Project Accountant

Role Overview

This position is responsible for the complete financial stewardship of a significant construction initiative, operating under the direction of the Chief Finance Officer while maintaining close coordination with the Project Director and Commercial Manager. The day-to-day work involves translating project activity into accurate financial records, controlling expenditure against approved budgets, and giving leadership the visibility needed to make sound decisions. By enforcing disciplined budgeting, cash flow management, and compliance with local and donor requirements, this role directly protects the project's financial health and ensures it can be delivered on time and without fiscal surprises.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project cost baselines, tracking committed, actual, and forecasted spending while producing clear variance analyses and actionable recommendations for management.
• Build rolling cash flow forecasts, coordinate funding disbursements, and monitor drawdowns or capital calls against project milestones to avoid liquidity shortfalls.
• Assess exposure to foreign exchange and inflation movements, recommending the most effective timing and deployment of available cash to preserve value.
• Review contractor and consultant invoices, payment certificates, and supporting evidence for accuracy, contractual alignment, and adherence to internal controls before authorizing payments.
• Record all project transactions in the ERP system, maintain project-specific general ledger accounts, and ensure completed assets are capitalized in line with IFRS and organizational policy.
• Manage Kenyan tax obligations, including accurate input VAT capture and reconciliation, refund follow-ups, and liaison with tax authorities on any disputes or queries.
• Keep a current register of all movable assets acquired during the project, coordinating tagging, documentation, and eventual transfer to the fixed asset register at commissioning.
• Assemble monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, reconciling the budget monitoring tool with the ERP and investigating any discrepancies.
• Support procurement by reviewing financial terms in contracts, performing due diligence on vendors, and ensuring that all agreements comply with donor and regulatory conditions.
• Coordinate the financial aspects of project close-out, including final reconciliations, verification of contractual obligations, preparation of final reports, and capture of lessons learned.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline; a Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Project Management is an added advantage.
• Professional certification such as CPA(K), ACCA, or an equivalent recognized qualification.
• At least seven years of progressive accounting experience, with a minimum of three years focused specifically on project accounting.
• Demonstrated history of managing finances for large-scale construction or infrastructure projects, including budget control, cost forecasting, and progress reporting.
• Prior exposure to donor-funded programs or non-profit organizations is strongly preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with ERP platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics or SAP, combined with strong financial analysis and reporting abilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Kenyan tax legislation, statutory deductions, and financial reporting standards.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance audiences.
• Proven integrity, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• This role is restricted to Kenyan citizens.