Job Details

Job Description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Purpose

The Management Accountant specialist will lead on financial matters and technical support to ensure the finance team deliver effective and efficient administration and financial services to internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Management Accountant with expertise in budgeting and forecasting to join our finance team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing the budgeting process, preparing forecasts, and providing insights to help the business make informed financial decisions. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work closely with various departments to ensure financial targets are met.

1. Budgeting:

• Lead the preparation and development of the company’s annual and periodic budgets.
• Coordinate with departmental heads to gather input and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Review historical financial data to guide and challenge budget assumptions.
• Ensure budgets are accurate and completed on time.
• Provide detailed commentary and explanations of budget variances.
• Ownership of budgeting tool operations, improvements and training.

2. Management Reporting:

• Prepare regular management reports to track budget performance, highlighting key trends, variances, and forecasts.
• Provide insightful analysis to senior management to support decision-making.
• Work with the finance team to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

3. Cost & Capital Management and Analysis:

• Conduct detailed variance analysis on budget vs. actuals and investigate discrepancies.
• Monitor cost controls and recommend actions to ensure adherence to financial goals.
• Identify areas for cost reduction or efficiency improvements.
• Review capital (capex) requests and guide management on optimal capital strategy/spend.

4. Collaboration & Advisory:

• Collaborate closely with other departments to ensure understanding of financial performance and encourage accountability for their budget areas.
• Offer financial advice and recommendations to support business planning and strategy development.
• Support senior management with ad-hoc financial analysis and scenario modelling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Full ACCA, Full CIMA, Full Chartered Accountant (CA) Zambia, Masters in Finance is an added Advantage.
• Full Member of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA)

Experience

• Full in a job-related major or equivalent and 8 to 10 years of related experience senior management; or a combination of education and experience
• Analytical skills and working with volumes of data
• Well-rounded understanding of Mining operations
• Expert knowledge international financial reporting standards (IFRS)
• Good command of the English Language (speaking and writing)
• Proficiency in MS Excel and Word
• Excellent interpersonal skills

Behavioural Traits

• Teamwork
• Bold Initiative
• Thinking Safely
• Upholding quality
• Technical skill
• Driving improvements
• Driving attendance
• Problem solving
• Effective management of own work
• Excellent Numerical skills
• Written skills essential in preparing reports
• Oral skills involved in communicating information to management and staff
• Accounting software skills (Hyperion)
• Excellent Excel skills

Operational Requirements

• Effective management of own work
• Excellent Numerical skills
• Written skills essential in preparing reports
• Oral skills involved in communicating information to management and staff
• Accounting software skills (Hyperion)
• Excellent Excel skills