Junior Accountant_Store & General Accounting

Department: Finance & Accounting Reports To: Chief Accountant Location: Douala Employment Type: Full-timeJob PurposeThe Junior Accountant – Store & General Accounting is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and timely recording of inventory/store transactions, while supporting the Finance team with general accounting activities.The role will work closely with Store, Warehouse, Procurement, Operations, and Finance teams to ensure that physical inventory movements agree with accounting and ERP records, inventory is properly valued and controlled, and discrepancies are identified, investigated, and resolved promptly.The position will also support routine general accounting activities including reconciliations, journal entries, supplier accounting, month-end closing, document control, and audit preparation.2.

Key ResponsibilitiesA. Store & Inventory Accounting – Primary FocusInventory Transaction AccountingEnsure all goods receipts, issues, transfers, returns, adjustments, and other inventory movements are properly recorded in the accounting/ERP system.Verify that store transactions are supported by appropriate documentation such as Purchase Orders, Goods Received Notes, Store Issue Notes, Delivery Notes, and approved adjustment documents.Ensure inventory transactions are posted to the correct item, warehouse, cost centre, project, and General Ledger account.Monitor unposted, incomplete, or unusual inventory transactions and follow up for timely resolution.Ensure proper accounting treatment of inventory purchases, consumption, transfers, returns, damages, obsolete items, and write-offs.Inventory ReconciliationPerform regular reconciliation between: Store/warehouse recordsERP inventory sub-ledgerGeneral Ledger inventory accountsInvestigate differences and prepare reconciliation reports with clear explanations and corrective actions.Follow up on outstanding reconciliation items until closure.Maintain proper documentation supporting all inventory adjustments.Physical Stock CountsParticipate in monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc physical inventory counts.Assist with preparation of stock count sheets and inventory reports.Compare physical stock counts against ERP/system quantities.Investigate stock variances in collaboration with Store/Warehouse personnel.Prepare stock variance reports highlighting shortages, excesses, damaged items, and other discrepancies.Ensured stock adjustments are correctly reflected in the accounting system.Inventory ControlsMonitor compliance with inventory and warehouse procedures.Identify weaknesses in store controls and report exceptions to the Chief Accountant.Monitor negative stock balances, unusual inventory movements, duplicate transactions, and aged/open inventory transactions.Support monitoring of slow-moving, non-moving, damaged, obsolete, and expired inventory.Assist in calculating or reviewing provisions for obsolete and slow-moving inventory where applicable.Ensure inventory write-offs and adjustments are properly approved before posting.Maintain a clear audit trail for all significant inventory transactions.B. General Accounting ResponsibilitiesGeneral LedgerPrepare and post approved journal entries.Assist in reviewing General Ledger accounts for accuracy and completeness.Perform assigned balance sheet account reconciliations.Investigate and clear outstanding or aged reconciliation items.Assist with accruals, prepaid expenses, provisions, and other month-end adjustments.Ensure adequate supporting documentation is attached to accounting entries.Accounts Payable / Supplier AccountingAssist with checking supplier invoices against Purchase Orders and Goods Received Notes.Support reconciliation of supplier statements to accounting records.Follow up on invoices, receiving, pricing, quantity, and posting discrepancies.Assist in maintaining accurate supplier accounts.Support preparation of supplier payment documentation where required.Month-End and Year-End ClosingSupport the monthly accounting closing process according to the Finance closing timetable.Ensure all inventory movements for the period are properly captured before closing.Prepare inventory-related reconciliations and schedules for month-end.Assist in preparing General Ledger schedules and account reconciliations.Follow up on outstanding transactions affecting the accuracy of financial statements.Assist with year-end closing activities and preparation of supporting schedules.C. Internal Control & Audit SupportMaintain complete and properly organized supporting documents for accounting and inventory transactions.Ensure transactions are processed in accordance with the company's policies and approval matrix.Support internal and external audit requests.Provide inventory reconciliations, stock count documentation, invoices, journal support, and other requested accounting records.Assist in implementing corrective actions resulting from internal control reviews or audit findings.Immediately escalate significant stock discrepancies, unsupported transactions, or control concerns to the Chief Accountant.D. ReportingPrepare or assist in preparing periodic reports including:Inventory reconciliation report.Physical stock variance report.Inventory movement report.Slow-moving and non-moving inventory report.Damaged and obsolete stock report.Negative stock report.Outstanding Goods Received/Invoice reconciliation report.General Ledger reconciliation schedules.Month-end accounting schedules.Other Finance reports requested by the Chief Accountant or Finance Manager.3. Key Performance Indicators – KPIsThe Junior Accountant may be evaluated against the following indicators:Accuracy of inventory accounting and reduction in recurring stock/accounting discrepancies.Timely completion of inventory-to-GL reconciliations.Percentage of stock variances invested and resolved within agreed deadlines.Accuracy and timely posting of accounting transactions.Timely completion of assigned month-end closing activities.Reduction of long-outstanding reconciliation items.Accuracy and completeness of accounting supporting documentation.Compliance with internal controls and accounting procedures.Timely identification and escalation of inventory irregularities.Quality and timeliness of responses to internal and external audit requests.4. Qualifications & ExperienceEducationBachelor's Degree, HND, or equivalent qualification in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline.Additional professional accounting studies or certification would be an advantage.ExperienceApproximately 1–3 years of accounting experience, preferably including inventory/store accounting.Previous experience working with warehouses, stores, procurement, or inventory management would be an advantage.Exposure to month-end closing and General Ledger reconciliations is desirable.