The Assistant Director, Accounting Operations & Treasury is also the custodian of the organization’s cash and financial reserves and manages the organization’s liquidity to achieve the stated investment and other objectives.

WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Job Title:  Assistant Director, Accounting Operations & Treasury 

Division:  Corporate Finance

Department/Section:  Accounting Operations    

Location:Head Office, St. Joseph

Reports to:  Director Corporate Finance

1. JOB PURPOSE:  

The Assistant Director, Accounting Operations & Treasury is accountable for the financial management, accounting and management reporting functions of the Authority. 

The Assistant Director, Accounting Operations & Treasury is also the custodian of the organization’s cash and financial reserves and manages the organization’s liquidity to achieve the stated investment and other objectives, whilst ensuring that the Authority is managing its debt portfolio and tax commitments and administers its Insurance portfolio effectively.

This role supports a transformed Authority in achieving its strategic mandate through the development and execution of policies and /or programs, accountability for staffing and leading teams to achieve the stated strategic goals.

This role ensures the timely processing of all financial processing, and management accounting activity and ensures that all transactions are properly treated with in accordance with accounting standards; whilst recording and reporting business essential activity to support timely decision-making and statutory obligations.

2.0KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

2.1Develops and implements policy in the execution of the accountabilities for the unit.

2.2Manages appropriate financial accounting systems to accurately process and manage all accounting transactions and activity in accordance with relevant accounting standards.

2.3Manages the accounting management reporting systems to ensure accurate and timely reporting for decision-making.

2.4Provides expertise to the leadership and management on appropriate treatments and applications for financial and management accounting.

2.5Implements business and information systems to support and manage financial and management accounting activity.

2.6Supervises the preparation of Corporate and GORTT statements in keeping with established standards.

2.7Manages the Authority’s needs for treasury and liquidity management.

2.8Strategically assesses and forecasts the liquidity and foreign exchange environment and takes suitable action to support favorable liquidity positions. Allocates funding to address requirements and satisfy the daily and ongoing needs and commitments of the Authority.

2.9Manages the Authority’s tax commitments and advises on actions required to support a favorable tax position.

2.10Manages debt to ensure the Authority has balance in its commitments and objectives. 

2.11Provides advice to the Board, Finance Committee and management of the Authority on the optimum management and investment of existing and surplus funds.

2.12Administers and manages the Authority’s insurance requirements to ensure optimal coverage for operations.

2.13Advises the Authority on initiatives to address tax implications and manage liability.

OPERATIONS

2.7Prepares routine financial and management accounts in accordance with the approved schedule for the Board and leadership of WASA.

2.8Maintains the ledger of accounts in accordance with the business requirements and financial accounting principles.

2.9Implements accounting systems and controls to ensure activities are guided by proper accounting standards.

2.10Ensures all accounting activity is conducted in a manner to support effective audits.

2.11Maintains Capital Expenditure and historic cost Asset Records for WASA.

2.12Supports projects and activities that aim to improve the financial and budgeting management of various departments and divisions as may be required.

PEOPLE 

2.13Leads the human resources activity for the unit by managing staff performance through coaching, oral and written discipline and making appropriate interventions for improved performance.

2.14Liaises with internal stakeholders to ensure understanding of financial and management accounting activity.

2.15Liaises with Auditors and other agencies to meet financial and statutory obligations.

2.16Guides leadership in the pursuit of initiatives requiring financial and management accounting support.

2.17Provides training to staff and other personnel to drive understanding of proper financial management techniques.

2.18Promotes a healthy and safe culture that is compliant with government legislation, company policy, and environmental regulations and standards.

REPORTS

2.19Provides reporting on all financial and management accounting activity to drive decision making.

2.20Completes ad-hoc reports and presentations to support business planning and forecasting.

2.21Provides input into the annual strategic reporting and budgeting processes.

2.22Completes reporting that may be required of the organization to respond to relevant queries.

Together with such other tasks as required by the Director and which are appropriate up to the grading level of the post.

