Accountant
Nairobi, Kenya
Posted 2 weeks ago

Eleven Degrees Consulting Limited

Accountant – Nairobi, Kenya – 2024

Position: Accountant
Company: Eleven Degrees Consulting Limited
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Type of Job: Fixed Term Contract
Reporting to: Deputy Head of Finance & Administration
Application Deadline: November 22, 2024

Introduction

Eleven Degrees Consulting Limited, a prominent shared service provider for the Mini Group of Companies, is seeking a talented and detail-oriented Accountant for a Fixed Term Contract in Nairobi. Renowned for offering high-quality, innovative financial solutions, Eleven Degrees Consulting Limited is dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of finance with accuracy and precision. Our organization fosters a collaborative work environment, where every team member contributes to excellence and growth.

In this role, the Accountant will handle various financial responsibilities, including bookkeeping, budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance, focusing on real estate properties. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with a dynamic team, gain in-depth experience in financial management, and make a tangible impact on project cost control and overall financial accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

As an Accountant at Eleven Degrees Consulting Limited, your responsibilities will include:

1. Bookkeeping and Financial Reporting

Maintain accurate general ledger entries to ensure up-to-date financial records.
Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll functions efficiently.
Conduct bank reconciliations and maintain accuracy in all financial transactions.
Prepare and analyze monthly financial statements for transparency and reporting accuracy.

2. Budgeting and Forecasting

Assist in developing and monitoring project budgets and ensuring sufficient cash flow.
Prepare financial forecasts to support business decision-making.
Contribute to cost control initiatives and recommend strategies for cost reduction.
Assess and improve cash flow forecasting accuracy to align with actual business needs.

3. Audit & Compliance

Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with accounting standards.
Support financial audits by preparing and providing necessary documentation.
Ensure compliance with both county and national government tax regulations and prepare tax returns.
Ensure documentation accuracy for financial transactions and procurement processes.

4. Inventory and Stores Management

Oversee stock levels of material supplies and monitor inventory for discrepancies.
Conduct stock audits to maintain accurate inventory records.
Track material usage and ensure timely replenishment of stock as required.

5. Financial Reporting

Document and prepare bank reconciliation reports for review.
Provide monthly and quarterly budget reports to stakeholders.
Conduct financial analyses and create ad hoc reports as required.
Prepare and share financial forecasts and variance analysis reports to identify financial trends.
Support internal and compliance audits by generating internal audit reports and compliance reports.

Qualifications and Experience Required

To be successful in this role, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
CPA designation or relevant accounting certification is preferred.
Three years of experience in accounting or finance, ideally in the construction industry.
Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle) and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.

Key Skills and Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.
Strong organizational, analytical, and attention-to-detail skills.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and maintain confidentiality.
A proactive approach to problem-solving with the capacity to handle sensitive information discreetly.

Company Culture and Values

Eleven Degrees Consulting Limited prides itself on creating a dynamic and inclusive workplace. Our culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to quality. Our team comprises individuals passionate about delivering high-quality financial solutions and dedicated to our clients’ success. Joining our team offers candidates a supportive environment that values professional growth and team synergy.

Apply Now for the Accountant Position

If you meet the qualifications and are ready to take on this exciting opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Submit your application letter and updated CV to the Head of Human Resources at recruitment@team11degrees.com. Please ensure “Accountant” is mentioned in the subject line, and submit your application by November 22, 2024.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Internal candidates are encouraged to apply, keeping their line supervisors in copy. Successful candidates will undergo background checks.

Expert Tips to Be a Successful Applicant for the Accountant Role

1. Tailor Your CV to Highlight Relevant Accounting Experience

To stand out, customize your CV to reflect your specific skills and achievements in accounting, especially those relevant to the responsibilities of the Accountant role at Eleven Degrees Consulting Limited. Include examples of financial reporting, budgeting, and audit experience, as these are emphasized in the job description. For instance, if you have managed financial reporting for a real estate or construction company, be sure to mention the size of budgets you handled and any cost-saving strategies you implemented. Use action verbs such as “developed,” “analyzed,” or “monitored” to make your contributions more impactful.

Example:
“Managed monthly financial reporting for a real estate portfolio worth $5 million, achieving a 20% improvement in reporting efficiency through streamlined processes.”

