Who We Are:
Africa Specialty Risks (ASR) is enabling sustainable economic development by fulfilling unmet insurance needs. Our platform provides local underwriting expertise, an unparalleled distribution network and access to global capacity.
Founded in the heart of Africa and with offices across the continent and the Middle East, we provide regional market knowledge, data insights, and technical proficiency for capital partners who are looking to increase their presence in growth markets.
We also participate on each and every risk we underwrite with balance sheets in Bermuda, Mauritius and through Syndicate 2454 at Lloyd’s. ASR is committed to accelerating business growth by providing customised service and innovative insurance products to enable development.
Role Purpose:
The Assistant Accountant will support the finance function across accounts payable, expense processing, and general ledger activities. The role will be instrumental in transitioning and maintaining a controlled, efficient finance environment, including supporting the rollout of Concur and ongoing use of NetSuite.
This is a hands-on role with responsibility for transactional processing and supporting month-end close, with opportunities to develop into broader reporting and financial analysis over time.
Role Responsibilities:
Accounts Payable & Expense Processing
- Own the end-to-end accounts payable process:
- Invoice receipt, validation, coding, and posting
- Supplier statement reconciliations and query resolution
- Support the transition to Concur:
- Assist with implementation and testing
- Take ownership of ongoing expense processing post-implementation
- Ensure appropriate approvals and adherence to internal controls and policies
- Manage payment runs and maintain supplier master data
General Ledger & Journals
- Prepare and post journals in NetSuite, including:
- Accruals and prepayments
- Intercompany transactions (as required)
- Maintain supporting documentation for audit and review
- Assist with balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring completeness and accuracy
Month-End & Financial Close Support
- Support timely month-end close process:
- Journal preparation and posting
- Reconciliations and analysis
- Assist in producing supporting schedules for management reporting and audit
Controls & Process Improvement
- Ensure finance processes are well documented and consistently followed
- Support strengthening of controls, particularly around AP and expenses
- Identify opportunities for automation and efficiency (e.g. system usage, process simplification)
Audit & Compliance Support
- Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation
- Respond to auditor queries in a timely and accurate manner
- Ensure documentation is audit-ready and aligned with internal policies
- Prepare the Financial Statement under IFRS/UK GAAP
Skills & Experience:
Essential:
- Degree in Accounting, Finance, partly ACCA qualified or related field
- 2–4 years in finance / accounting role (ideally with AP and GL exposure)
- Experience using accounting systems (NetSuite preferred)
- Familiarity with expense management systems (e.g. Concur) advantageous
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills
- Ability to work to deadlines and manage multiple priorities
- Good communication skills and ability to work across teams
Personal Attributes
- Proactive and willing to take ownership of processes
- Strong focus on accuracy and control
- Collaborative and responsive to stakeholders
- Eager to learn and develop within a growing finance function
Reporting Line
- Reports to: Chief Accountant
- Works closely with: Accounts Payable, Reporting team, and external service providers
Development Opportunity
- System implementations (Concur, NetSuite optimisation)
- Global finance operations across multiple entities
- Opportunities to grow into a broader accounting / reporting role over time
