Financial Analyst – Nairobi, Kenya – Kenafric Industries Limited (2024)

Financial Analyst – Nairobi, Kenya – Kenafric Industries Limited (2024)

• Position: Financial Analyst
• Company: Kenafric Industries Limited
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Type of Job: Full-Time
• Reporting to: Finance Manager
• Application Deadline: November 8, 2024

Job Summary/Objective:

The Financial Analyst at Kenafric Industries Limited plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data. This position involves General Ledger management, financial reporting, budgeting, cost allocation management, and product margin analysis. Additionally, the role supports decision-making through financial modeling, cost analysis, and business performance forecasting, enhancing the company’s alignment with its strategic financial goals. Working directly with the Finance Manager, this role is an essential part of Kenafric’s commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities of the Financial Analyst

As a Financial Analyst at Kenafric Industries Limited, your responsibilities will include:

1. Departmental Process Improvement Initiatives
   • Implement process improvements and policy development initiatives to drive efficiencies within the finance department and support Kenafric’s business objectives.
2. General Ledger Management
   • Oversee General Ledger management, ensuring accurate record-keeping and compliance with all financial policies.
3. Material Consumption Monitoring
   • Monitor and analyze the consumption of raw materials, adjusting variances to reflect actual usage, ensuring that costs are accurately recorded.
4. Raw Material and Product Cost Verification
   • Verify the accuracy of raw material costing, ensuring material prices are accurately maintained and updated in SAP, contributing to timely management reporting.
5. Monthly Period-End Closures
   • Manage the monthly period-end closure processes to finalize financials, ensuring data consistency and accuracy.
6. Profitability Reporting
   • Generate profitability reports such as Contribution Margin, CP Margin, and EBITDA Margin to facilitate management’s understanding of product and company performance.
7. Costing Analysis and Decision Support
   • Conduct timely and accurate product costing analyses, using simulations to support informed decision-making by management.
8. Financial Data Analysis
   • Analyze financial data across forecasts, budgets, and historical figures to generate insights aligned with Kenafric’s strategic objectives.
9. Financial Modeling and Feasibility Assessments
   • Develop robust financial models to assess project feasibility, evaluate post-implementation outcomes, and provide insightful recommendations for new business ventures.
10. Conduct Business Studies and Forecast Models
    • Perform business studies and develop forecast models that align with the company’s strategic direction.
11. Cost-Saving Initiatives
    • Act as a custodian of cost-saving projects by identifying opportunities, monitoring project risks, and evaluating potential impacts on profitability.

Qualifications and Skills

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance; Master’s degree is preferred.
• Certification in CPA(K) or ACCA is required.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a financial analyst role.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in financial management and General Ledger management.
• Advanced analytical skills and the ability to make sound decisions based on complex financial data.
• Strong business modeling and valuation skills.
• Proficient in reporting and presentation with excellent commercial acumen.

Interpersonal Skills:

• Strong teamwork orientation with excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Technical Competencies:

• Advanced IT skills to support data analysis and financial modeling.

Company Culture and Values

At Kenafric Industries Limited, we pride ourselves on maintaining a culture of innovation, excellence, and integrity. As a company, we are committed to creating a dynamic and inclusive environment that values diversity and promotes the continuous growth of our employees. Our mission is to uphold the highest standards in all aspects of our business while delivering quality products and services. Joining Kenafric means being part of a dedicated team that strives to make a positive impact in Kenya and beyond.

How to Apply for the Financial Analyst Position

Are you ready to advance your career as a Financial Analyst at Kenafric Industries Limited? We invite all qualified applicants to apply and join a company dedicated to fostering talent and professional growth.

