Contact
Meet the Standard.
Tell us the role you cannot fill or the HR function you cannot staff. We will tell you plainly whether we are the firm for it.
Contact
Tell us the role you cannot fill or the HR function you cannot staff. We will tell you plainly whether we are the firm for it.
Vacancy
Salary: KES 0-300,000
Our client, Mashambani Farm Inputs Eldoret Limited, operating in the agricultural and veterinary inputs distribution sector, is seeking a qualified and experienced Finance Manager. Reporting to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will lead the finance function, overseeing financial reporting, stock and inventory controls, cash flow, credit management, budgeting and statutory compliance while providing financial insights to support business performance and growth. The role requires a hands-on finance professional with experience in FMCG or high-volume distribution, where inventory management, product margins, supplier trade terms and seasonal working capital are critical to financial performance. The Finance Manager will also lead and develop the finance team, strengthen internal controls and support sound financial decision-making across the business.
The successful candidate should meet the following academic, professional and experience requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Commerce (Accounting or Finance), Economics or a related field.
Desirable
Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration or a related field.
Essential
Certified Public Accountant, CPA(K).
Membership of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) in good standing.
Desirable
ACCA, CIMA or another recognised professional qualification in addition to CPA(K).
Essential
At least five (5) years of progressive accounting and finance experience, of which at least two (2) to three (3) years must have been in a supervisory or management role.
Desirable
Experience as the most senior finance professional in a growing, owner-led business.
Essential
At least three (3) years' experience in a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) environment, such as manufacturing, distribution, wholesale or retail of consumer goods, agro-inputs or veterinary products.
Direct responsibility for high-volume, multi-product stock, price lists and supplier trade terms.
Desirable
FMCG experience in agro-inputs, agrochemicals, fertilisers, seeds, animal health or food distribution.
Experience managing financial operations across several branches or depots.
Essential
Hands-on experience in stock accounting, stock counts, valuation and margin analysis at product level.
Desirable
Experience in batch and expiry tracking and first-expiry, first-out stock management.
Essential
Working knowledge of Kenyan tax law, including VAT, eTIMS, corporation tax, withholding tax and PAYE.
Desirable
Experience handling KRA audits and the VAT treatment of agricultural inputs.
Essential
Working knowledge of at least one accounting or ERP system, such as QuickBooks, Sage or a similar system.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Desirable
Experience implementing or upgrading an ERP, point-of-sale or inventory system.
Certificate of Good Conduct.
Clean credit reference record.
Satisfactory professional references.
Desirable
Membership of other relevant professional bodies.
The successful candidate should demonstrate the following capabilities:
1. Technical Accounting
Ability to produce accurate accounts and financial reports on time and correctly apply IFRS and Kenyan tax requirements.
2. Commercial Acumen and FMCG Financial Management
A strong understanding of sales volumes, product margins, stock turns and cash conversion, with the ability to identify margin losses, slow-moving products and opportunities for corrective action.
3. Financial and Commercial Analysis
Ability to translate sales, stock and cost data into reliable financial insights and practical recommendations for the directors.
4. Internal Controls and Attention to Detail
A disciplined approach to reconciliations, financial documentation, approvals and the timely identification of financial irregularities.
5. Integrity and Confidentiality
High standards of honesty, professional conduct and discretion when handling cash, stock, financial records and commercially sensitive information.
6. Planning and Organisation
Ability to manage monthly reporting, year-end activities, statutory deadlines and seasonal business demands effectively.
7. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Ability to explain financial matters clearly to directors, branch employees, suppliers, customers and other stakeholders.
8. Leadership and Team Development
Ability to lead, motivate and develop a finance team, delegate responsibilities appropriately and support employee performance.
9. Hands-on Financial Management
Willingness and ability to undertake detailed financial and accounting responsibilities personally within a lean and growing business.
The Finance Manager will be responsible for the following areas, with indicative time allocations as provided in the job description.
1. Inventory, Stock Control and Cost of Sales (20%)
Own the accuracy of stock records across the main store, branches and outlets, at product (SKU) and batch level.
Plan and supervise monthly cycle counts and the annual stock take, investigate variances and recommend write-offs for approval.
Value stock correctly, including provisions for slow-moving, damaged and near-expiry products.
Monitor stock ageing and expiry, and work with sales and procurement to clear near-expiry stock before it loses value.
Track stock turns, days of stock cover and stock-outs by product category, and advise on optimal stock levels ahead of each season.
Ensure goods received, transfers between locations and returns to suppliers are correctly documented and posted.
Reconcile cost of sales and gross margin each month against stock movements.
2. Financial Reporting and Accounting (15%)
Maintain complete and accurate books of account in line with IFRS for SMEs or full IFRS, as applicable.
Prepare monthly management accounts within ten working days of month end, including profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow and key commentary.
Report profitability by branch, product category, channel and major customer.
Prepare the annual financial statements and lead the external audit to a timely, clean conclusion.
Maintain the chart of accounts, fixed asset register and month-end closing checklist.
Prepare board and shareholder reports as required by the directors.
3. Financial Planning, Budgeting and Analysis (10%)
Prepare the annual budget with the directors and department heads, and phase it by month to reflect seasonal trading.
Report and explain monthly variances against budget and the prior year.