3.0COMPETENCIES

CORE

3.1 Safety: Adherence to the safety practices, laws, codes guidelines, as outlined in the Safety Policy, Operational Manuals and other company documents. Safety First!

3.2 Teamwork: To work together with one or more persons / organizations to complete a project or task, working towards a common good to benefit the team or organization. Demonstrating the ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others both inside and outside the organization.

3.3Enterprise Customer Advocacy: An obvious focus on what is best for the customer throughout the enterprise, a desire to assist and/or serve customers and meet their needs. Taking personal responsibility for addressing issues in customer-service with, prompt and effective solutions and without becoming defensive; Ability to prioritize multiple customer needs and act in accordance with the department initiatives and the organisation's core values. It is simply about putting the customer first in everything that we do at WASA.

3.4Professionalism: The habitual and judicious use of communication, technical and problem-solving skills, clinical reasoning, emotions, values, and reflection in daily practice for the benefit of the company and community.  Demonstrates a conscientious, courteous, and business-oriented manner while on the job. 

3.5Uprightness: Adhering to the company’s Code of Conduct policy and all other company policies and guidelines. Promotes professionalism, morality, civility and ethical principles, demonstrating commitment to openness, being transparent and honest in one’s dealings with persons internal and external to WASA i.e., Doing the Right Thing All the Time.

TECHNICAL

3.6Financial Management:  Demonstrates responsibility and ability for preparing Financial Statements, Budgets and Reports.

3.7Insurance Administration:  The ability to manage the insurance plans for the Authority. To conduct transactions as it relates to employer and employee insurances.

3.8Taxation:  An understanding of taxation and its impact on transactions. A thorough understanding of local taxation laws and regulations as it relates to the Authority’s accounts. The ability to prepare, review and apply the financial statements in accordance with the taxation laws and regulations.

3.9Information Systems:The ability to demonstrate depth of knowledge and skill in the area of information systems and in a specialized ICT area. The ability to collect store and process data and for providing information knowledge and digital products.

3.10Risk Management:The ability to accurately identify the risks that affect supply, delivery and customer demands and develop appropriate strategies to mitigate the risk impact.

LEADERSHIP

3.11Business Acumen:  Demonstrates a deep understanding of the business environment. Capable of developing strategies that secure sustainable development of the company, capable of building and cultivating external relationships.

3.12Critical & Strategic Thinking:  Sees the bigger picture and strives to effectively integrate the organisation into a cohesive whole.  Takes a strategic approach to leadership and planning, thinking about the longer term. Works to implement the strategic plan, monitoring and reviewing activities to ensure they are aligned with the broader goals. Self-directed thinking that produces new and innovative ideas and solves problems. Reflecting critically on learning experiences and processes and making effective decisions.

3.13Results Orientation:The ability to set challenging goals with desired results and to focus one's effort and the effort of the unit on the desired result. Demonstrating a strong sense of urgency in achieving results and solving problems to accomplish work.

3.14Communication:  The ability to communicate effectively both verbal and written. Effectively and appropriately interacts with others to build and foster relationships, influence, and facilitate the sharing of ideas and information.

3.15Stakeholder Management:  The ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, business professionals and partners and advise on strategic and operational issues, through insights that support business decisions.

4.0QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

4.1.Bachelor’s degree in Management, Accounting, Finance or equivalent and any equivalent combination of experience and education.

4.2Advanced professional qualification/membership e.g. FCCA ; ACCA

4.3At least ten (10) years working experience in the accounting field including five (5) years at managerial / senior level.

5.0KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

5.1.Direct Reports: Team Lead, General Accounting; Team Lead, Management Accounting; Team Lead, Financial Reporting; Management Assistant, Team Lead, Cash Administration, Team Lead, Debt Administration & Financial Analysis, Team Lead Insurance Risk

5.2.Indirect Reports: Leads

5.3.Internal Contacts: Board; Managers 

5.4External Contacts: Government departments, external agencies and auditors

6.0ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTPUTS: (Areas for which the incumbent is directly answerable for attaining and delivering in the course of duty)