Job Purpose
The Projects Accountant serves as the financial guardian of all project operations, overseeing comprehensive financial management—spanning budget development, cost oversight, final account reconciliation, and audit preparedness. This position ensures financial precision, regulatory adherence, and transparency within a fast-paced, multi-project contracting landscape by collaborating closely with project managers, quantity surveyors, and field teams to monitor, validate, and report every financial transaction in real time. Integral to success in this role is the capacity to harness digital and IT solutions to streamline processes, enhance integration, and elevate financial visibility throughout the entire project lifecycle.
Oversee a comprehensive array of critical duties, including the orchestration of team workflows, the facilitation of cross-departmental collaboration, and the implementation of strategic initiatives to drive organizational growth. Ensure meticulous adherence to industry standards and regulatory compliance while maintaining a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating potential risks. Develop and monitor key performance indicators to evaluate operational efficiency, and provide actionable insights to senior leadership to inform data-driven decision-making. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by coaching team members, optimizing resource allocation, and championing innovative solutions to enhance productivity and service delivery.
Developing and managing project budgets, alongside comprehensive financial planning, is a key responsibility of this role. The position requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure accurate financial projections, efficient allocation of resources, and adherence to fiscal constraints. Additionally, the role involves conducting financial analysis, monitoring expenditures, and providing strategic recommendations to optimize budget performance. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in financial software, and experience in budgetary oversight are essential for success in this position.
Oversee the development, execution, and continuous evaluation of project-specific budgets, ensuring strict alignment with Bills of Quantities (Boys), contract values, and project schedules.
Prepare dynamic financial forecasts on a monthly and quarterly basis, integrating any modifications in project scope, variation orders, and progress updates to ensure accurate and up-to-date financial planning.
Develop and update budget-vs-actual dashboards in Excel (advanced proficiency required) or ERP/project management platforms, ensuring real-time data visibility for project managers and senior leadership.
Integrate budgetary information with project scheduling applications, such as MS Project and Primavera, to synchronize financial and temporal project planning objectives.
Prepare financial statements and management accounts to guarantee precise and timely reporting, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and organizational guidelines. Analyze financial data to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for cost optimization and process improvement. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic decision-making initiatives. Maintain robust internal controls and ensure compliance with accounting policies and procedures. Oversee month-end and year-end closing processes, including reconciliations and adjustments. Provide actionable insights and recommendations to senior management to enhance financial performance and operational efficiency.
Compile precise and prompt financial reports, including project profit and loss statements, cost-to-complete evaluations, and earned value analyses, on a monthly schedule as well as at the request of management.
Prepare detailed variance analyses that compare actual expenditures against established budgets and forecasts, supplemented with concise, insightful written commentary to inform managerial decision-making.
Consolidate multi-project financial data to generate comprehensive company-wide project portfolio reports for the Head of Finance and the Management Board.
Leverage the reporting capabilities of ERP/accounting systems—such as SAP, Sage, QuickBooks, or comparable platforms—to produce organized management accounts.
Create dynamic KPI dashboards to track utilization rates, cost burn, profitability by project, and WIP schedules using Excel pivot tables, Power BI, or comparable business intelligence tools.
Responsible for overseeing and optimizing financial expenditures, this position focuses on maintaining budgetary discipline and ensuring efficient use of resources across all operational areas. Key duties include developing cost-saving strategies, monitoring financial performance against established budgets, and identifying variances requiring corrective action. The role requires strong analytical skills to assess spending patterns, evaluate cost drivers, and implement measures to reduce waste without compromising quality or operational effectiveness. Collaboration with department heads is essential to align cost control initiatives with broader organizational objectives while supporting sustainable financial health.
Monitor expenditures for labor, materials, subcontractors, plant, and preliminaries across all projects in real time, ensuring strict adherence to approved budgets as they are incurred.
Proactively detect budget variances, uncommitted expenditures, and potential financial risks, then provide strategic recommendations to project teams to implement corrective measures.
Oversee the accounting processes for Work-in-Progress (WIP) in strict accordance with the construction contract accounting guidelines outlined in IAS 11 and IFRS 15.
