Finance Manager

About the role

Sabar Airlines, a regional airline with its main office at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, is looking for a Finance Manager to lead the finance function across its Nairobi, Mogadishu and Juba branches. The post reports to the General Manager and advises the GM and the Board on financial stewardship, internal controls, cash and revenue management and risk-informed decisions. It is a fixed contract of 12 months, renewable on satisfactory performance, with regular travel to Mogadishu and Juba.

Key responsibilities

• Set the direction, priorities and work plan of the finance function and advise the GM and Board on financial performance, pricing, investment and funding.
• Establish finance policies, procedures and a Delegation of Authority applied consistently across branches.
• Direct finance operations including budgeting, accounting, treasury, payables, receivables, payroll and financial reporting, with month-end and year-end closes and annual statements in line with IFRS.
• Prepare the annual budget and cash-flow forecast and monitor performance against it.
• Ensure passenger, cargo and excess baggage revenue is recorded, banked and reconciled to the reservations system daily, and control cash collection points and bank accounts.
• Run inter-branch accounting and reconcile balances monthly across the three branches, and manage travel agent credit limits and overdue receivables.
• Design internal controls and segregation of duties, identify and manage financial and fiduciary risks, and ensure tax and statutory obligations in Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan are met on time.
• Coordinate external audit and responses to internal audit findings.
• Produce monthly management accounts and a KPI dashboard, own the Odoo ERP finance configuration, and lead, coach and develop finance staff including Station Accountants.
• Represent the airline with banks, auditors, tax and civil aviation authorities, suppliers and travel partners.

Required profile

• University degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or Business Administration; a full professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CPA, CA or CIMA) is required; a Master's degree is an advantage.
• At least 10 years of progressive finance experience, including 5 years at senior management level.
• Experience running finance across more than one country or branch, including inter-branch accounting.
• Proven record of building internal controls in a cash-intensive environment.
• Fluent English; knowledge of Somali is an added advantage.

Required skills

• Hands-on experience with an ERP accounting system (Odoo preferred).
• Airline, travel or aviation finance experience, including passenger and cargo revenue accounting, is a strong advantage.
• Strong analytical skills, leadership of dispersed teams and clear communication of financial results to non-finance managers and the Board.