Chief Accountant

Freds Ranch and Resort

Nairobifull time~KES 120k – 200k/mo2d ago

Quick Take

The Role

Lead all financial and accounting operations for a hospitality resort, managing bookkeeping, financial statements, compliance, payroll, and internal controls while reporting to senior management.

You Need

CPA(K) qualification, 5+ years progressive accounting experience (2+ in senior role), and strong knowledge of Kenyan tax law and hospitality accounting software.

You Get

Senior leadership position at a established resort property with competitive salary (KES 120–200k/mo), hands-on financial responsibility, and opportunity to shape financial strategy in a dynamic hospitality environment.

Job Description

•Role Overview

Freds Ranch and Resort is seeking a meticulous and experienced Chief Accountant to lead all financial and accounting operations at our hospitality property. This is a senior role that requires a hands-on professional who can maintain financial integrity, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide accurate reporting to support strategic decision-making across the resort.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong accounting background ideally within the hospitality or service industry, and will be comfortable operating in a dynamic environment where attention to detail, discretion, and operational agility are paramount. You will serve as the financial custodian of the resort, working closely with management to drive fiscal discipline and organizational growth.

•Key Responsibilities

Oversee all day-to-day accounting operations including bookkeeping, reconciliations, and ledger management
Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports
Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, ensuring timely processing and reconciliation
Ensure full compliance with Kenyan tax regulations including VAT, PAYE, corporate tax, and KRA filing obligations
Liaise with external auditors and facilitate smooth annual audit processes
Develop and monitor internal financial controls and accounting policies
Manage payroll processing in coordination with HR and ensure statutory deductions are remitted accurately
Track budget performance and provide variance analysis reports to senior management
Oversee petty cash management and approval of expenditures within set thresholds
Maintain fixed asset registers and oversee depreciation schedules
Support strategic planning by providing financial forecasts and scenario analyses

•Required Skills & Experience

Demonstrate proven ability to prepare and interpret full financial statements independently
Apply working knowledge of Kenyan tax law and statutory compliance requirements (KRA, NSSF, NHIF/SHIF)
Use accounting software such as QuickBooks, Sage, or similar platforms proficiently
Manage multiple accounting functions simultaneously in a hospitality or service sector environment
Communicate financial insights clearly to non-finance management and departmental heads
Lead and mentor junior finance staff, fostering accuracy and accountability
Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate integrity in handling sensitive financial data
Hold a CPA(K) qualification or equivalent professional certification
Possess a minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory role
Hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related field

•Salary & Benefits

The budgeted monthly salary for this role is estimated in the range of KES 120,000 – 200,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. Freds Ranch and Resort offers a competitive package reflective of the seniority of the role. Additional benefits may include accommodation or transport facilitation given the resort's location, as well as access to resort facilities.

Competitive salary based on experience
Resort facility access
Professional work environment with growth opportunities

•Who Should Apply

Ideal Candidate: You are a CPA-qualified accountant with substantial experience in the hospitality or service industry. You are self-driven, highly organized, and comfortable taking ownership of the full accounting function. You understand the nuances of resort or hotel finance — from F&B cost controls to occupancy-based revenue recognition — and you thrive under the scrutiny of audits and regulatory compliance.

Do NOT apply if: You have fewer than 5 years of accounting experience, are not CPA(K)-qualified or working toward final stages, have no experience managing financial reporting end-to-end, or are uncomfortable working in a hospitality environment that may require flexible scheduling including weekends and public holidays.

•How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should follow the steps below to apply:

Prepare an updated CV highlighting your accounting qualifications, relevant experience, and any hospitality sector exposure
Write a brief cover letter explaining why you are the right fit for the Chief Accountant role at Freds Ranch and Resort
Submit your application through the Freds Ranch and Resort official careers page or the job platform where you found this listing
Ensure your application clearly states your current or expected salary and your availability to start
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

CPA(K) qualification or equivalent professional certification
Minimum 5 years progressive accounting experience with at least 2 years in supervisory/senior role
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or related field
Proven knowledge of Kenyan tax regulations (KRA, PAYE, VAT, NSSF, NHIF/SHIF)
Proficiency with accounting software (QuickBooks, Sage, or similar)

Nice to Have

Prior experience in hospitality or service sector accounting
Experience liaising with external auditors and managing audit processes
Track record of developing and implementing internal financial controls
Demonstrated ability to mentor and lead junior finance staff

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Competitive mid-to-senior level salary for Chief Accountant in Nairobi hospitality sector

The KES 120–200k range is appropriate for a senior accounting role in Kenya's hospitality industry, with variation driven by candidate's CPA status, years in senior role, and specific hotel/resort sector experience. Top-tier resort operations in Nairobi typically pay toward the upper end for experienced CPAs with proven track records.