Review, verify, and authorize interim payment certificates (PCs), subcontractor payment applications, and supplier invoices in alignment with established contract milestones.
Assist the Quantity Surveyor by conducting valuations, performing re-measurements, and participating in final account negotiations with clients and subcontractors.
Administer contract retention calculations, manage release schedules, and oversee bond tracking for all ongoing projects.
IT Systems, Data, and Digital Finance Tools encompass the technological infrastructure, data management capabilities, and financial software solutions that drive operational efficiency and strategic decision-making within organizations. These tools integrate cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics, and automated reporting systems to streamline financial processes, enhance data accuracy, and support real-time financial monitoring. Proficiency in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, data visualization tools, and cybersecurity protocols is essential, along with a strong understanding of financial regulations and compliance standards. Responsibilities include implementing and maintaining digital finance solutions, analyzing financial data to identify trends, and ensuring seamless integration across departments to optimize performance and mitigate risks.
Leverage ERP and project accounting software to serve as the definitive financial authority for all projects, ensuring accurate and unified financial data.
Develop and sustain automated Excel-based systems, including macros and models (using VBA and Power Query), to facilitate cost tracking, cash flow forecasting, and payroll reconciliation.
Design and oversee Qlik (or comparable) dashboards to provide real-time visibility into project financial performance, ensuring seamless access for project and site teams.
Integrate financial data received from field systems—such as site timesheets, materials requisitions, and fuel logs—into the accounting system, thereby reducing manual data entry requirements and minimizing the risk of errors.
Develop and uphold a standardized digital document management system to organize all project financial documentation, including contracts, PCs, variations, and purchase orders, utilizing platforms such as SharePoint, Alone, or Procure.
Assess current financial workflows and propose IT enhancements, with a focus on mobile-first solutions for on-site data capture and approval processes.
Serve as the Finance Super-User for the ERP system, delivering training to project staff, ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the chart of accounts, and coordinating with IT to manage system configuration and upgrades.
Oversee the implementation of cybersecurity best practices to safeguard financial data, encompassing controlled system access, comprehensive audit trails, and robust data backup protocols.
Ensures rigorous financial oversight of procurement activities to maintain budgetary compliance and fiscal accountability. Monitors expenditures against allocated funds, verifies adherence to procurement policies, and conducts cost-benefit analyses to optimize resource allocation. Collaborates with finance teams to reconcile discrepancies, assess vendor pricing, and validate financial transactions. Identifies cost-saving opportunities while mitigating financial risks associated with procurement operations. Maintains accurate records of financial transactions, prepares detailed reports for leadership review, and supports audits to ensure transparency and regulatory adherence. Requires a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field, along with 3+ years of procurement or financial oversight experience. Proficiency in financial software, strong analytical skills, and a keen attention to detail are essential.
Thoroughly assess procurement requests and purchase orders to ensure alignment with approved project budgets prior to any commitment being made.
Monitor and identify any purchase orders that have not been committed and open Goods Receipt Notes (GRNs) which could potentially impact project cost projections.
Utilize the procurement-to-pay functionalities of the ERP system to validate three-way matching—PO, GRN, and invoice—prior to processing any payments.
Responsible for overseeing cash flow operations and providing treasury support, this role involves ensuring liquidity, optimizing financial resources, and managing day-to-day treasury functions. Key responsibilities include monitoring cash positions, forecasting liquidity needs, executing intercompany transactions, and reconciling bank accounts. Additionally, the position requires maintaining strong relationships with financial institutions, implementing cash management strategies, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and regulatory standards. Ideal candidates will possess a strong background in finance or accounting, proficiency in treasury management systems, and the ability to analyze financial data to drive strategic decision-making.
Develop and oversee project-specific as well as consolidated cash flow forecasts, ensuring updates are performed weekly or at key program milestones.
Monitor client billing cycles, track IPC submission deadlines, and verify payment receipts to enhance working capital efficiency.