Note: We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all backgrounds. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Expert Tips for a Successful Financial Analyst Application

To maximize your chances of standing out in the application process, here are ten expert tips tailored for Financial Analyst applicants:

1. Customize Your Resume for the Role
   • Tailor your resume to highlight specific experiences and skills that match the job description. For instance, if the role involves “General Ledger management and maintenance of relevant schedules,” include a section in your resume under “Professional Experience” that demonstrates your experience with ledger management. Use clear metrics or results wherever possible, such as, “Managed and reconciled the General Ledger for a $10M account, reducing discrepancies by 15% over 12 months.” This targeted approach helps to show that you have the exact expertise Kenafric is seeking.
2. Showcase Proficiency in SAP or Relevant ERP Systems
   • Kenafric specifically values experience with SAP, especially for managing product costing and inventory tracking. If you have SAP experience, mention it prominently in your resume or cover letter. For instance, you might write, “Experienced in SAP for monitoring material consumption, variance analysis, and updating product costing models, resulting in increased accuracy and streamlined reporting.” If you don’t have SAP experience but have used another ERP, specify it, and express your eagerness to adapt to SAP.
3. Highlight Your Analytical and Business Modeling Skills
   • Financial Analysts at Kenafric are expected to conduct business studies and develop financial models to support decision-making. In your application, provide examples of specific models you’ve built, like forecasting or valuation models. An example could be, “Developed a dynamic financial model for a $5M product line that forecasted profitability under various market scenarios, contributing to a 10% increase in investment returns.” This specificity demonstrates your analytical acumen and experience with complex financial models.
4. Emphasize Accuracy and Attention to Detail
   • Cost allocations and accuracy in material pricing are crucial in this role. To demonstrate your meticulous attention to detail, highlight achievements where you ensured precise data management or reduced errors. For example, “Performed monthly reconciliation of costing for semi-finished goods, reducing data discrepancies by 20% through rigorous cross-checking and data validation protocols.” Such examples show your commitment to accuracy and the positive impact it has on financial reporting.
5. Demonstrate Strong Presentation and Communication Skills
   • Effective communication is key when presenting financial insights to management. Showcase your presentation experience by mentioning instances where you translated complex data into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders. For example, “Prepared and presented quarterly financial summaries for C-suite executives, distilling complex financial data into easy-to-understand recommendations that aligned with corporate strategy.” Such specifics prove that you’re adept at communicating critical financial insights to a non-financial audience.
6. Illustrate Cost-Saving Initiatives
   • Kenafric is looking for someone to identify and track cost-saving opportunities. If you’ve led or been part of a cost-saving initiative, emphasize it in your resume or cover letter. You could write, “Identified inefficiencies in the procurement process, resulting in a 12% reduction in material costs through renegotiated supplier contracts.” Highlighting past cost-saving initiatives shows Kenafric that you have a proactive approach to financial management and align with their business objectives.
7. Highlight Collaborative and Team-Oriented Achievements
   • Teamwork is emphasized, and showing that you work well with others will make your application stand out. For example, mention projects where you collaborated across departments. You might say, “Collaborated with supply chain and production teams to align on budget forecasts, ensuring accuracy in material cost assumptions and reducing cost variances by 10%.” This demonstrates your teamwork and ability to drive inter-departmental initiatives that benefit the company’s bottom line.
8. Align with the Company’s Mission and Values in Your Cover Letter
   • Research Kenafric’s mission and values, and integrate them into your cover letter. If Kenafric prioritizes sustainability or continuous improvement, mention similar experiences you’ve had. For instance, “I share Kenafric’s commitment to continuous improvement; at my previous company, I spearheaded a project to refine financial reporting processes, reducing report turnaround time by 30% and enhancing accuracy.” Aligning with Kenafric’s values reinforces that you are not only qualified but also a cultural fit.
9. Prepare for Behavioral and Technical Interview Questions
   • Anticipate questions that evaluate both technical skills and behavioral qualities. Prepare examples that illustrate how you handle challenges, like reconciling discrepancies or meeting tight deadlines. For example, if asked about a time you resolved an accounting error, you could say, “Discovered a discrepancy in month-end reports due to incorrect cost allocation, quickly rectified it by consulting with the procurement team, and implemented a new check to prevent similar issues.” Practicing such responses ensures you’re ready to articulate your problem-solving approach effectively.
10. Understand and Bypass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
    • To improve your application’s chances of passing ATS filters, include relevant keywords and exact phrases from the job description. Mention specific terms like “General Ledger management,” “cost allocations,” and “business modeling.” Avoid excessive formatting or unusual fonts, as these may disrupt ATS compatibility. If the description mentions skills like “financial data analysis,” use those exact terms naturally within your resume, as these keywords will increase your chances of being noticed by Kenafric’s hiring team.

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