Job: Financial Controller
Reports to : CEO and Group CFO
Role overview:
The Financial Controller is the Senior Finance professional responsible for overseeing entire finance function—from financial reporting and controls to funding, deposit mobilization and audit—ensuring integrity, compliance and strategic financial management as the business transitions into a deposit-taking institution.
Purpose
• To deliver accurate, timely and insightful financial reporting that supports strategic decision-making.
• To lead the transition toward a deposit-taking microfinance entity, securing and managing funding sources while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• To strengthen financial governance, risk management, internal controls and audit processes in a fast-growing, regulated environment.
• To lead and develop a high-performing finance team capable of meeting the group’s evolving needs.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Accounting
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS and Central Bank of Kenya regulations.
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring all reconciliations, journal postings and inter-company eliminations are completed on time.
• Manage fixed-asset register and depreciation schedules.
2. Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
• Coordinate the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts; deliver scenario analyses for strategic planning.
• Monitor budget-to-actual performance, investigate variances and propose corrective actions.
• Produce management information packs and KPI dashboards for senior leadership.
3. Funding & Deposit Mobilization
• Develop and execute strategies to secure wholesale funding lines, interbank facilities and investor partnerships.
• Oversee deposit product design, pricing and interest accruals in compliance with CBK deposit-taking regulations.
• Standardize and document policies, procedures and work instructions for the finance & audit functions.
• Lead process redesign initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy and controls.
Requirements
Required Competencies and Attributes
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of IFRS, Kenyan tax & deposit-taking regulations, microfinance accounting and audit standards (e.g. IIA’s IPPF).
• Analytical Ability: Strong financial modelling, scenario planning, variance analysis and audit risk assessment skills.
• Leadership & Communication: Proven ability to manage and develop multidisciplinary teams; excellent stakeholder engagement, report-writing and board-level presentation skills.
• Integrity & Professionalism: High ethical standards, confidentiality and rigorous attention to detail.
• Adaptability: Comfortable leading through transformation as the institution expands product lines and regulatory scope.
• Systems Savvy: Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, T-24), audit software (e.g., CaseWare, ACL) and advanced Excel.
Experience & Qualifications
Professional Certification: CPA (K), ACCA and/or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
• Academic Credentials: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; Master’s degree or professional postgraduate qualification preferred.
Experience:
• Minimum 5 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 1 year in a senior controller/head-of-finance role within a regulated financial institution.
• Demonstrated track record in funding negotiations, deposit product management and audit leadership.
• Prior experience in microfinance, banking or deposit-taking entities is highly desirable.
Benefits
• Medical for self and family