Chief Accountant at Sistema Biobolsa in Nairobi, Kenya

    Sistema Biobolsa logo

    Chief Accountant

    Sistema BiobolsaNairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    2 days ago

    Apply by

    13 Oct

    Full Time
    On Site
    Managerial
    Agriculture, Fishing & Forestry
    Accounting, Auditing & Finance

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    Job Description

    Sistema Biobolsa is seeking a Chief Accountant to oversee financial operations in Nairobi, Kenya. The role involves managing cash flow, ensuring tax compliance, maintaining accounting controls, driving process improvements, and leading a finance team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in accounting, ERP systems like Odoo, and a passion for environmental impact.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Plan cash flow to ensure timely payments within budget; oversee receivables, payables, and inventory controls in Odoo; ensure reconciliations target 100% accuracy on cost allocation and budget alignment.
    • Oversee tax obligations in Kenya, including timely preparation and submission of returns per KRA calendar, tax audits, assessments, and KRA correspondence; monitor tax legislation changes and maintain complete tax records.
    • Manage day-to-day accounting in line with IFRS and company policies; lead statutory audit and liaise with external auditors; monitor compliance with accounting policies; safeguard company assets; oversee inventory management with monthly stock-take support, keeping write-offs below KES 0.5M per month with no material audit issues.
    • Maintain integrity of Odoo system, ensuring data integrity and system controls; lead automation and efficiency initiatives aiming for a gradual 10% reduction in time or transactions; document processes to support training.
    • Coach and mentor the team, keep skills up to date through training, ensure every role has an updated JD and CF and a development plan, supported by regular performance reviews.

    Required Qualifications

    • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field.
    • CPA-K qualification or an equivalent professional qualification in Finance/Accounting.
    • Experience in ERP Odoo is an added advantage.
    • Minimum 4 years in a finance and accounting department, with experience in ledger and cash flow management.
    • Proven leadership and strong team management experience, including working with a multicultural team.
    • Multinational work experience.
    • Strong communication skills, a compliance focus, and keen attention to detail.
    • Passionate about numbers and data; honest, empathetic, energetic, and a problem solver with a doer mindset and a desire to positively impact the environment.
    • This is a full-time position based in Nairobi, Kenya.
    • Starting as soon as possible.
    • Reports to the Financial Controller and manages the Accountant and Senior Accountant.

    Job Details

    Estimated Salary Range

    KES 195,000 – 285,000 / monthBased on Kenyan market rates for similar roles

    Job Function

    Accounting, Auditing & Finance

    Minimum Experience

    4 years

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Accounting

    Field of Study

    Accounting

    Languages

    English

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the Sistema Biobolsa careers page at sistemaaccount.bamboohr.com. Ensure your application highlights your CPA-K qualification, Odoo ERP experience, and multinational finance background.

    Mastering the Odoo-Driven Finance Interview at Sistema Biobolsa

    This Chief Accountant role sits at the intersection of hands-on accounting, tax compliance, and team leadership within a multinational agri-tech environment. The hiring panel will be looking for someone who can talk fluently about Odoo system controls, KRA tax calendars, and IFRS application, while also showing they can coach a multicultural team. Your ability to link numbers to environmental impact will set you apart.

    1. Quantify Your Odoo Impact: On your CV, replace generic 'ERP experience' with specific Odoo modules you have configured or used daily, such as Inventory, Payables, or Receivables. Mention any automation you introduced and the time or cost savings achieved. For example, 'Automated three-way matching in Odoo, reducing month-end close by two days.' This directly addresses their goal of a 10% reduction in time or transactions.

    2. Show KRA Calendar Fluency: Prepare to discuss how you manage the Kenyan tax calendar, including VAT, PAYE, and corporate tax deadlines. Be ready to give an example of a tax audit you supported and how you handled KRA correspondence. Highlight any experience with tax assessments and how you kept records audit-ready.

    3. Demonstrate IFRS in Practice: The role requires day-to-day accounting in line with IFRS. Brush up on revenue recognition, inventory valuation, and lease accounting. In interviews, use concrete examples like 'I applied IFRS 15 to a multi-year contract, ensuring revenue was recognized correctly.' This shows you are not just compliant but proactive.

    4. Lead with Multicultural Team Stories: They want proven leadership with multicultural teams. Prepare a story about how you managed a diverse finance team, resolved a conflict, or adapted your communication style. Mention how you conducted performance reviews and supported development plans, as this role manages Accountants and Senior Accountants.

    5. Tackle Cash Flow and Working Capital Scenarios: Expect questions on how you plan cash flow to pay expenses on time while staying within budget. Walk through your method for overseeing receivables, payables, and inventory controls. Use numbers: 'I reduced DSO from 60 to 45 days by implementing a follow-up system in Odoo.'

    6. Prove Your Audit Readiness: They aim for no material audit issues and write-offs below KES 0.5M monthly. Describe how you led a statutory audit, liaised with external auditors, and maintained documentation. Mention any internal controls you strengthened to safeguard assets and ensure accurate cost allocation.

    7. Align with Environmental Passion: Sistema Biobolsa is an agri-tech company with an environmental mission. In your cover letter or interview, connect your finance work to sustainability—for example, how accurate cost allocation supports efficient use of resources. Show you are a doer who cares about impact, not just numbers.

    8. Prepare for Process Improvement Questions: They want someone who can maintain Odoo integrity and lead automation. Think of a process you improved, the steps you took, and the measurable outcome. Be ready to discuss how you document processes for training and how you keep your team's skills updated.

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    Tags

    accounting
    CPA-K
    Odoo
    IFRS
    tax compliance