Chief Accountant at Summit Recruitment and Search

Industry: Agriculture
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: KES 100k
Benefit: Accommodation provided

Job summary

Our client is an exporter and distributor of fresh vegetables, fruits and horticultural crops of from Kenya. They seek to hire a Chief Accountant who will be managing and coordinating the Company’s accounting function ensuring compliance with finance and accounting policies, business controls and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure that consolidated management reports are submitted in a timely manner
• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Provide insights into financial performance, including variance analysis and trend identification
• Gather information and input for budgeting purposes in a timely and efficient manner
• Analyze historical financial data and trends to develop accurate and realistic budget projections
• Ensure that budgets are comprehensive, covering all relevant income and expense categories
• Develop and maintain financial forecasting models to project future financial performance
• Regularly update forecasts to reflect changes in business conditions, market dynamics, and internal factors
• Prepare reports on future revenue and expenditure expectations as required
• Maintain and reconcile the general ledger accounts
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records
• Validate transactions in the Accounting System
• Monitor cash flows and prepare cash flow forecasts
• Manage working capital and optimize cash utilization
• Support group audits and consolidation processes
• Ensure compliance with accounting principles and regulations
• Maintaining the company – wide control environment, monitor and report compliance gaps and drive improvement
• Collaborate with external auditors during annual audits
• Develop and update company finance policies, procedures and processes manual
• Research on technical accounting and tax matters and ensure compliance at group level
• Prepare and file tax returns, ensuring compliance with local and federal tax laws
• Stay updated on changes in tax regulations
• Lead the month-end and year-end closing processes
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting
• Utilize accounting software and systems to streamline financial processes
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and automation
• Provide guidance and support to junior accounting staff and local finance teams as required
• Foster a culture of learning and development within the team
• Drive discussions with the senior management team in formulating the future direction of the company with both strategic and tactical initiatives.
• Strategically steer the financial ship of the company in regards to current and future financial status
• Develop and continuously maintain a credible financial plan (budget, forecasting) that supports the organisation’s strategic objectives, including long-term stability
• Will act as the ‘moral compass,’ assisting in guiding the business to profitability and beyond and support on the business strategic plan
• Support in organisational fund raising

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a business related field
• CPA (K) finalist or ACCA
• At least 7 years’ experience and 3 years’ experience in management in a fast-paced Finance department with an all-round knowledge of all finance processes in a group setting
• Experience in horticulture or agribusiness will be an added advantage
• Excellent understanding of accounting and reporting standards and procedures.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good leadership skills with the ability to direct and supervise
• Preparation of consolidated financial statements
• Proficiency in ERP
• Advanced Excel skills
• Multi-cultural work background
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent Interpersonal skills
• High integrity