Junior Accountant

Job Title: Junior Accountant
Organisation: Dwellings Group
Location: Heartland Plaza Chaguanas
Reports To: Group Senior Accountant 

Job Overview      
Dwellings Group is seeking a detail-oriented and well-organised candidate to join its regional finance team in the position of Junior Accountant, based in Trinidad. Reporting to the Group Senior Accountant, this role performs day-to-day accounting activities for the Trinidad operation, supports the monthly financial close process, and provides operational support to the broader finance priorities established by the Group Finance Manager.

This is a development role designed to build long-term capability within the Group Finance function. The successful candidate will receive structured training and progressively assume ownership of higher-level accounting, reporting, and selected compliance support responsibilities as competence is demonstrated. The role also supports cross-training, operational resilience, and succession planning across the regional finance team under the guidance of the Group Senior Accountant and final oversight of the Group Finance Manager.

Essential Functions

1. Daily Accounting Operations on Odoo

• Perform daily reconciliation of all bank accounts (RBL TTD, USD and EURO), Stripe online sales account, cash registers and corporate credit cards on Odoo.
• Download and format CSV bank files in line with the Group’s accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls; upload to Odoo and reconcile entries against clearing accounts daily.
• Reconcile the merchant settlement accounts (POS) against RBL merchant statements daily, ensuring debit and credit card receipts are matched correctly by branch.
• Investigate and clear suspense and clearing account balances daily, escalating unresolved or unusual items to the Group Senior Accountant and, where material, to the Group Finance Manager.
• Ensure deposit bags, deposit books and cheque books are secured and re-stocked.

2.  Accounts Payable Processing

• Enter supplier bills in Odoo with proper coding (expense / asset / prepayment), VAT treatment, attached PDF support and required management approvals.
•  Maintain vendor records and ensure vendor accounts are kept up to date and fully reconciled.
•  Draft local Accounts Payable payment runs for review by the Group Senior Accountant prior to submission to the Group Finance Manager for final review, approval, and release.
• Update payments in Odoo once executed and send remittance advices to suppliers.
• Liaise with suppliers on invoice queries, statements and payment status under the direction of the Group Senior Accountant.

3. Accounts Receivable Management

•  Monitor accounts receivable, including Design Studio customer accounts, and reconcile trade accounts on Odoo.
• Send periodic AR balances to the sales team for feedback and follow-up on overdue or delinquent accounts.
• Process customer payments and apply correctly to invoices or on-account where applicable.
• Monitor customer deposit balances and escalate concerns promptly to the Group Senior Accountant and, where material, to the Group Finance Manager.

4. Inventory Close-Off Support

• Assist the Group Finance Manager with monthly inventory close-off activities, including inventory clearing accounts, stock movement reconciliations, and related month-end inventory controls.
• Liaise with the Inventory Controller to ensure all transfers, receipts and validation entries are completed in Odoo before close.
• Investigate and clear Stock Interim balances at month-end and document remaining items for follow-up.
• Review cycle count adjustments and provide supporting schedules where required.

5.  Month-End Close Process

• Participate in the monthly Financial Statement Close Process (FSCP) under the direction of the Group Senior Accountant, ensuring all close deliverables are completed within the Group close timetable prior to final review and sign-off by the Group Finance Manager.
• Maintain prepayments and accruals schedules; create assets in Odoo for new prepayments and fixed asset additions and ensure depreciation/amortisation pro-ratas correctly.
• Maintain the vendor checklist and ensure all bills relating to the period are accounted for or accrued, with reversals correctly dated for the following month.
• Reconcile sub-ledgers to the General Ledger for AP, AR, intercompany, prepayments and fixed assets.

6. Statutory Compliance Support

• Assist the Group Senior Accountant with the preparation of monthly statutory remittances, payroll taxes, indirect taxes, and related regulatory filings primarily for Trinidad, while supporting broader cross-training initiatives and business continuity activities across the regional finance team as required.
• Maintain orderly filing of statutory working papers, payment confirmations, supporting schedules, and regulatory correspondence in line with the Group’s record retention standards.
• Review statutory deadlines, supporting documentation, reconciliations, and filing requirements to help ensure submissions are complete, accurate, and made on a timely basis.
• Progressively build capability in statutory preparation, payroll-related compliance, and regulatory support under the review of the Group Senior Accountant and final oversight of the Group Finance Manager, supporting operational resilience and succession planning during the transition period prior to the appointment of the full-time Payroll Officer.
• Escalate unusual compliance matters, filing issues, statutory variances, or regulatory queries promptly to the Group Senior Accountant and, where material, to the Group Finance Manager for direction and resolution.

7.  Records Management & Audit Support

• Maintain orderly financial records and documentation, both physical and digital, in line with the Group’s accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Assist with year-end audit preparation, including audit schedules and responses to auditor requests.
• Assist with other accounting tasks and projects as required by the Group Senior Accountant or Group Finance Manager.

Requirements        

• Completion of ACCA Level 1 or pursuing ACCA Foundation in Accountancy (FIA) / equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years' proven experience in a junior accounting role; experience in retail or a high-volume inventory environment is an asset.
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems (Odoo experience considered an advantage).
•  Working knowledge of IFRS principles.
•  Familiarity with statutory filings in Trinidad; exposure to Barbados statutory requirements through cross-training or prior experience would be considered an advantage.
•  Experience with online banking (RBL experience considered an advantage).
•  Tech-savvy with high proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and a desire for accuracy and completeness.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively across departments and with suppliers.