Prepare rolling 13-week cash flow forecasts and seasonal working capital plans.
Evaluate investment proposals such as new branches, vehicles, warehousing and systems.
Model the financial effect of pricing, supplier terms, new product lines and business growth options.
4. Sales Finance, Pricing, Margins and Trade Terms (10%)
Maintain approved price lists and ensure selling prices are updated promptly when supplier costs change.
Analyse gross margin by SKU, category, customer and channel, and highlight loss-making or low-margin lines.
Track and claim supplier rebates, volume discounts, promotional support and other trade incentives in full and on time.
Evaluate customer discounts, promotions and trade terms before approval, and measure their return.
Support the sales team with customer profitability and sales performance reports.
5. Credit Control and Collections (10%)
Develop and enforce the credit policy for agro-dealers, institutions, farmer groups and other credit customers.
Assess new credit applications and recommend credit limits and terms for approval.
Monitor debtor ageing weekly, follow up overdue accounts and escalate where necessary.
Reconcile customer accounts and resolve disputes promptly.
Recommend provisions for doubtful debts and manage recovery of bad debts.
6. Treasury, Cash and Banking (10%)
Oversee daily cash-ups and banking at all sales points.
Reconcile bank accounts, M-Pesa till and paybill accounts and card collections daily or weekly.
Manage supplier payment schedules within available cash and agreed credit terms.
Manage banking relationships, facilities and covenants, and negotiate financing that fits the seasonal cycle.
Safeguard cheque books, banking tokens and payment authorities in line with approved signing limits.
7. Tax and Statutory Compliance (10%)
Ensure correct VAT treatment of standard-rated, zero-rated and exempt products, and timely filing of VAT returns.
Ensure all sales and purchase invoices comply with KRA's electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS).
Prepare and file corporation tax, instalment tax and withholding tax returns.
Ensure accurate PAYE, NSSF, SHIF, Affordable Housing Levy and NITA remittances.
Keep business permits, licences and other regulatory payments current.
Manage KRA correspondence, audits and objections.
8. Payroll Management (5%)
Review and approve the monthly payroll before payment, including new staff, exits, overtime, commissions and deductions.
Reconcile payroll to employee records and statutory returns.
Ensure the confidentiality and security of payroll information.
9. Internal Controls, Risk and Financial Systems (5%)
Design, document and enforce financial controls, including segregation of duties, approval limits and access rights.
Strengthen controls over cash handling, stock, point-of-sale transactions and supplier payments at every location.
Lead the effective use of the accounting, point-of-sale and inventory systems, and recommend and implement improvements.
Identify fraud and financial risks and put preventive and detective controls in place.
Keep the company's insurance cover adequate for its stock, cash, assets and liabilities.
10. Leadership and People Management (5%)
Lead, coach and develop the finance team, set objectives and appraise performance.
Allocate work and maintain the month-end and year-end timetables.
Build finance awareness among branch and sales staff, particularly on cash, stock and credit discipline.
Act as a trusted adviser to the Managing Director and the directors.
The Finance Manager's performance will be assessed against agreed indicators, with specific targets established annually in consultation with the Managing Director.
Financial Reporting
Management accounts delivered within ten working days of month end.
Annual external audit completed on schedule without material adjustments.
Inventory and Stock Management
Stock count variances maintained within approved tolerances.
Monitoring the value of expired and written-off stock as a percentage of sales.
Stock turns and days of stock cover monitored by product category.
Profitability and Gross Margins
Gross margin performance against budget by product category.
Supplier rebates and incentives claimed accurately, in full and on time.
Cash Flow and Credit Management
Debtor days and the proportion of outstanding debts exceeding 60 days.
Timely reconciliation of bank and mobile money transactions.
No unexplained cash shortfalls.
Tax and Statutory Compliance
Timely filing and payment of all tax and statutory obligations without penalties or interest.
Budgeting and Forecasting
Annual budget approved before the beginning of the financial year.
Accuracy of cash flow forecasts.
Internal Controls
Resolution of audit findings within agreed timelines.
No significant financial control failures.
People Management
Finance team objectives established.
Performance appraisals completed within the required timelines.
The Finance Manager will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to support sound financial management across the business.
Managing Director and directors.
Branch and outlet managers.
Sales teams.
Stores and procurement staff.
Human Resources.
External Stakeholders
Suppliers, manufacturers and distributors.
Banks and mobile money providers.
Kenya Revenue Authority and other statutory bodies.
External auditors and tax advisers.
Insurance providers.
Credit customers.
Decision-Making Authority
The Finance Manager will exercise the following responsibilities within the authority delegated by the directors:
Approve payments, credit limits, price changes and stock adjustments within established limits.
Recommend decisions requiring higher-level approval, including stock write-offs, new financing arrangements, capital expenditure and amendments to credit policy.
Establish and enforce finance procedures and controls across the company.
Recruit, manage and appraise finance staff in consultation with the Managing Director.
Additional Information
The Finance Manager safeguards the financial integrity of the company while driving profitable growth through sound stock, cash and credit discipline, reliable reporting and full compliance across all functions.
This job description is not exhaustive, and the Finance Manager may be assigned other reasonable duties in line with the role. It will be reviewed periodically as the business develops.