statements in compliance with IFRS and Zambian financial regulations.

Provide the CEO with clear concise financial intelligence to support strategic and operational decisions.

2. Budgeting & Financial Planning

Lead the annual budgeting process consolidating departmental budgets into an organisational budget for CEO approval.

Review and approve weekly departmental budget plans submitted by branch and department managers.

Maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast updated weekly and presented to the CEO.

Ensure Meraki maintains a minimum cash reserve equivalent to two weeks of operating costs at all times.

Flag any projected cash shortfall to the CEO at least four weeks in advance.

3. Cash Management & Controls

Oversee daily cash management across all branches ensuring all cash is banked intact and reconciled daily.

Review and approve all payment requisitions against budget allocations before disbursement.

Manage the weekly payment run cash purchases every Wednesday account suppliers every Friday.

Ensure petty cash across all five locations is properly managed reconciled and replenished in line with policy.

Review all bank charges monthly and ensure accurate recording in QuickBooks.

Perform or supervise monthly bank reconciliations completed and signed off by the 10th of the following month.

4. Procurement & Inventory Financial Oversight

Review and approve all procurement requisitions against budget ensuring no purchase proceeds without financial authorisation.

Oversee the financial reconciliation between GAAP Unity (stock and procurement system) and QuickBooks monthly.

Report on food cost percentages by branch against budget flagging and investigating variances.

Review stock adjustment entries in GAAP Unity before they are posted ensuring all adjustments are authorised.

Produce monthly food cost and wastage analysis reports for the CEO and COO.

5. Statutory Compliance & Taxation

Ensure full and timely compliance with all ZRA obligations VAT returns by the 18th PAYE and NAPSA by the 10th of each month.

Manage NHIMA contributions and ensure timely submission.

Ensure all VAT-claimable purchases are from ZRA Smart Invoicing registered suppliers with valid VAT invoices filed.

Liaise with external tax consultants on corporate income tax and annual returns.

Ensure PACRA annual returns are submitted on time.

Maintain all financial records for a minimum of seven years as required by Zambian law.

6. Internal Controls & Audit

Maintain and enforce the Meraki Finance Policy Manual across all departments and branches.

Ensure segregation of duties is maintained no single person controls initiation approval and processing of financial transactions.

Support the Internal Audit function providing records responding to queries within 24 hours and implementing audit recommendations.

Manage staff advance requests reviewing against policy ensuring proper documentation and tracking repayments via payroll.

Maintain the Fixed Asset Register in QuickBooks including depreciation schedules and disposal records.

7. Team Leadership & Reporting

Manage and develop the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable functions.

Build a high-performing accountable Finance team that operates to the Meraki standard.

Report directly to the CEO proactively not reactively. Bring issues before they become problems.

Attend weekly management meetings and present financial performance with confidence and clarity.

Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance Economics or a related field.

Minimum 4 years of hands-on financial management experience including reporting budgeting cash flow management and statutory compliance.

Proficiency in QuickBooks this is non-negotiable. The candidate must be able to demonstrate working knowledge at interview.

Solid working knowledge of Zambian tax law VAT PAYE NAPSA NHIMA and ZRA Smart Invoicing.

Experience managing financial controls in a multi-site or multi-department business.

Strong Excel skills financial modelling pivot tables and dashboard reporting.

Excellent written and verbal communication able to present financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

ZICA membership or ACCA/CIMA qualification (full or part-qualified).

Experience in the hospitality food service or FMCG sector.

Familiarity with GAAP Unity or similar POS and stock management systems.

Experience working directly with a CEO or business owner in a fast-growing business.