The Lilongwe Water Board (Board) is a Statutory Corporation established in 1947 and reconstituted in 1995 under the Water Works Act (cap 72). It is responsible for the provision of water supply services to the City of Lilongwe and other surrounding areas designated as its supply area. In its quest for innovations and reforms in the water supply within Lilongwe City, in line with its strategic vision for growth and service delivery mandate, the Board has conceptualized the production of bottled water as one of the Government approved reform areas for Water Boards in Malawi. It is from this background that the Board invites applications from suitable, qualified, and experienced persons to fill the following vacant positions that exist at the Bottling Plant Unit within the Lilongwe Water Board Establishment:

1. Job Title: Accountant

Grade: LWB 5
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Water Bottling Manager
Responsible for: Assistant Accountant

Purpose of the Job

The Assistant Accountant (Financial Reporting) will be responsible for overseeing the financial management and accounting functions of the bottled water production unit.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Preparing and analyzing financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, to provide timely and accurate financial information to management.

• Conducting variance analysis and identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for cost optimization and revenue enhancement.
• Assisting in the preparation of periodic financial reports and presentations for senior management and external stakeholders.
• Collaborating with the Bottling Unit Manager and other stakeholders to develop annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans for the bottled water production unit.
• Monitoring budget performance, tracking actual expenses against budgeted targets, and providing insights and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Overseeing cost accounting processes, including the calculation of product costs, inventory valuation, and cost allocation.
• Conducting regular inventory reconciliations and ensuring accurate recording and reporting of inventory transactions.
• Analyzing cost drivers and variances to identify areas for cost reduction and process improvement.
• Implementing and maintaining effective internal controls and procedures to ensure compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
• Conducting periodic audits and reviews to assess the effectiveness of internal controls and identify areas for improvement.
• Coordinating with internal and external auditors during financial audits and assisting in the resolution of audit findings and recommendations.
• Documenting and updating accounting policies, procedures, and workflow processes.
• Providing leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the accounting team members, fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning.

• Delegating tasks and responsibilities effectively, ensuring that each team member understands their role and contributes to the unit’s success.
• Conducting performance evaluations, setting performance goals, and providing ongoing feedback and support to facilitate professional development.
• Overseeing the overall management of relevant taxes for the bottling unit
  (VAT, WHT, etc.)
• Ensuring all tax-related matters are handled promptly in liaison with the Director of Finance
• Demonstrating outstanding commitment to service delivery programs of the Board by personally identifying and reporting water bursts/leakages to customer care division of which verifiable repair records shall be tendered to be used as one of the components for assessment during one’s performance appraisal time.

Minimum Academic and Professional Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field Plus ACCA/CIMA or relevant professional certification
• At least 3 years’ experience in accounting roles, with a focus on financial reporting, cost accounting, and inventory management
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial analysis techniques, and internal control frameworks
• Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Excel
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

2. Job Title: Assistant Accountant (Financial Reporting)
Grade: LWB 6
Department : Finance
Reporting to: Accountant

Purpose of the Job
The Assistant Accountant (Financial Reporting) will be responsible for overseeing the financial management and accounting functions of the bottled water production unit, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, compliance with regulatory requirements, and effective internal controls.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting in the preparation of financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, following accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Compiling and analyzing financial data to support the preparation of periodic financial reports and presentations for management and external stakeholders.
• Ensuring accuracy, completeness, and consistency of financial information in reporting documents
• Maintaining and reconciling general ledger accounts, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data.
• Recording and reviewing journal entries, adjustments, and accruals to ensure proper accounting treatment and compliance with accounting principles.
• Assisting in the preparation of month-end and year-end closing procedures.
• Carrying out reconciliations of sales and bank receipts on a daily basis
• Preparing monthly sales-production analysis to identify losses due to theft, damage, or fraud.
• Supporting the Bottling Unit Accountant in conducting financial analysis, variance analysis, and performance metrics tracking to assess the financial health and performance of the bottled water production unit.
• Assisting in identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for cost optimization and revenue enhancement.
• Assisting in maintaining effective internal controls and procedures to ensure compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
• Participating in internal audits and reviews to assess the effectiveness of internal controls and identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborating with the Bottling Unit Accountant to address audit findings and implement corrective actions as needed
• Supporting the implementation and maintenance of financial systems and software applications to streamline accounting processes and enhance efficiency.
• Identifying opportunities for process improvement and automation in financial reporting and accounting operations
• Assisting in documenting and updating accounting policies, procedures, and workflow processes
• Preparing tax returns for relevant taxes applicable to the bottling unit
• Managing the reconciliation of tax accounts for periodic reporting in financial statements
• Demonstrating outstanding commitment to service delivery programs of the Board by personally identifying and reporting water bursts/leakages to customer care division of which verifiable repair records shall be tendered to be used as one of the components for assessment during one’s performance appraisal time.

Minimum Academic and Professional Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a any other related field
• At least 2 years’ experience in an accounting or finance role, preferably in a manufacturing or production environment
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting standards
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting software
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and manage multiple tasks effectively.

3. Job Title: Assistant Accountant (Costing)
Grade: LWB 6
Department: Finance
Reporting to: Accountant

Purpose of the Job

The Assistant Accountant (Costing) will be responsible for supporting the Bottled Water Accountant in overseeing the financial management and cost accounting functions of the bottled water production unit, in addition to ensuring accurate costing, inventory valuation, and cost analysis to support decision-making and operational efficiency.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting in the calculation and analysis of product costs, including direct materials, labor, and overhead expenses, to determine the cost of goods sold and inventory valuation.
• Conducting regular cost variance analysis and investigate discrepancies to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve cost control measures.
• Preparing cost reports and presentations for management review, highlighting key findings and recommendations for improvement
• Supporting the Bottling Unit Accountant in managing inventory transactions, including stock receipts, transfers, and adjustments, to ensure accurate recording and reporting of inventory levels.
• Reconciling physical inventory counts with system records and investigating any discrepancies to maintain inventory accuracy and integrity.
• Assisting in the development and implementation of inventory control procedures to minimize shrinkage and optimize inventory turnover.
• Collaborating with the Bottling Unit Accountant in preparing financial statements, reports, and analyses for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements

• Assisting in the preparation of budget variance analysis and forecasts to support budgeting and financial planning processes.
• Providing support during financial audits and assisting in addressing audit inquiries and findings as needed
• Supervising Warehouse Clerks and providing guidance and direction to ensure efficient warehouse operations.
• Training new Warehouse Clerks on warehouse procedures, safety protocols, and inventory management practices
• Conducting performance evaluations, setting performance goals, and providing feedback to Warehouse Clerks to facilitate professional development and performance improvement.
• Participating in process improvement initiatives to streamline cost accounting and warehouse operations, enhance efficiency, and strengthen internal controls.
• Ensuring compliance with accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls framework, identifying, and addressing any potential areas of noncompliance or risk
• Staying updated on industry best practices, regulatory changes, and accounting standards related to cost accounting and inventory management.
• Working closely with the Bottling Unit Accountant and other team members to achieve departmental goals and objectives.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including production, procurement, and quality assurance, to gather relevant cost and inventory data and support decision-making.

Minimum Academic and Professional Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field
• At least 2 years’ experience in a cost accounting role or similar position preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and prioritize tasks effectively.

LWB is an equal opportunity employer. Therefore, both male and female persons who meet the prerequisite qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply.

Interested persons should submit their application with up-to-date detailed curriculum vitae, to reach the undersigned not later than the 30th April, 2024.

The Chief Executive Officer,
Lilongwe Water Board
P.O BOX 96
Lilongwe.

All late applications shall not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.