Senior Manager - Commercial (Development Accounting)

Lead development accounting and commercial finance activities for development programs and projects, ensuring accurate financial reporting, cost governance, budget control, and financial performance management throughout the project lifecycle.

Provide financial and commercial oversight of development expenditures, commitments, forecasts, and investment performance to support informed decision-making and effective capital management.

Drive financial governance, compliance, and process excellence while supporting strategic development and commercial objectives.

Section III: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/ ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development accounting activities across assigned development projects, portfolios, and capital investment programs.
• Oversee project cost accounting, capitalization processes, expenditure tracking, accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting activities.
• Manage development budgets, forecasts, commitments, cash flow projections, and financial performance monitoring.
• Review and validate project-related financial transactions, contractor payments, consultant invoices, and capital expenditure allocations.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, capitalization policies, financial governance requirements, and internal controls.
• Collaborate with Development, Commercial, Project Delivery, Procurement, Treasury, and Finance teams to ensure financial alignment and reporting accuracy.
• Support business case development, investment evaluations, development feasibility assessments, and financial decision-making processes.
• Monitor project financial risks, funding requirements, cost variances, and forecast changes, recommending corrective actions where necessary.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end development accounting activities and reporting requirements.
• Prepare financial reports, executive dashboards, management presentations, and governance submissions related to development performance.
• Coordinate audit activities and ensure the availability of accurate financial records, supporting documentation, and accounting evidence.
• Lead and develop development accounting teams while promoting continuous improvement, automation, and financial best practices.

Section IV: KEY INTERACTIONS

Key Internal Interactions

• Development Teams
• Commercial Teams
• Project Delivery Teams
• Finance and Accounting Teams
• Treasury Team
• Procurement Department
• Internal Audit
• Executive Leadership

Key External Interactions

• External Auditors
• Consultants
• Contractors
• Financial Advisors
• Regulatory Authorities
• Service Providers

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.

Professional Certifications

• CPA, ACCA, CA, CMA, SOCPA, CFA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred.

Skills

• Development accounting
• Project and capital accounting
• Financial reporting
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Cost management and analysis
• Capital expenditure governance
• Financial controls and compliance
• ERP and financial systems
• Stakeholder management
• Leadership and team development

Experience

Years of Experience

• 10–15 years of progressive experience in accounting, development accounting, commercial finance, project finance, financial reporting, or related disciplines.

Nature of Experience

• Managing accounting and financial reporting activities for major development, infrastructure, construction, or capital investment projects.
• Overseeing project cost accounting, capitalization, budgeting, and forecasting processes.
• Supporting development feasibility, investment evaluation, and financial performance management.
• Managing financial governance, audits, and compliance requirements within complex project environments.
• Leading finance or accounting teams and supporting executive-level decision-making through financial analysis and reporting.