Chief Accountant at Stratostaff

PROFILE INTRODUCTION:       

• Our client, a leading and innovative player in the floriculture export sector, is seeking a strategic and hands-on Chief Accountant to lead its accounting function & budget operations. This role is pivotal in steering the accounting operations for the company, ensuring financial integrity, and driving process efficiencies.
•  The ideal candidate is a technically sound accounting professional with proven leadership experience. They will be responsible for stabilizing the department, enhancing reporting capabilities, and embedding a culture of accuracy and continuous improvement. This individual will play a key role in automating processes, providing deep-dive financial analysis, and mentoring the team to support the company's ongoing growth and operational excellence.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead the Accounting Function: Oversee and mentor a team of accounting professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous development.
• Ensure Financial Integrity & Compliance: Manage the end-to-end financial closing process, ensuring timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end reporting in full compliance with IFRS and statutory requirements, including specific reporting for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) authority.
• Drive Process Improvement & Automation: Champion the automation of financial processes and systems to streamline operations, reduce manual paperwork, and enhance the efficiency and accuracy of financial reporting and data analysis.
• Strengthen Internal Controls & Policies: Implement and monitor robust internal controls and accounting policies. Train the team to ensure adherence and understanding across the finance department.
• Provide Strategic Financial Insights: Deliver insightful financial analysis, management accounts, and reports to senior management to aid in strategic decision-making. This includes cost analysis, price and FX sensitivity, and departmental performance tracking.
• Manage Stakeholder Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with key external partners, including bankers, auditors, tax authorities (KRA), and other stakeholders.
• Support Budgeting & Forecasting: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop accurate budgets and forecasts, driving completeness and accountability across departments
• Solve Complex Challenges: Apply out-of-the-box thinking to address unique financial and operational challenges that arise in a volatile, high-demand business environment.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

•  Analytical & Data-Focused Thinking
• Leadership & Team Management
• Flexibility & Problem-Solving Agility
• Attention to Detail & Accuracy
• Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication
• Deadline-Driven & Results-Oriented

Requirements

• A Bachelors’ degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. CPA or similar professional qualification is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in accounting, with at least 3 years in a leadership role managing a team.
• Deep technical expertise in IFRS and Kenyan tax regulations.
• A track record of improving processes, implementing automation, and enhancing the quality of financial reporting.
• A flexible, hands-on approach with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and solve diverse challenges as they arise.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with international team members.