Position: Accounts Officer

Location: MAMLO FOODS, Kisumu

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: 3-5 years in a startup or fast-paced environment

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Role Overview

MAMLO FOODS, a purpose-driven startup revolutionizing Africa’s peanut value chain, is seeking a proactive and highly skilled Accounts Officer. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Accounts Officer will manage the company’s financial operations, develop robust financial systems, and provide actionable insights to drive strategic decisions. This role is pivotal in ensuring financial compliance, fostering operational efficiency, and supporting the company’s growth and mission to empower marginalized women smallholder farmers .This role demands flexibility, initiative, and a deep understanding of managing finances in resource-constrained, high-growth settings.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Management and Accounting

  • Maintain accurate, real-time financial records, including general ledger entries, bank reconciliations, and petty cash management.
  • Process accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely invoicing, payments, and collections.
  • Oversee payroll processing, including statutory deductions (e.g., PAYE, NSSF, SHA) and compliance with labor laws.
  • Manage and monitor cash flow to ensure the business has sufficient liquidity for operations and growth.
  • Reconcile transactions with vendors, partners, and customers to maintain accurate balances.

2. Budgeting and Financial Planning

  • Collaborate with the CEO to create and monitor annual budgets and financial forecasts.
  • Track expenditure against budget allocations and report variances with actionable recommendations.
  • Provide financial models to support decision-making on investments, new product launches, and operational expansion.

3. Reporting and Analytics

  • Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
  • Develop KPI dashboards to provide the CEO with timely financial insights.
  • Support investor and grant reporting, including financial data for fundraising and impact assessments.

4. Compliance and Risk Management

  • Ensure timely filing of taxes (VAT) and compliance with Kenyan tax regulations.
  • Liaise with external auditors and ensure the organization is audit-ready at all times.
  • Maintain proper documentation of financial transactions for audit and legal purposes.
  • Identify and mitigate financial risks, including fraud prevention strategies and internal controls.

5. Process Development and Automation

  • Develop and implement accounting policies, systems, and tools suitable for a growing startup.
  • Recommend and deploy cost-effective financial management software to streamline operations.
  • Establish efficient invoicing, payment, and expense tracking systems to minimize errors and delays.

6. Strategic Collaboration and Support

  • Work closely with the CEO to align financial operations with strategic goals and operational priorities.
  • Provide financial insights for market expansion, pricing strategies, and supply chain optimization.
  • Collaborate with the operations and production teams to manage costs and improve margins.

7. Leadership and Capacity Building

  • Train non-finance staff on financial literacy, including budget management and resource optimization.
  • Support the growth of the finance department by documenting processes and preparing for future team expansion.

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. CPA/ACCA certification is highly preferred.

Experience:

  • 3-5 years of relevant accounting experience, with at least 2 years in a startup or SME environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to set up and manage financial systems in resource-constrained settings.
  • Hands-on experience with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero) and proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Skills and Competencies:

  • Strong understanding of accounting principles, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide data-driven insights.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Effective communication skills to convey financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
  • High level of integrity and commitment to ethical financial practices.

Key Attributes for a Startup Environment

  • Proactive and Innovative: Capable of identifying challenges and proposing creative solutions tailored to startup needs.
  • Flexible and Resilient: Thrives in a dynamic environment where priorities may shift rapidly.
  • Collaborative: Works seamlessly across departments to support company-wide goals.
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset: Embraces the vision and mission of MAMLO FOODS, contributing beyond the core finance function.

What We Offer

  • Dynamic Startup Culture: Be part of an innovative and purpose-driven organization with significant growth potential.
  • Professional Growth Opportunities: Access to training, mentorship, and exposure to multi-disciplinary work in the agri-food sector.
  • Competitive Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience, along with performance-based incentives.
  • Impact-Driven Work: Join a team dedicated to empowering marginalized women smallholders and transforming the peanut value chain.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role to careers@mamlofoods.com by 28/ 01/2025. Please use the subject line: Application for Accounts Officer - MAMLO FOODS.