Finance Operations Manager at Centum

Job Details

Key Responsibilities.

• Financial Operations and Reporting
  • Manage day-to-day financial operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable and inventory
  • General ledger accounting including prepayments, accruals, payroll accounting & tax accounting 
  • Accurate Revenue reporting by ensuring compliance to revenue recognition as per signed contracts recorded in CRM both for IFRS reporting and management reporting
  • Timely & accurate month end financial books’ closure 
  • Preparation of management & statutory financial reports including variance analysis, KPIs and relevant insightful commentaries
  • Preparation of financial forecasts including the primary financial statements
• Cash flow & Treasury management 
  • Oversee all daily finance operations, ensuring liquidity for ongoing projects and corporate needs 
  • Maintain strict cashflow discipline, liaising with the Collections Officer for collections and the business teams for payments
  • Forecast, monitor and report operational cash flow positions weekly, identifying risks and proposing corrective actions.
  • Manage working capital to optimize use of own cash, customer deposits and bank financing.
• Project finance and cost control 
  • Supervise project accountants across all developments, currently these being Nairobi, Vipingo & Entebbe and ensure budget discipline
  • Track project costs and margins against approved budgets, initiating corrective measures when variances arise
  • Review and recommend for approval project payment certificates only after verifying progress and budget alignment.
• Compliance and reporting 
  • Ensure full statutory compliance in line with IFRS and local reporting standards.
  • Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual statutory returns (VAT, corporate tax, payroll taxes).
  • Maintain compliance with all debt covenants, submitting accurate lender reports on time.
• Governance, risk and audit
  • Implement robust internal controls to safeguard assets and prevent leakages.
  • Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring timely resolution of findings.
  • Maintain a risk register for finance operations, escalating significant issues promptly.

Requirements

Core competencies & Qualifications:

• Minimum 8 years progressive finance experience, with at least 4 years in real estate development, construction, or other capital-intensive sectors.
• Demonstrate experience in multi-project finance operations with complex funding structures.
• Strong understanding of IFRS and statutory reporting frameworks.
• Proven track record in cashflow optimization, debt covenant compliance, and cost control.
• Commercial acumen - deep understanding of real estate cash cycles, project financing, and profitability drivers.
• Analytical rigour - advanced excel and financial modeling skills, with ability to turn numbers into actionable insights.
• Demonstrate experience working with a large ERP.
• Execution focus -  ability to deliver under high pressure, balancing multiple priorities.
• Stakeholder management - skilled in liaising with banks, investors, contractors, auditors, and regulators.
• Leadership - ability to lead and mentor finance teams, fostering accountability and performance excellence.
• Minimum KCSE B+ and a Bachelor’s Degree (Second Upper)  degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field; CPA, ACCA, or equivalent required.