Project Accountant

Role Overview

This role serves as the financial steward for a major construction project, overseeing all accounting processes from initial budget setup through final asset handover. You will collaborate daily with the Chief Finance Officer and the Project Director to ensure every expenditure is tracked, reported, and compliant with internal policies and donor requirements. The position matters because accurate financial control directly supports on-time, on-budget delivery and protects the organisation from fiscal risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain cost baselines, then monitor committed, actual, and forecasted expenditures to identify variances and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare rolling cash flow forecasts, coordinate funding disbursements with the project team, and assess foreign exchange and inflation impacts on liquidity.
• Review contractor invoices, payment certificates, and supporting documentation for accuracy and policy compliance, then ensure timely payments while resolving queries with project and finance teams.
• Record all transactions in the ERP system, maintain project-specific general ledger accounts, and capitalise completed assets in accordance with accounting standards such as IFRS.
• Manage tax compliance by capturing input VAT, filing statutory returns, following up on refunds, and liaising with tax authorities on any issues.
• Maintain an up-to-date register of all movable project assets, coordinate tagging and custody, and transfer assets to the fixed asset register upon commissioning.
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, reconciling budget tool data with the ERP system and investigating discrepancies.
• Support procurement and contract oversight by reviewing financial terms, conducting vendor due diligence, and maintaining a project risk register that highlights financial exposures.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; a master's degree in Finance or Project Management is an advantage.
• Professional accounting certification such as CPA (K) or ACCA is required.
• Minimum seven years of progressive accounting experience, with at least three years dedicated to project accounting for large-scale construction or infrastructure projects.
• Experience with donor-funded or non-profit organisations is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics or SAP, plus strong financial analysis and reporting skills.
• In-depth knowledge of Kenyan tax laws, statutory deductions, and financial regulations.
• Proven ability to produce variance analyses, cash flow models, and detailed financial reports.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for liaising with contractors, consultants, internal departments, and donors.
• High integrity, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.