Proactively identify potential cash flow vulnerabilities, such as payment delays or upfront expenditure patterns, and recommend strategic countermeasures to the Head of Finance to safeguard financial stability.
Draft drawdown requests and financial reports for project financiers, banks, or development finance institutions as required.
Compliance, Regulatory, and Financial Oversight responsibilities are integral to this role, ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. This position involves developing, implementing, and monitoring robust control frameworks to mitigate risks, maintain financial integrity, and uphold statutory obligations. The role requires a strong understanding of regulatory requirements, financial reporting standards, and internal audit processes. Additionally, the successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify compliance gaps, recommend corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Verify that all project financial transactions adhere to Kenyan financial regulations, the stipulations of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and the company’s established internal controls.
Oversee the calculation, deduction, and remittance of withholding tax (WHT) on payments made to subcontractors and professional service providers, ensuring full compliance with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) regulations.
Ensure that Value Added Tax (VAT) treatments on construction contracts are both processed promptly and recorded with precision, incorporating mechanisms such as reverse-charge procedures and accounting for VAT on retained amounts.
Ensure a fully traceable project file is consistently maintained, encompassing financial documents, contracts, variations, and approvals, to facilitate seamless internal and external audits at any given time.
Assist in the completion of year-end statutory audit activities, with a focus on preparing and reviewing work-in-progress schedules, accruals, prepayments, and reconciling contract assets and liabilities.
Ensure the strict enforcement of segregation of duties, approval authority matrices, and financial delegation policies with respect to project expenditures.
Overseeing payroll administration and labor cost optimization initiatives, with primary responsibility for managing payroll processes and controlling associated labor expenditures.
Supervise the processing and reconciliation of site-specific payroll involving casual laborers, artisans, and skilled trades such as plumbers and carpenters, guaranteeing precision and adherence to Employment Act regulations.
Reconcile labor cost allocations by project, cost center, and activity code, ensuring accurate data input into project cost reports.
Facilitating seamless collaboration across diverse teams and engaging key stakeholders to drive cohesive project outcomes and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
As the primary financial advisor to Project Managers and Resident Engineers, you will participate in project progress meetings, evaluate project schedules, and contribute financial insights to critical decisions.
Collaborate with Quantity Surveyors to manage contract administration, prepare claims, and resolve disputes efficiently.
Work alongside the HR and Administrative teams to oversee workforce cost control and accurately allocate benefits expenses to respective projects.
Deliver comprehensive financial assessments to bolster contract proposals, evaluate pricing strategies, and inform go/no-go determinations for prospective projects.
Compile and present financial reports and briefings for client project steering committees or joint venture governance meetings, as needed.
We are seeking a candidate to oversee process improvement initiatives and uphold financial governance standards. The ideal applicant will analyze operational workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement corrective measures to enhance productivity and reduce costs. Responsibilities include developing and monitoring financial controls, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and preparing accurate financial reports. Additionally, the role entails collaborating with cross-functional teams to align business objectives with financial strategies, as well as conducting regular audits to assess risk and recommend improvements. Strong analytical, leadership, and communication skills are essential for success in this position.
Continuously assess and enhance financial processes, reporting workflows, and systems integration to bolster accuracy and operational efficiency.
Craft comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to formalize and document robust project financial management processes.
Foster a financially responsible culture within site and project teams by implementing targeted training initiatives, establishing transparent financial policies, and conducting routine financial evaluations.
Compile and deliver regular financial governance reports to the Head of Finance and the Chief Financial Officer.
Seeking a candidate with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, along with a minimum of three years of professional experience in software development. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++ is required, as well as familiarity with frameworks like Django or Spring. Strong problem-solving abilities and excellent communication skills are essential, alongside a proven track record of delivering high-quality projects on time. The ideal applicant will demonstrate adaptability, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous learning in a fast-paced environment.
Academic Qualifications:
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution. Candidates should possess a minimum of five years of postdoctoral research experience, with a proven track record of publishing in high-impact journals and securing external funding. Demonstrated expertise in areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, or data science is strongly preferred. Familiarity with interdisciplinary research methodologies and a commitment to mentoring junior scholars are essential. Fluency in written and spoken English is required, and knowledge of additional languages is advantageous.
