At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage accounting, reporting, and process improvements for cocoa trading in London.
- Company: Join ECOM, a leader in cocoa procurement across West Africa and Latin America.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for growth and learning in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Gain deep insights into commodity markets while working closely with trading and logistics teams.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified accountant with 3+ years of relevant finance experience.
- Other info: Lead a team of 2 Trade Accountants and engage in exciting system implementation projects.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The overall objective of the Cocoa Financial Controller role is to manage transactional accounting, product control, management reporting, and assist with FP&A for the London cocoa trading business, as well as the offshore components of ECOM’s West Africa + Latin America cocoa procurement businesses. They will be expected to pro-actively identify business process improvement opportunities, and to improve the efficiency of the accounting function. There is also scope for involvement in operational control work, and project work for the new system implementations at ECOM.
The Financial Controller will work within the Cocoa Business, and be expected to manage a team of 2 Trade Accountants in London, supported by an in-house accounting support team based in India.
There will be plenty of direct involvement with the trading + logistics teams, so through the individual’s work, they will have the opportunity to learn the business in depth, gain extensive exposure to how a complex multinational group is managed, how commodity markets work, and improve their commercial acumen.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee the daily transactional accounting for ECOM’s London cocoa trading desk, such as accounts payable, cash accounting, broker accounting, daily P&L, and invoice approvals. Provide cover to the team as and when needed.
- Manage the month-end closing process for the cocoa trading profit centres, including control approvals, accrual calculations, forward book preparation/review.
- Oversee the product control activities such as new business reporting, and daily PnL approval.
- Manage queries from trade and shipping teams, and be key point of contact to incorporate new commercial activities into our business process and accounting workstreams.
- Pro-actively propose and implement process improvements across the areas of responsibility mentioned above, to improve efficiency, accuracy and timeliness of management reporting.
- Assist in preparation for new system implementations.
Skills & Experience
- Qualified Accountant with min 3 years PQE.
- Relevant finance experience in the commodity trading industry, or at a minimum a strong working knowledge of mark to market accounting within a trading business.
- Track record demonstrating ability to initiate and execute process improvements.
- Excellent Excel skills; interest in and aptitude for systems, as well as a data-driven approach to problem-solving, is essential.
- Strong communication skills, including experience reporting to commercial stakeholders, and ability to manage people.
- Ideally would have previous supervisory experience.
- Self-starter with attention to detail, ability to manage and prioritise workload, and independently work through issues to propose solutions.
Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Accounting/Auditing, Finance, and Business Development
Industries
International Trade and Development, Financial Services, and Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage
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Financial Controller employer: ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd.
Contact Detail:
ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the cocoa trading industry and its specific accounting practices. Understanding mark to market accounting and how it applies to commodity trading will give you a significant edge in discussions during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience with process improvements in your previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully implemented changes that enhanced efficiency or accuracy in financial reporting.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to demonstrate your Excel skills, as they are crucial for this role. Consider practicing advanced functions and data analysis techniques that you can showcase during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Since this role involves managing a team, think about your leadership style and be prepared to share how you've effectively managed people in the past. Discussing your approach to communication and team dynamics will be beneficial.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Financial Controller position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially those related to transactional accounting and process improvements.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in commodity trading and financial management. Emphasize your qualifications, particularly your PQE and any supervisory experience, to align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the cocoa trading business and your ability to improve accounting processes. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and commercial acumen.
Highlight Technical Skills: In your application, make sure to mention your excellent Excel skills and any experience with systems relevant to accounting. This will show that you have the technical aptitude necessary for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd.
✨Showcase Your Financial Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in transactional accounting and product control. Highlight specific examples from your previous roles that demonstrate your understanding of mark to market accounting and how it applies to the commodity trading industry.
✨Demonstrate Process Improvement Initiatives
Think of instances where you identified inefficiencies in accounting processes and successfully implemented improvements. Be ready to explain your thought process and the impact these changes had on the team's performance.
✨Communicate Effectively with Stakeholders
Since this role involves interaction with trading and logistics teams, practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner. Prepare to discuss how you've managed relationships with commercial stakeholders in the past.
✨Prepare for Team Management Questions
As you'll be managing a team of Trade Accountants, be ready to share your leadership style and experiences. Discuss how you motivate your team, handle conflicts, and ensure that everyone is aligned with the company's goals.