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. Requirements 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. Expected Deliverables: ● 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.