Financial Director at Kentaste Products Limited

Overview

The Finance Director (FD/CFO) is responsible for achieving the financial goals and objectives as set by the Board of Directors through company budget management, financial management, and risk management strategy. This includes developing and executing a financial budgets and operational strategy, monitoring metrics tied to the budget and strategy, and supporting the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve company assets and report accurate financial results.
In response to high levels of growth, our systems, controls and reporting requirements have evolved. We are seeking an individual with experience in financial analysis, financial reporting, and operations management. Strong leadership capabilities will be a key attribute of the ideal candidate - this individual should be able to instill discipline in the company’s operations and reporting requirements, identifying opportunities for improvements in operational efficiency and seeing these through execution.
The position reports to the Managing Director.

Objectives of this Role

• Oversee the cash flow management and financial planning processes from development to execution
• Perform on-going analysis of margins, costs, and other operational elements that are key drivers of the company’s financial health
• Play a vital role in the Company’s strategic initiatives and advise other executives
• Collaborate closely with the General Manager to ensure that day to day operations are executed efficiently and in alignment to the company’s budget
• Ensure financial reports are timely, have adhered to financial standards, and are accurate
• Develop a budget, report against the budget, and hold all department heads responsible to the budget
• Communicate with the company’s banking and insurance partners
• Responsible for leading new investment initiatives, such as deciding on whether to proceed with new acquisitions or capital expenditures

Responsibilities

1. A. Finance Management and Reporting
   1. Prepare and submit financial plans and budgets in consultation with the Managing Director and all department heads
   2. Guide the business in ensuring compliance to the budget; all variances to be reported in the monthly report with reasons and recommendations
   3. Manage the company’s cash flow and working capital including cashflow forecasting, investment of excess cash, inter-account transfers and debt collection.
   4. Ensure proper use of the accounting system (SAP) for accurate data capturing, processing and reporting with emphasis on the manufacturing module to better manage the cost of sales, gross margin and Inventory valuation and management
   5. Work collaboratively with all department heads to develop effective analyses that consider data such as trends, comparisons and ratios to generate financial insights
   6. Prepare and submit timely and accurate weekly, monthly, quarterly, half year and annual management accounts with defined findings, conclusions and recommendations to help the business in decision making
   7. Maintain proper and accurate balance sheet schedules to support all balance sheet line items including fixed assets register, monthly bank and cash reconciliation, loan schedules etc
   8. Take initiative to run extra analysis and reports that will help the business in process improvement and for knowing purpose; the extra analysis may be requested by the HODs (Profitability analysis, etc.)
   9. Full compliance within all tax and statutory matters (income tax, PAYE, VAT, excise tax, withholding taxes, NHIF, NSSF, NITA etc.)
   10. Ensure that the annual accounts are audited within three months of the year-end being the lead contact with external auditors
   11. Maintain relationships with the company’s bankers, lawyers, company secretary, insurance brokers and suppliers and other service providers and ensure that the company receives excellent service at all times
2. B. Administration
   1. Support the Managing Director in fundraising and investor relations by providing relevant business information and analysis
   2. Support in grant application and ensure accurate reporting for grants
   3. Oversee procurement operations, approving purchasing requisitions and authorize supplier payments
   4. Set performance targets for departmental staff, allocate work, monitor and review performance and train staff as needed while offering leadership to the team.
   5. Conduct training for non-finance managers to help other HODs think commercially and enhance collaboration while reducing unnecessary competition
3. C. Commercial Operations
   1. Continually review business processes and recommend improvements that will create more efficiencies
   2. Work with the sales team in determining the best sales mix and follow through with the production manager for the right production mix that will influence the sourcing
   3. Attend EXCO meetings and any other ad hoc meetings that may be called to create alignment for alignment to the budget and as most commercial decisions affect finance
   4. Support timely delivery of orders by efficiently resolving challenges faced regarding order approvals, invoicing and margin analysis for orders that do not meet the set margin
   5. Support business development initiatives through the timely negotiation of business terms

Skills

1. Able to communicate clearly, effectively and confidently
2. Strong decision-making and problem solving
3. Strong leadership qualities with the ability to delegate, motivate and inspire team members
4. Honesty, integrity and strong work ethic
5. Highly organized and proactive in nature
6. Proven ability to develop and maintain financial plans
7. Strong working knowledge of operational procedures
8. Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

1. A minimum of 7 preferably 10 years’ experience in a senior role
2. CPA designation
3. Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business.
4. Up to date knowledge of current financial and accounting computer applications
5. Advanced MS Office and Excel skills
6. Presentation skills using Powerpoint and other applications
7. Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational and written skills.
8. Advanced experience with SAP or similar accounting systems and in financial reporting