A recognized university degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, or a related discipline at the bachelor’s level is required.
Seeking candidates with a proven track record in professional experience, demonstrating expertise in relevant industries or fields. Applicants should possess extensive hands-on experience in roles that align with the position’s demands, showcasing a minimum of [X] years in progressive responsibilities. The ideal candidate will have successfully executed key projects, managed teams, or delivered measurable results in prior roles. Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning are essential. Familiarity with industry-specific tools, methodologies, or best practices is preferred. The role requires the ability to collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and drive impactful outcomes in dynamic environments.
A minimum of six years of progressive experience in project accounting, cost accounting, or financial management is required.
A minimum of three years of hands-on experience within the construction, civil engineering, or infrastructure contracting fields in Kenya or East Africa is highly desirable.
Demonstrated expertise in overseeing multiple financial portfolios, collectively valued at KES 500M or more, would be highly beneficial.
We are seeking candidates with a robust foundation in technical and IT competencies, including but not limited to network administration, system integration, cybersecurity protocols, and cloud computing solutions. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++ is required, along with hands-on experience in database management, troubleshooting hardware/software issues, and implementing IT infrastructure upgrades. Familiarity with DevOps practices, Agile methodologies, and project management tools is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams to deliver innovative technical solutions.
ERP Proficiency: Requires practical experience with a construction or project-focused ERP system, such as Sage 300 Construction & Real Estate, SAP (PS module), or a comparable platform. The role necessitates the ability to configure project cost codes, generate reports, and retrieve data efficiently.
Proficient in using Advanced Excel features, including Pivot Tables, LOOKUP/LOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, financial modelling, and a functional understanding of VBA macros and Power Query to streamline automation processes.
Business Intelligence: Proficiency in tools such as Qlik or Tableau—or comparable platforms—for the creation and dissemination of financial dashboards is strongly preferred.
Full proficiency in the MS Office 365 Suite, including Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and Word, is required, with the ability to leverage these tools for professional communication and document management within a cloud-based environment.
Proficiency in digital document management systems, including SharePoint, Alone, Procure, or comparable platforms, is essential for organizing project documents, facilitating approvals, and maintaining accurate financial records.
Data Integrity & Cybersecurity Awareness: Possesses knowledge of financial data governance principles, implements robust access controls, maintains comprehensive audit trails, and adheres to industry-leading data backup protocols.
We seek a candidate who demonstrates strong expertise in core competencies, including innovative problem-solving, effective communication, and strategic planning. The ideal applicant will possess a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high attention to detail and delivering measurable results. Collaboration and adaptability are essential, as the role requires working closely with cross-functional teams to drive organizational objectives. Additionally, proficiency in data analysis and proficiency with industry-specific tools are mandatory for success in this position.
Demonstrates strong financial expertise with comprehensive knowledge of project accounting principles, construction contract revenue recognition under IFRS 15, and Work-in-Progress (WIP) accounting methodologies.
Demonstrates strong analytical skills by effectively interpreting and consolidating extensive data sets to produce concise, practical financial recommendations.
Maintaining meticulous accuracy across all financial records, reports, and reconciliations is essential to ensure high-quality standards.
Commercial Awareness: Demonstrates a solid grasp of various contract structures, including lump sum, re-measured, and cost-plus agreements, as well as procurement models and the full spectrum of the construction project lifecycle.
Demonstrates exceptional skill in conveying intricate financial details in accessible terms to both non-financial project teams and senior leadership.
Maintaining the utmost integrity and discretion is paramount, ensuring adherence to the highest professional ethics while managing confidential financial and commercial information.
Proactive and self-driven, this individual takes initiative to recognize challenges and implement solutions independently, requiring minimal supervision. They demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, consistently seeking opportunities to improve processes and outcomes through decisive action.
Proven capacity to prioritize tasks efficiently and thrive amid dynamic, multi-project construction settings with rapidly changing demands.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
6 years
