SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

Key Responsibilities

A. Financial Performance and Branch EBITDA

● Monitor branch financial performance and provide accurate financial information to support achievement of Branch EBITDA targets.

● Prepare and analyze branch income and expenditure reports, identifying variances against budgets and prior performance. ● Work with the Branch Manager and relevant departments to identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.

● Monitor operating expenses and ensure expenditure is properly authorized, supported by documentation, and recorded accurately.

● Provide analysis of financial performance gaps and recommend corrective actions.

B. Gross Margin (GM) Monitoring

● Monitor branch gross margin performance and analyze variances against agreed targets.

● Review sales, cost of goods sold, discounts, returns, stock adjustments, and other transactions affecting gross margin.

● Investigate unusual margin fluctuations and escalate significant issues to the appropriate stakeholders.

● Collaborate with Sales and Operations to ensure accurate recording of sales and related costs.

● Prepare gross margin reports and recommend measures to minimize avoidable losses and improve margin performance.

C. Budget Cost Savings

● Monitor expenditure against approved branch budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities.

● Track budget utilization and investigate material variances between actual expenditure and approved allocations.

● Ensure branch expenditure is appropriately approved and incurred in line with company policies and budgetary limits.

● Identify unnecessary costs and opportunities to optimize branch resources.

● Maintain records of cost-saving initiatives and report realized savings against agreed targets.

● Support budget preparation, forecasting, and periodic financial reviews.

D. Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC) and Inventory Management

● Monitor inventory-related financial information and support improvement of the Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC).

● Track inventory movement, stock aging, and slow-moving items that may affect working capital efficiency.

● Reconcile physical stock records with system records and financial accounts in coordination with Warehouse and Operations.

● Investigate stock discrepancies, unexplained adjustments, damaged stock, and potential losses.

● Monitor receivables, payables, and inventory-related balances within the branch’s scope.

● Prepare reports highlighting inventory risks and recommend actions to improve stock turnover and cash flow.

● Ensure inventory transactions are recorded accurately and promptly in relevant systems.

E. Financial Reporting: Timeliness and Accuracy

● Prepare and submit daily, weekly, and monthly financial reports within established deadlines.

● Ensure reports are accurate, complete, properly supported, and consistent with accounting records.

● Review financial transactions and supporting documents before posting or reporting.

● Ensure sales, expenses, receipts, payments, stock movements, and other transactions are recorded promptly in relevant systems.

● Investigate reporting errors and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

● Maintain financial records and documentation to support internal and external audits.

F. Departmental Goals and Task Completion

● Complete assigned Finance and Accounts tasks within agreed timelines.

● Track outstanding financial activities and follow up with relevant departments to ensure timely resolution.

● Support departmental objectives and continuous improvement of accounting processes.

● Coordinate with the Branch Manager, Finance Manager, Warehouse, Sales, and other teams to resolve operational and financial issues.

● Communicate delays, risks, or unresolved matters promptly and implement agreed corrective actions.

G. Reconciliations Completion

● Perform regular reconciliations of cash, bank accounts, sales, inventory, receivables, payables, and relevant general ledger accounts.

● Reconcile system-generated reports against supporting documents and independent records.

● Investigate reconciliation differences, identify root causes, and ensure timely resolution.

● Maintain reconciliation schedules with supporting documents and appropriate review or approval.

● Follow up on outstanding items and escalate long-pending differences to the Finance Manager.

● Complete reconciliations within prescribed reporting timelines and company procedures.

H. Internal Controls and Kenyan Statutory Compliance

● Comply with company financial policies, approval limits, accounting procedures, and internal control requirements.

● Verify that payments, expenses, journal entries, and adjustments are supported by appropriate documentation and authorization.

● Support compliance with applicable Kenyan tax and statutory reporting obligations, including relevant VAT, PAYE, withholding tax, and other obligations as applicable to the company.

● Support timely preparation and filing of relevant returns through Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) systems, in coordination with the Finance Manager or tax advisers where required.

● Support compliance with applicable electronic invoicing requirements, including eTIMS where applicable.

● Maintain accurate tax records and reconciliation schedules, and monitor filing and payment deadlines.

● Identify and report irregularities, potential fraud, and control weaknesses; support internal and external audits.

Qualifications and Experience

● Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration (Accounting), or a related field.

● At least 2 years of relevant accounting experience, preferably in a branch-based, distribution, FMCG, retail, or trading environment.

● Practical experience in financial reporting, account reconciliations, budget monitoring, inventory accounting, and cost control.

● Working knowledge of Kenyan tax and statutory compliance requirements; familiarity with KRA iTax and eTIMS where applicable.

● CPA (K), ACCA, or an equivalent professional accounting qualification will be an added advantage.

● Experience using ERP or accounting systems and strong Microsoft Excel skills.

Required Skills and Competencies

● Strong financial and analytical skills.

● High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

● Good understanding of accounting principles and internal controls.

● Ability to analyze financial performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions.

● Strong organization, planning, and time-management skills.

● Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.

● Good communication and interpersonal skills.

● Integrity, confidentiality, accountability, and sound professional judgment.

● Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Working Relationships

Internal : Branch Manager; Finance Manager / Head of Finance; Sales and Distribution; Warehouse and Operations; Procurement and Administration; Head Office Finance and Accounts.

External : Auditors, banks and financial institutions, suppliers, and other authorized business partners on accounting-related matters.

● Accurate and timely branch financial reports.

● Improved visibility and control over branch expenditure and budget utilization.

● Reliable financial information supporting EBITDA and gross margin performance.

● Effective inventory and working capital monitoring.

● Timely reconciliations with outstanding differences investigated and escalated.

● Compliance with financial policies, internal controls, and applicable Kenyan statutory requirements.

● Timely closure of assigned accounting tasks and reporting requirements.

● Documented cost-saving opportunities and follow-up on agreed improvement actions.