Position: Accounts Receivable Accountant
Location: Onsite (Outsourced Function - Public Sector)
Software Environment: Oracle
Role Description
- Independently manage the full accounts receivable cycle, including invoice preparation, recording, dispatch to clients, follow-up on outstanding balances, collection of payments, allocation of receipts, and ensuring all customer accounts are up to date.
- Ensure accuracy in revenue recognition by applying both IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) and IPSAS 9/23 (Revenue from Exchange and Non-Exchange Transactions), with a clear understanding of performance obligations, timing of revenue recognition, and treatment of government grants, transfers, and service-based contracts.
- Monitor and reconcile customer balances on a continuous basis, ensuring that all transactions are properly posted, and that discrepancies are investigated and resolved promptly.
- Prepare and review Accounts Receivable aging analysis, identify overdue accounts, assess credit risk, and collaborate with relevant departments to ensure timely collection and escalation of problematic accounts.
- Perform reconciliations with the General Ledger (GL) to guarantee accuracy, completeness, and consistency across the AR subledger and financial reporting.
- Support month-end and year-end closing activities, including accruals, provisions for doubtful debts, and revenue cut-off testing, in compliance with IPSAS 19 (Provisions, Contingent Liabilities, and Contingent Assets).
- Maintain compliance with IPSAS 33 (First-time Adoption of Accrual Basis IPSASs):
- Assist in preparing the opening balance sheet (OSFP) during the first-time adoption phase.
- Ensure AR balances, receivables-related provisions, and revenue recognition policies align with IPSAS during the transition.
- Disclose and document any transitional exemptions being applied.
- Ensure proper accounting treatment of fixed assets linked to revenue transactions (e.g., recognition of revenue-generating assets, deferred revenue for assets under concession arrangements) in line with IPSAS 17 (Property, Plant, and Equipment) and IFRS standards on fixed assets.
- Develop and implement internal controls over the AR process, including customer master data, invoice approvals, segregation of duties, and compliance with government entity policies.
- Assist in the preparation of financial statements and supporting schedules ensuring compliance with IFRS and IPSAS, particularly with disclosures related to revenue streams, receivables, provisions, and first-time adoption impacts.
- Provide analytical insights and reporting to management, including trend analysis of collections, revenue forecasting, debtor risk assessments, and evaluation of allowance for doubtful accounts (Expected Credit Loss).
- Liaise with external and internal auditors by preparing reconciliations, supporting schedules, and justifications for AR balances, provisions, and revenue recognition methodologies.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- Qualified member of a recognized professional accounting body
- Minimum 3 years of post-qualification experience in accounts receivable, preferably in government or large organizations.
- Strong knowledge of IFRS, and working knowledge of international public accounting standards (IPSAS), particularly related to revenue, fixed assets & provision.
- Hands-on experience with Oracle.
- Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision.