Job Description
The Manager – Fixed Asset and Inventory (Internal/External) will head the Financial Controlling – ET team, managing the full asset lifecycle from acquisition to disposal, overseeing inventory control, and ensuring precise capitalization, depreciation, impairment, and reconciliation. This role safeguards company assets, mitigates reporting risks, and drives enhancements in financial processes and systems in line with IFRS, tax regulations, and corporate policies.
Responsibilities
Role purpose:
To lead and oversee the company’s fixed asset and inventory accounting, control, and reporting activities, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial records. The role is responsible for effective asset lifecycle management, inventory control, capitalization, depreciation, impairment, disposal, reconciliation, and reporting in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), applicable tax regulations, and company policies. The position also strengthens internal controls, safeguards company assets, manages reporting risks, and drives continuous improvement in financial processes and systems.
Key accountabilities and decision ownership
:
- Fixed Asset Management
Lead and oversee the accurate and timely capitalization, transfer, reclassification, depreciation, impairment, and disposal of tangible and intangible fixed assets.
Ensure the fixed asset register is complete, accurate, and regularly reconciled with the general ledger, including asset cost, accumulated depreciation, and net book value.
Review and validate asset additions from the account’s payable ledger, ensuring appropriate classification and supporting documentation.
Ensure all assets placed into service, including network infrastructure and technology equipment, are appropriately identified and capitalized in the correct accounting period.
Review asset disposals, adjustments, and write-offs to ensure compliance with company policies, appropriate approvals, and accurate accounting treatment.
Oversee asset tagging and ensure asset identification numbers are maintained accurately in the fixed asset register.
- Capital Work in Progress (CWIP) Management
Oversee CWIP monitoring, reconciliation, aging, and reporting to ensure costs are assigned to the appropriate projects and locations.
Ensure completed projects are capitalized promptly and transferred to the appropriate fixed asset categories.
Investigate long-outstanding CWIP balances, particularly items outstanding for more than six months, and coordinate timely resolution.
Ensure proper reconciliation of fixed asset, CWIP, accrual, and creditor accounts to maintain the completeness and accuracy of financial records.
- Inventory Management and Control
Lead periodic physical verification of inventory and capital equipment in collaboration with relevant departments.
Ensure inventory balances are accurately reconciled with inventory sub-ledgers and the general ledger.
Investigate discrepancies identified during physical verification and ensure approved adjustments are accurately recorded in the relevant systems.
Monitor damaged, obsolete, slow-moving, and impaired inventory and ensure appropriate provisions and write-offs are recognized in accordance with applicable accounting standards and company policies.
Strengthen controls over inventory movements, custody, documentation, and reporting to safeguard company resources.
- Financial Reporting and Compliance
Oversee the preparation and review of monthly fixed asset, CWIP, and inventory schedules, ensuring accuracy and timely submission in line with the financial closing calendar.
Ensure depreciation calculations and postings are accurate and completed within established reporting deadlines.
Review reconciliations of general ledger accounts, sub-ledgers, and supporting schedules, ensuring that discrepancies are investigated and resolved promptly.
Coordinate with the Tax function to prepare supporting schedules for tax computations and ensure eligible capital allowances are appropriately supported.
Ensure compliance with IFRS, applicable tax requirements, internal accounting policies, and statutory reporting obligations.
Coordinate the preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation and ensure audit queries and findings are addressed within agreed timelines.
- Internal Controls and Risk Management
Establish, implement, and monitor effective internal controls over fixed assets and inventory throughout their lifecycle.
Identify financial reporting risks, control weaknesses, and process inefficiencies and implement appropriate corrective measures.
Ensure asset and inventory adjustments, impairments, and write-offs are adequately supported and approved in accordance with delegated authority.
Monitor the implementation of audit recommendations and corrective actions relating to fixed asset and inventory management.
- Leadership and Stakeholder Management
Lead, coach, and develop team members responsible for fixed asset and inventory accounting and reporting.
Establish clear priorities, performance expectations, and accountability for timely and accurate deliverables.
Collaborate with Finance, Procurement, Accounts Payable, Technology, Tax, and operational departments to ensure effective asset and inventory management.
Provide management with timely and reliable information on asset movements, inventory balances, CWIP, depreciation, and related financial risks.
Drive continuous improvement in accounting processes, financial systems, reporting efficiency, and internal controls
Key performance indicator:
Timely and accurate capitalization, depreciation, transfer, impairment, and disposal of fixed assets.
Completion of depreciation postings by the first working day of each month, in line with the financial closing calendar.
Submission of complete and accurate fixed asset and inventory schedules within the agreed monthly reporting timeline.
Timely and accurate reconciliation of fixed asset, CWIP, inventory, accrual, creditor, and related general ledger accounts.
Reduction of unresolved reconciliation differences and long-outstanding CWIP balances.
Completion of annual physical verification of fixed assets, capital equipment, and inventory within approved timelines.
Timely resolution of discrepancies identified during physical verification and reconciliation.
Accuracy and completeness of asset tagging and fixed asset and inventory registers.
Appropriate and timely recognition of provisions and write-offs for damaged, obsolete, or impaired assets and inventory.
Compliance with applicable accounting standards, internal policies, tax requirements, and audit deadlines.
Timely resolution of audit findings and implementation of agreed corrective actions.
Improvement in process efficiency, internal controls, reporting accuracy, and team performance.
Core competencies, knowledge and experience:
Business Competencies:
Identifies opportunities to improve asset and inventory management processes, strengthen controls, and enhance reporting efficiency.
Applies analytical thinking to resolve complex accounting issues and develop practical solutions.
Promotes the effective use of technology, automation, and data analytics to improve accuracy and productivity.
Demonstrates a strong understanding of financial management, accounting principles, internal controls, and business operations.
Creativity and Innovation
Business Know how
Understands the financial and operational implications of fixed asset and inventory management decisions.
Aligns financial reporting and control activities with organizational objectives, risk management requirements, and business priorities.
Adapts to changes in accounting standards, financial systems, business processes, and regulatory requirements.
Leads the implementation of process improvements and promotes consistent adoption of updated procedures.
Supports team members and stakeholders through changes in systems, controls, and reporting requirements.
Plans and coordinates fixed asset and inventory verification exercises, reconciliation activities, and financial reporting deliverables.
Manages competing priorities and ensures completion of activities within agreed timelines.
Monitors progress, identifies risks, and coordinates corrective actions to achieve expected outcomes.
Strong knowledge of IFRS, particularly standards relating to property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, impairment, depreciation, and inventory.
Working with Change
Project and Programme Management
Functional Competencies
:
Comprehensive understanding of fixed asset lifecycle management, CWIP, inventory accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
Strong knowledge of internal controls, financial risk management, audit requirements, and applicable tax regulations.
Ability to interpret and apply accounting standards and company policies to complex transactions.
Strong financial analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Proficiency in ERP and financial management systems, particularly Oracle, SAP, or equivalent platforms.
Proficiency in financial reporting, data analytics, and visualization tools.
Demonstrated leadership, team management, coaching, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, integrity, and accountability.
Ability to manage deadlines, resolve discrepancies, and drive continuous process improvement.
Qualifications
Must have technical / professional qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related business field from a recognized university.
Professional accounting qualification such as CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or ACA.
At least 5–7 years of relevant post-qualification experience in finance or accounting, including substantial experience in fixed asset accounting, inventory management, and financial reporting.
Practical experience in fixed asset registers, CWIP management, depreciation, impairment, inventory reconcilia...