2. Emphasize Compliance and Audit Expertise

Since this position requires audit and compliance skills, highlight your knowledge of accounting standards, tax regulations, and experience supporting financial audits. Demonstrate specific ways you have ensured compliance and managed audits effectively. You might mention an audit where you improved accuracy by implementing checks or where you provided comprehensive documentation that led to a successful audit outcome.

Example:
“Supported two internal audits per year, providing accurate documentation and streamlining compliance procedures, resulting in a 30% reduction in audit preparation time.”

3. Showcase Your Proficiency in Accounting Software and Tools

List the accounting software you are proficient in, especially those relevant to the job such as QuickBooks, SAP, or Oracle. Mention any advanced Excel skills, such as pivot tables or data analysis, that demonstrate your technical ability to manage large datasets, perform reconciliations, and track inventory. If you’ve created custom reports or automated tasks, detail how these improvements added value to your previous employers.

Example:
“Utilized advanced Excel functions and QuickBooks to automate monthly reconciliations, reducing processing time by 25% and ensuring timely reporting.”

4. Provide Examples of Budgeting and Forecasting Experience

This role involves assisting with budgeting, forecasting, and cost control, so highlight any experience where you have contributed to budgeting processes or improved forecasting accuracy. Be specific about the types of budgets you managed, and if possible, quantify your impact on financial accuracy or savings achieved. Tailor your examples to reflect any knowledge of cash flow forecasting as required in the job description.

Example:
“Assisted in developing an annual budget for a construction project valued at $2 million, implementing forecasting adjustments that improved cash flow accuracy by 15%.”

5. Demonstrate Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

Showcase situations where you used analytical skills to solve financial challenges or improve processes. Detail how you have approached issues like discrepancies in financial reports, inefficient cost control methods, or errors in inventory management. Mention how your analytical skills helped achieve significant outcomes or prevent financial setbacks.

Example:
“Identified and resolved a recurring discrepancy in accounts payable records, which reduced overbilling by 5% and improved the accuracy of monthly reports.”

6. Highlight Your Attention to Detail and Accuracy

Accountants must ensure precise and reliable financial records. Mention how your meticulous attention to detail has helped you maintain error-free financial statements or how it has positively impacted audit results. Give specific examples, such as finding small inconsistencies that led to significant improvements or prevented errors in reporting.

Example:
“Through meticulous attention to detail, identified and corrected a small but recurring error in inventory tracking, reducing discrepancies by 10% and increasing stock accuracy.”

7. Display Your Knowledge of Inventory and Stores Management

Inventory management is essential in this role, especially for real estate and construction sectors. Highlight your experience with tracking stock levels, performing inventory audits, and managing replenishment schedules. If you’ve improved inventory accuracy or minimized discrepancies, quantify these results to showcase your impact.

Example:
“Implemented a monthly stock audit process, reducing inventory discrepancies by 15% and streamlining replenishment for critical supplies.”

8. Mention Your Ability to Communicate Financial Information Clearly

The job requires strong communication skills to interact with various departments and explain financial information. Describe how you’ve effectively communicated complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders or trained team members on financial processes. Give examples that show your ability to break down financial concepts in an understandable way.

Example:
“Presented monthly financial summaries to project managers, explaining complex data in a clear manner that enhanced budget understanding and adherence by 20%.”

9. Include Your Commitment to Confidentiality and Ethical Standards

Accounting roles often require handling sensitive information, so it’s essential to highlight your commitment to confidentiality and ethics. Mention any situations where you managed confidential data responsibly or instances where your adherence to ethical standards protected your organization’s financial integrity.

Example:
“Maintained strict confidentiality while handling payroll for a team of 50 employees, ensuring compliance with privacy policies and securing sensitive data.”

10. Customize Your Cover Letter with Company-Specific Insights

In your cover letter, demonstrate your knowledge of Eleven Degrees Consulting Limited and how your experience aligns with their needs. Mention the company’s dedication to innovation and excellence, and relate your skills to their mission. Tailor your language to reflect the company’s values, showing that you’re genuinely interested in joining their team and contributing to their success.

Example:
“I am particularly drawn to Eleven Degrees Consulting Limited’s commitment to innovation and excellence, and I am excited about the opportunity to bring my extensive accounting experience in the real estate sector to support your mission.”