Job Title: Lead Accountant

Department: Finance

Nairobi, Kenya

Are you ready to bring your accounting expertise to a company that values integrity, transparency, and the pursuit of excellence? At Africa’s Talking, we’re looking for a Lead Accountant who’s ready to take ownership of our financial operations and play a critical role in our growth.

Who we are

It is a challenge for businesses to integrate to multiple telecommunication companies across Africa in order to provide their services on multiple offline/2G channels (SMS, USSD, Voice, Airtime) across countries, to their customers.

Africa’s Talking is a Pan-African, Communications Platform as a Service (cPaaS) company based in Nairobi, Kenya. Our world-class infrastructure is created for developers and relied upon by businesses. To address the problem above, we take away the complexity of multiple integrations by integrating with the different telcos and providing a unified platform that can be consumed by anyone.

The Africa’s Talking API platform now serves over 170,000+ developers and 8,000+ businesses across Africa and beyond.

Africa’s Talking makes Pan African businesses possible and we are seeking a skilled and experienced accountant to join our team!

What we offer

• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a talented team with extensive experience in accounting operations across multiple African countries. At Africa’s Talking, we believe in teamwork and value the unique insights and creativity each member brings.
• Culture of Growth: We thrive on the challenges presented by a diverse and exciting ecosystem, offering great learning and professional development opportunities.
• Mentorship and Training: We are committed to nurturing talent and providing ongoing mentoring and training to help you grow personally and professionally.
• Flexibility: We understand the importance of balance and are dedicated to maintaining a culture that supports your career and personal life.

Position Overview

The ideal candidate is a diligent and resourceful problem solver who will take ownership of critical accounting tasks; and we are hoping that’s you! Through solid experience in these areas, you will be a key player in ensuring the accounting, reporting and tax function will scale and support our growth. Enthusiasm and willingness to learn are key to the success of the Lead Accountant.

In this role, you will be responsible for managing daily accounting operations, preparing financial statements, tax filing, supporting audits and ensuring compliance with financial regulations; while tactically identifying opportunities to optimize processes and drive efficiency. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams, bringing a meticulous eye and collaborative spirit to ensure smooth financial operations that fuel our momentum.

Role and Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Prepare and maintain accurate financial statements and reports for multiple markets
• Assist with the development and maintenance of a rolling, 12-month financial forecasting model
• Support variance analysis for income statement and balance sheet accounts
• Assist in budgeting and forecasting processes

General Ledger Management:

• Prepare and maintain general ledger accounts, ensuring all financial data is accurate and up to date
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing activities

Reconciliation:

• Perform regular account reconciliations, including bank, credit card, and balance sheet accounts
• Reconcile intercompany transactions and other financial accounts

Compliance and Audit:

• Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and regulatory requirements
• Support the annual audit process by interacting with auditors, providing necessary documentation, reports and timely responses to audit requests.
• Ensure compliance with all the statutory bodies by filing and submitting taxes and all other statutory deductions.

Accounts Payable and Receivable:

• Manage accounts email and ensure real time communication with clients and other stakeholders.
• Support the accounts payable function by verifying and inputting invoices received and timely processing of payment.
• Manage accounts receivable processes by ensuring accurate and complete invoicing of customers, and follow-on collections of invoiced amounts.
• Resolve discrepancies or issues relating to customer payments

Process Improvement:

• Identify areas for process improvements in accounting workflows and procedures
• Prepare and maintain documentation for the production of standard reporting processes and procedures, and collaborate to develop and improve formal documentation processes.
• Implement automation tools and software for better financial reporting

Collaboration:

• Work with cross-functional teams to support financial decision-making
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support business operations

Experience Profile

• Proven 3-5 years work experience in an accounting or finance role
• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Accounting and Finance
• Professional certification, CPAK preferred
• A member in good standing of a finance/accounting professional body
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge in accounting operations, financial reporting, analysis and modelling
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks, SAP, or similar ERP systems)

Personal Attribute

• An excellent communicator with the ability to articulate issues to a diverse audience
• An emotionally intelligent individual with the ability to exercise leadership and cultivate relationships with a diverse group of individuals and institutions
• A strong executor with a track record of successful delivery of multiple projects
• An ability to maintain a high level of discretion and ethical standards