Accountant Job (45-55K)

Accounting Jobs.

Reports to: Managing Director

Industry: Food & Beverage Ingredients Distribution

Location: Nairobi with occasional regional travel

Employment Type: Full-Time

Our client, a leading company in the food and beverage ingredients distribution industry, is seeking to recruit a highly analytical, detail-oriented, and results-driven Accountant to oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, inventory accounting, budgeting, tax compliance, and internal controls. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring financial accuracy, maintaining compliance with statutory requirements, supporting operational efficiency, and strengthening financial controls within a dynamic distribution environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Ensure accurate posting and reconciliation of general ledger accounts.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and inventory accounting processes.
• Review journal entries, accruals, and accounting adjustments.
• Maintain fixed asset registers and depreciation schedules.
• Ensure timely month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepare financial reports and management accounts for decision-making purposes.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of accounting records and supporting documentation.

Inventory & Cost Control

• Monitor inventory valuation and stock movement across warehouses and distribution channels.
• Reconcile physical stock counts with ERP and system records.
• Analyze product margins, landed costs, and distribution costs.
• Investigate inventory variances, expiries, damages, and shrinkage.
• Support implementation and monitoring of inventory control procedures.
• Manage multi-warehouse stock accounting and reconciliation processes.
• Support provisioning for expiries and damaged stock.

Tax & Statutory Compliance

• Prepare and file VAT, PAYE, withholding tax, corporate tax, and other statutory returns.
• Ensure compliance with local tax laws, accounting standards, and financial regulations.
• Liaise with tax authorities, auditors, and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain accurate statutory records and compliance documentation.
• Support excise duty reconciliation and reporting where applicable.
• Ensure timely resolution of tax queries and audit matters.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Lead preparation of annual budgets and financial forecasts.
• Monitor departmental expenditure against approved budgets.
• Conduct variance analysis and provide management recommendations.
• Support cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
• Analyze financial trends and provide insights to improve profitability and operational efficiency.

Internal Controls & Audit

• Develop and maintain strong financial controls and accounting policies.
• Coordinate internal and external audit activities.
• Ensure compliance with company financial procedures and internal policies.
• Identify financial risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Monitor implementation of audit recommendations and closure of audit findings.
• Support continuous improvement of accounting workflows and controls.

Accounts Receivable & Credit Management

• Monitor customer credit limits and outstanding balances.
• Support debt collection activities and reconciliation of customer accounts.
• Review customer payment trends and credit performance.
• Prepare ageing reports and recommend provisions for doubtful debts.
• Escalate overdue accounts and recommend credit control actions where necessary.

Treasury & Cash Management

• Monitor daily cash positions and perform bank reconciliations.
• Ensure timely supplier payments and payroll support.
• Manage foreign currency transactions where applicable.
• Support banking relationships and financing documentation.
• Monitor cash flow requirements and support liquidity management.

ERP & Process Improvement

• Ensure proper use and integrity of accounting and ERP systems.
• Support automation of financial processes and reporting systems.
• Recommend improvements to accounting workflows, reporting, and controls.
• Train and support junior accounting staff on accounting systems and procedures.
• Support implementation and optimization of ERP and financial systems.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

KPI

Target

Monthly financial reporting accuracy

100% accuracy

Month-end closing timeline

Within 5 working days

Inventory variance rate

Less than 1%

VAT and statutory filing compliance

100% on time

Accounts receivable aging

Within approved credit terms

Audit findings resolution

100% closure

Bank reconciliations completion

Weekly/monthly on time

Budget variance management

Within approved thresholds

Cash flow forecast accuracy

±10% variance

Supplier payment accuracy

100%

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or a related field
• Professional qualifications such as CPA(K), ACCA, or equivalent are required.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in accounting or finance roles, preferably in FMCG, distribution, manufacturing, or food & beverage industries.
• Experience handling inventory accounting, ERP systems, and statutory compliance.
• Strong proficiency in accounting software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of import costing, warehouse accounting, and tax compliance will be an added advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Leadership and team supervision capability.
• Excellent communication and financial reporting skills.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.
• Integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong business and commercial awareness.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Strong ERP and systems management capability.

Key Personal Attributes

• High le