Reporting To: Group Head of Accounts & Tax Supervises: Farm Accountants

Deartment/Group: Finance Travel Required: Yes

1. POSITION PURPOSE & SCOPE

The Chief Accountant leads all farm-level finance operations: accurate, IFRS-compliant reporting, robust internal controls, cost and biological-asset accounting, cash and forex management, and timely compliance with Kenyan tax and statutory requirements. The role provides reliable financial information to support farm decisions, and leads and develops the farm accounts team.

2. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES (KEY RESULTS AREAS)

• Team Leadership & Supervision
• Financial Reporting, Budgeting & Analysis
• Accounts Receivable & Export Sales
• Accounts Payable
• Cost, Inventory & Biological Asset Management
• Cash, Treasury & Forex Management
• Payroll & Statutory Compliance
• Tax Compliance
• Internal Controls & Audit

3. JOB DESCRIPTION

Team Leadership & Supervision

• Set, monitor and appraise KPIs for the farm accounts and supply chain teams; supervise daily data entry, reconciliations and reporting; mentor staff and build capacity.
• Support department heads on budgets, cost control and financial queries.

Financial Reporting, Budgeting & Analysis

• Complete monthly close and issue management accounts by the 15th, with variance analysis against budget; present weekly finance reports.
• Prepare IFRS-compliant statements (incl. IAS 41, IAS 2, IAS 16) and finance board papers.
• Lead farm budgeting, forecasting and greenhouse/variety profitability analysis, advising on cost optimisation.

Accounts Receivable & Export Sales

• Oversee daily invoicing and credit notes, verifying invoices against dispatch andexport documents (auction, EUR1, phytosanitary).
• Issue weekly statements, resolve queries, reconcile auction/customer remittances and claims, keep debtors within credit terms and escalate overdue accounts.

Accounts Payable

• Authorise supplier invoices, reconcile supplier ledgers and GRNs monthly, and review payment vouchers for payment within credit terms.

Cost, Inventory & Biological Asset Management

• Maintain cost structures per greenhouse, variety and customer; monitor greenhouse budgets.
• Supervise tracking of inputs (fertilisers, chemicals, plants, packaging) and outputs (harvests, rejects, sales); review daily store issues and stock ledgers.
• Oversee monthly stock takes, resolve variances and ensure correct fair-value accounting of biological assets.

Cash, Treasury & Forex Management

• Oversee receipts, bank and petty cash reconciliations and daily cash positions.

• Prepare and update the cash flow forecast to ensure liquidity; manage forex exposure (USD/EUR) and revaluations.

Payroll & Statutory Compliance

• Verify payroll inputs (attendance, leave, variable pay, deductions) and finalise payroll on time.
• Ensure accurate, timely filing and payment by the 9th of PAYE, NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy, NITA and HELB.

Tax Compliance

• Reconcile the VAT control account monthly; file VAT returns by the 20th via iTax and eTIMS; pursue export VAT refunds.
• Ensure timely payment of withholding VAT and withholding tax; manage tax audits and queries with KRA.

Internal Controls & Audit

• Uphold internal controls, segregation of duties and company policies; escalate risks, losses and fraud.
• Coordinate internal/external audits, implement recommendations and support certification audits (e.g. Fairtrade, GLOBALG.A.P.).

4. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a professional, service-oriented approach, build effective inter-departmental relationships and resolve accounts queries promptly.
• Keep abreast of IFRS, tax and labour law changes; attend meetings and training as scheduled.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Head of Department within the scope of the role, adhering to company culture, policies and procedures.

5. POSITIONS MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or related field.
• CPA(K) holder and ICPAK member in good standing; Master's degree or ACCA is an added advantage.
• Minimum 7 years' accounting experience, at least 3 in a supervisory role, preferably in floriculture, horticulture or agribusiness.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, Kenyan tax and statutory laws; proficiency in
• ERP/accounting software, iTax/eTIMS and advanced Excel.
• Integrity, analytical ability, attention to detail and deadline discipline.

6. OTHER COMPETENCES

• Strategic Planning
• Business Acumen & Decision Making
• Leadership Skills
• People Skills & Organisational Culture
• Compliance & Integrity