Finance Manager (Education Sector)

About the role

A client in the education sector in Nairobi is looking for a Finance Manager to oversee and coordinate all finance functions, including accounting, tax compliance, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting. The role ensures efficient and effective financial management with accurate, timely reporting, and strong financial controls to protect against fraud, theft and errors. The ideal candidate has experience in a business-facing finance environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the annual budget and revised forecasts, and produce monthly management accounts with variance analysis and commentary.
• Analyse financial performance, identify cost-saving opportunities and give insights to senior management.
• Monitor budget performance, investigate variances and prepare regular and ad hoc reports for schools and departments.
• Oversee accounting transactions in Sage, ensuring month-end reporting timelines are met.
• Manage cash flow, working capital and liquidity, banking relationships, loan facilities and investments.
• Maintain and reconcile bank accounts, shareholder and group loans, and support banking users and signatories.
• Act as Sage super-user, covering system administration, chart of accounts, training and new systems.
• Maintain the general ledger, balance sheet accounts, fixed asset register and capital work in progress.
• Prepare half-year and year-end statements, coordinate internal and external audits and ensure statutory and tax compliance.
• Develop and monitor financial policies, internal controls, risk mitigation, insurance management and data protection compliance.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Finance or a related field; a Master's degree is an added advantage.
• CPA (K) or ACCA qualification is mandatory.
• Strong experience with or implementing large ERP systems is essential.
• Excellent time management, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Required skills

• Advanced MS Excel and strong MS Office.
• Solid understanding of IFRS, GAAP and bookkeeping.
• Sage ERP.