Background

Solar Panda is a social enterprise providing smart, low-cost solar power to communities across Africa, enabling families and small businesses to flourish and grow. Our high-quality solutions provide customers living without electricity access to clean, safe and sustainable solar energy through a unique rent-to-own business model. Customer...

Role Profile

The Finance Manager will be responsible for overseeing all financial operations of Solar Panda Kenya, ensuring robust financial management, regulatory compliance, accurate reporting, effective cash flow management, and strategic financial planning.

The role will serve as a key business partner to the leadership team, providing financial insights that drive sound decision-making while maintaining strong internal controls and governance standards.

This role reports to the Group CFO.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Lead preparation of monthly and annual financial statements and manage month-end/year-end close, ensuring compliance with IFRS and company policy.
• Partner with department heads on pricing, profitability, and operational efficiency; deliver financial insights that support investment and expansion decisions.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Treasury

• Lead annual budgeting and periodic forecasting; build financial models to support strategic decisions and investigate variances.
• Manage liquidity, working capital, and rolling cash flow forecasts; oversee banking relationships and payment processes.

Accounting Operations & Internal Controls

• Oversee accounts payable/receivable, payroll accounting, and the general ledger, ensuring accurate records and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Establish strong internal controls and segregation of duties; supervise the finance team and identify/mitigate financial and operational risks.

Tax, Statutory Compliance & Audit

• Ensure timely filing and payment of all statutory obligations (VAT, PAYE, corporate income tax, NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy, WHT, and others), acting as primary liaison with the Kenya Revenue Authority.
• Coordinate external and internal audits, prepare supporting documentation, and implement audit recommendations.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, building a culture of accuracy and accountability, including performance reviews and succession planning.

Academic Qualifications & Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Commerce, or a related field; CPA(K), ACCA, (or equivalent) required; Master's Degree (MBA or Finance-related field) will be an added advantage.
• 7–10 years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including 5+ years in finance management or senior leadership. Experience in renewable energy, PAYGo financing, fintech, telecoms, FMCG, or microfinance is a plus, along with a track record in budgeting, forecasting, audit, treasury, and managing multi-functional teams.

Personal Attributes

• Strong grounding in IFRS, Kenyan tax regulations, FP&A, treasury, internal controls, and audit/compliance management.
• Advanced Excel and ERP systems experience (NetSuite, SAP, Dynamics, Oracle, or similar).
• High integrity, strong leadership, and excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, comfortable in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Finance Manager will be measured on:

• Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting and forecasting.
• Cash flow management, working capital optimization, and strength of internal controls.
• Audit outcomes and regulatory/tax compliance.
• Team performance and support for business growth objectives.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization transforming lives through clean energy.
• Dynamic and entrepreneurial working environment.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.
• Opportunity to work with a talented and diverse team.

• Lead preparation of monthly and annual financial statements and manage month-end/year-end close, ensuring compliance with IFRS and company policy.
• Partner with department heads on pricing, profitability, and operational efficiency; deliver financial insights that support investment and expansion decisions.
• Lead annual budgeting and periodic forecasting; build financial models to support strategic decisions and investigate variances.
• Manage liquidity, working capital, and rolling cash flow forecasts; oversee banking relationships and payment processes.
• Oversee accounts payable/receivable, payroll accounting, and the general ledger, ensuring accurate records and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Establish strong internal controls and segregation of duties; supervise the finance team and identify/mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Ensure timely filing and payment of all statutory obligations (VAT, PAYE, corporate income tax, NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy, WHT, and others), acting as primary liaison with the Kenya Revenue Authority.
• Coordinate external and internal audits, prepare supporting documentation, and implement audit recommendations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, building a culture of accuracy and accountability, including performance reviews and succession planning.

• Strong grounding in IFRS, Kenyan tax regulations, FP&A, treasury, internal controls, and audit/compliance management.
• Advanced Excel and ERP systems experience (NetSuite, SAP, Dynamics, Oracle, or similar).
• High integrity, strong leadership, and excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, comfortable in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Commerce, or a related field; CPA(K), ACCA, (or equivalent) required; Master's Degree (MBA or Finance-related field) will be an added advantage.