Finance Manager (Financial Reporting and Compliance) at Busara Center

About the role:

• The Finance Manager is pivotal in Busara's financial sustainability and growth, leading in financial planning, analysis, reporting, and compliance. This role ensures transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in financial reporting and management by overseeing key financial functions and directing a dedicated team. The Finance Manager collaborates with executive leadership and the broader management team, providing strategic insights and recommendations to drive financial efficiency and sustainability.
• As an advisory firm, Busara operates in a consulting setup, managing multiple portfolios consisting of various advisory projects and engagements. This dynamic environment requires the Finance Manager to adeptly navigate multiple financial streams, ensuring each portfolio's financial health and alignment with overall organizational goals.
• This position is responsible for leading financial planning and management efforts, monitoring financial performance, forecasting future financials, and offering strategic financial advice to the project managers and leadership team. The Finance Manager will also directly manage the finance team, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Core Responsibilities:

• Financial Reporting, Analysis, and Management
• Generate clear and accurate financial reports for Busara's leadership and project teams, ensuring timely delivery.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance and the management team to develop organizational-level budgets and financial plans.
• Monitor and analyze the annual organizational and operations budget, highlighting deviations and areas of improvement.
• Direct financial forecasts, focusing on areas like currency risk and cost allocation.
• Regularly update financial projections and cash flow forecasts.
• Ensure efficient management of funds, especially for field projects.
• Oversee the preparation of financial reports and projections, ensuring reports are accurate, readable, and fit for purpose for decision-making.
• Lead the documentation and continuous development of business processes and accounting policies, fortifying internal controls and enhancing transparency.
• Lead and mentor the finance team, ensuring optimal daily accounting operations and financial reporting.
• Champion continuous process improvements and system automation to drive efficiency.
• Compliance and Process Improvement
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of financial regulations and relevant laws in all jurisdictions where Busara works and as relevant to the evolving needs of the organization.
• Create and implement policies on accounting and financial processes, and guidelines, keeping up with organizational needs and relevant regulatory changes in key countries.
• Create and ensure appropriate financial controls are in place and adhered to.
• Oversee all external audits, delegating responsibilities to designated team members and ensuring they are completed on time.
• Oversee statutory compliance; ensure efficient administration of all statutory payments, ensuring timely and accurate disbursements and regulatory compliance.
• Spearhead the design and execution of actionable training for project staff on accounting policies, ensuring uniformity in understanding and application.
• In new Busara offices, oversee Operations staff training on Accounting, ensuring consistent adherence to the organization’s policies and practices.

People Management

• Serve as a direct manager and mentor, senior officers, officers, and/or other team members in the Finance Team. 
• Set clear performance expectations and goals for performance management. Support employees' growth and development through guidance, coaching, mentorship, instruction, and advice.
• Promote productivity by prioritizing and organizing objectives, resources, and work assignments to support employee success. This includes delegating tasks and responsibilities effectively while supporting and guiding team members as needed.
• Facilitate collaboration and build trust among team members and leaders.
• Lead by example and promote the adoption of organizational values and culture. 
• Effectively allocate and utilize available resources, including financial, human, and material resources, to achieve the team's goals and objectives. 
• Advance the financial and accounting strategy of the organization, aligning with Busara's goals across Busara Offices countries.
• Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the Finance Director or equivalent.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
• A bachelor's degree in business, economics, finance, or a related field and a certified Accountant ( CPA(K), ACCA qualification) 
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in accounting and/or auditing, preferably in a research, consultancy or non-profit setting; with at least 2-3 years of experience in a similar role.
• Experience in effectively managing finance teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Deep knowledge of standard accounting principles (GAAP, IFRS, etc.)
• Knowledge of Financial practices, laws, and regulations in at least one of the markets where Busara operates. 
• Proven experience in financial modeling, budgeting and budgetary controls; managing statutory audits for multiple countries. 
• Strong experience in financial analysis and working with data sets to build  projections and generate analytical insights with strong attention to detail. 
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively.
• Have strong proficiency in mainstream office software, including G Suite or Microsoft Office and advanced working knowledge of NetSuite accounting software (or extensive experience with a similar system). Also be comfortable learning new systems.
• Ability to maintain and enhance existing professional relationships across the organization, especially in support of work in the assigned areas,
• Have a creative mindset and the ability to deal with ambiguity, see past barriers, and generate and think through multiple solutions as potential paths forward. 
• Self driven, enthusiastic attitude towards continuous learning and comfortable working in a high-performing environment under minimal supervision. 
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and integrity of accounting information.
• As applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the vacancy is filled, you are encouraged to submit your application soonest possible.