Senior Accountant- Kwale at African Clean Energy

The role we are currently recruiting for is Senior Accountant. As we are starting to build and expand our business in Kenya, we are looking for a hands-on candidate who is able to partially fulfill the role of Senior Accountant  being responsible for accurate and timely administration of financial transactions in Kenya, so that internal and external reports are a true representation of ACE’s financial position and are a good basis for informed decision making to all internal and external stakeholders of office locations in Kwale. 

At African Clean Energy, you will:

Deliver accurate and up to date financial data

• Ensures that the financial administration is accurate, complete and up to date at all times.
• All reconciliations are performed (including Bank, outstanding micro loans, salary control accounts etc)
• Process payments through  MPESA Paybill and Bulk payment account and perform payment reconciliations for stove payments  from customers
• Prepare vendor payments for authorisation in banking system
• Oversees the proper provision of information by internal stakeholders, such as HR for the payroll, budget holders for returning signed invoices, employees for time sheets, etc. Addresses issues to stakeholders.
• Prepares or coordinates in- and outgoing payments after checking proper supporting documents for authorization.
• Prepare and book the monthly accruals.
• Result: Financial administrative tasks are performed, such that there is a timely fast and accurate processing of data after verified authorization.
• Prepare statutory submissions eg. VAT, wage tax etc.

Monitor progress of financial information

• Prepare the monthly reporting. Including actual vs budget. Perform analysis.
• Ensures well-organized (digital and/or hard copy) financial archives. Provides records and documents instantly, upon request of for instance auditors.
• Support with periodic analyses and reports for internal stakeholders as requested.
• Support the preparation of the annual accounts with related specifications and audit files independently.
• Coordinates accounting duties in compliance with ACE’s system of internal control as well as providing information about accounting entries upon request
• Result: Financial information is available so that the internal and external stakeholders are provided with the correct information.

Describing and improving financial work processes and policies 

• Continuously strives for improvements to mitigate risks and to reach efficiencies. Detects bottlenecks in the administration and checking processes; makes suggestions for improvement and takes required actions independently.
• Ensures clear instructions for work processes are available aligned with global instructions.
• Understands, knows and continuously seeks updates about internal rules and procedures and about external (donor) requirements that are relevant for the financial administration
• Ensures compliance with all relevant statutory requirements
• Result: Work processes are clearly described and continuously improved, in a way that contributes to the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.

People Management 

• Supports account assistants by monitoring the quality, efficiency and quantity of the performance of work and guides, instructs or motivates staff.
• Provides training on the job, introduction, and support as appropriate
• Acts as point of contact for employees with questions and problems on financial issues
• Provides training on the job, introduction, and support as appropriate
• Acts as point of contact for employees with questions and problems on financial issues

We’d really like to hear from you if you have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or related field.
• CPA-K or ACCA; MBA is an added advantage.
• Over 5 years of experience as an Accountant, with at least 3 years of experience managing a team.
• Experience in the Fintech industry is preferred.
• Proficiency in ERP,  SAGE ERP, Odoo, or SAP and accounting software.
• Solid knowledge of financial analysis and forecasting.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools – MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS G-suite 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Swahili or other local languages is a plus.