Kickstart
Position Title: Director of Finance
Overall purpose of the Role
The Director of Finance is a part of the leadership team reporting to the Chief Operations Officer.
This is the highest skill level finance position in the organization, and the holder of the position will be responsible for the most complex finance management and accounting activities for Kenya and the Country offices. The role involves both strategic and hands-on operational responsibilities and is accountable for organizing and provide effective oversight of financial operations at the individual Country offices. The role oversees diverse income streams (social enterprise activities, institutional grants and funding) as well as business advisory, internal control structures, compliance and overall financial health and stability across the offices.
Key Accountabilities:
Strategic Financial Management
- Provide expert advice to senior managers, President & COO, CEO, Country Offices and Board for decision-making.
- Plan for future financial needs, work closely with Management, President & COO, CEO, and the Board on the scale of organization needs and how to finance them.
- Work with senior managers on long-term efficiency plans and value-for-money improvements.
Budgeting and Financial Planning:
- Prepare and present detailed cash flow projection reports for management and the board of directors.
- Collaborate with the management team to meticulously prepare annual and multi-year budget proposals.
- Oversee the development and implementation of the annual budget, closely monitoring expenses, and identifying strategic cost reduction opportunities.
- Continuously monitor and review financial forecasts, providing recommendations for budget adjustments based on actual performance.
Financial Analysis and Reporting:
- Accountable for preparation and submission of complete, reliable, and timely financial reports for the leadership team and other stakeholders.
- Monthly financial reviews and reporting of all the Country Offices financial management performance
- Prepare detailed financial information, including accounts, financial statements, tax returns, and comprehensive variance analysis reports within set deadlines.
- Maintain correspondence, reports, and other materials and projects and submit reports and documents as deemed necessary for projects such as Board Reports, Budget Reports, Donor Reports etc.
- Manage financial accounting, reporting, and conduct thorough financial analyses for the organization.
- Prepare regular cash flow projection reports for management and the board of directors.
- Prepare timely financial reports for the President & COO, CEO, and the Board.
- Ensure meticulous compliance with the general ledger and established procedures.
Treasury and Cash Flow Management:
- Manage treasury functions to ensure optimal cash flow and liquidity for daily operations.
- Implement effective cash flow forecasting, identifying potential challenges and proposing solutions.
- Monitor and assess the organization's financial position, taking proactive measures to address any cash flow gaps.
- Work closely with the management team to develop strategies for optimizing cash resources and minimizing financial risks.
- Oversee all bank accounts, payments, and fiscal reporting
Donor Relations and Fund Management:
- Develop comprehensive donor budgets for proposal writing, manage donor tracking and ensure timely and accurate reporting.
- Build and maintain professional financial relationships with donors, ensuring effective donor funds management.
- Ensure compliance with donor funding and reporting requirements
Enterprise and Financial Operations Management:
- Oversee the financial management of social enterprise activities, ensuring sustainability.
- Work with managers to develop awareness of financial performance requirements and the need for budgetary control by providing guidance to the costing, pricing, and financial planning of the organization.
- Supervise and lead execution of all aspects of financial operations, including bank accounts, payments, fiscal reporting, and contract review.
- Review all major contracts, leases, and agreements related to enterprise activities to optimize the use of organizational resources.
- Collaborate with senior managers to develop long-term plans for efficiency savings and improvements in value for money within enterprise ventures.
- Provide guidance on costing, pricing, and financial planning specifically tailored for enterprise initiatives.
- Regularly review and update financial systems and accounting software for optimal performance.
Audit, Risk Management and Compliance:
- Develop and implement financial policies, internal control structures, and risk assessments.
- Evaluate policies, procedures, and systems across all offices to safeguard organization assets and ensure strict compliance.
- Evaluate and examine the reliability and integrity of financial information and the efficient and effective use of resources in all the offices.
- Review and ensure that offices are operating by complying with policies, procedures and international accounting and reporting standards and regulations.
- Assist individuals who perform operational and financial activities with risk assessments and action plans in their responsibility areas to heighten awareness of major exposures, loss potential, and /or transactional anomalies and facilitate discussions of practical ways to manage or avoid them.
- Collaborate closely with internal auditors to conduct operational reviews and internal audits, reviewing and implementing recommendations.
- Maintain a strong working relationship with external auditors, managing the entire annual audit process.
Tax Management and Government Regulations Compliance:
- Ensure compliance with tax regulations, preparing tax returns, and providing expert guidance on tax-related matters.
- Collaborate with tax authorities and external tax consultants to address any tax-related inquiries, audits, and changes in regulations.
- Develop and implement tax-efficient strategies to optimize the organization's tax position while maintaining compliance with government regulations.
Team Management and Development:
- Demonstrate and help institute high standards of conduct and ethics as well as appropriate judgment, independence and discretion amongst finance and other key staff.
- Lead the recruitment, training, development, and induction processes for financial management and accounting staff.
- Effectively manage employee performance through weekly/monthly continuous performance discussions, feedback, and goal setting.
- Drive succession planning efforts by identifying and developing talent potential in collaboration with the HR team.
- Emulate the organization's values and foster a positive work culture by rewarding the right behavior.
- Actively engage employees, encouraging and participating in various employee engagement activities to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with major course work in Accounting or Finance.
- Professional accounting qualification such as CPA, ACCA
- Experience working in a social enterprise or a combination of private sector financial management and the NGOs sector (donor funded project environment is mandatory.
- Knowledge and experience in both the Private /commercial sector combined with NGO experience is a distinct advantage
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible working experience in finance/accounting with 5 years at senior management level with demonstrated competency in Strong Leadership and Strategic Management.
- Ability to write reports that conform to prescribed style and format such as Board Reports, Budget Reports, and Financial Statements.
- A good knowledge of ERP financial system – Ability to use computerized financial/Accounting programs such as Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, etc.
- Decisive with the ability to prioritize and communicate key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve organizational objectives
- Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
How to apply
Qualified candidates to apply via email jobs@careermanagementcentre.com clearly indicating the position they are applying for on the email subject as “Director of Finance- Social Enterprise” by COB 20th January, 2024.
Due to the urgency, application will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
NB: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Career Management Centre Limited and our client, Kickstart International, are both proud equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate against applicants on any basis