About Freds Ranch and Resort

Freds Ranch and Resort is an established hospitality property in Nairobi offering accommodation and resort facilities to leisure and corporate guests. As a mid-to-upper tier resort operator in Kenya's competitive hospitality sector, they prioritize operational excellence and financial discipline. The organization values meticulous financial stewardship and offers a dynamic working environment where finance directly supports strategic business growth.

Likely Interview Questions

1
Walk us through how you would design and implement a robust internal financial control framework for a multi-department resort operation like ours.
2
Can you share an example of a time you identified a significant financial or compliance issue in your previous role and how you resolved it?
3
How have you used financial data and variance analysis to support strategic decision-making in a previous hospitality or service sector role?
4
Our resort operates across multiple revenue streams (accommodation, dining, events, etc.). How would you structure accounts and reporting to track performance by department?
5
Describe your experience with KRA audits and compliance management. Have you handled a tax audit or dispute, and what did you learn?

Application Tips

Emphasize specific hospitality or service sector accounting experience—mention any resorts, hotels, restaurants, or similar properties where you've worked; this is a stated preference and will set you apart.
Highlight your CPA(K) status prominently and quantify your supervisory achievements (e.g., 'led 3-person accounting team,' 'reduced reconciliation time by 30%').
Include concrete examples of compliance wins—successful tax filings, audit outcomes, or process improvements that demonstrate your mastery of KRA and statutory requirements.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Senior Accountant or Accounting Manager in hospitality, retail, or service sector

Finance Officer or Assistant Chief Accountant at a mid-scale hotel or resort

Accounting Supervisor or Team Lead with 2+ years managing junior staff

YOU

Where this leads

Finance Manager or Financial Controller for a larger resort group or hotel chain

Operations Manager with responsibility for financial oversight across multiple properties

CFO or Finance Director at a medium-sized hospitality or service organization

Skills & Keywords

chief accountant kenyasenior accountant hospitalityaccounting jobs kenyacpa jobs nairobifinance jobs kenyaresort accounting jobshotel accountant kenyafinancial reporting kenya

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

Clear, detailed job description with specific, measurable responsibilities and KRAs aligned to senior accounting role expectations.
Competitive salary range (KES 120–200k) with explicit statement that pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, showing flexibility for top candidates.
Role emphasizes strategic partnership with management (forecasting, scenario analysis, fiscal discipline), not just transactional accounting—genuine leadership opportunity.
Explicit mention of mentoring and team leadership, indicating career development path and organizational investment in professional growth.

Watch Out

Job description is incomplete—'Additional benefits may in' is cut off, leaving uncertainty about what the full benefits package includes.
No mention of whether the role involves on-site presence, shift flexibility, or any remote work options, which is important for hospitality accounting roles.
No explicit mention of performance metrics or KPIs against which the Chief Accountant will be evaluated, making success criteria somewhat ambiguous.

A Day in the Life

☀️

Your week at Freds Ranch and Resort typically opens with a Monday morning review of the weekend's financial transactions and any compliance flags, followed by coordination meetings with department heads on budget performance. Mid-week involves reconciling accounts payable and receivable, running payroll in coordination with HR, and preparing variance reports for management review. You'll spend time diving into QuickBooks or Sage to ensure ledgers balance, meet with the external audit team if it's audit season, and mentor your junior accountant on proper journal entry procedures. By Friday, you're pulling together forecasts and scenario analyses to support the management team's strategic planning, ensuring the resort's financial position is transparent and controls are airtight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Chief Accountant at Freds Ranch and Resort?

You must hold a CPA(K) certification or equivalent, have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Commerce, and demonstrate a minimum of 5 years progressive accounting experience with at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory role. Prior hospitality or service sector accounting experience is highly valued.

Is the Chief Accountant role at Freds Ranch and Resort remote or on-site?

The job posting does not specify remote or flexible work options. This is a senior operational role managing day-to-day accounting functions at the property, implying on-site presence in Nairobi is likely required; clarify during the interview process.

How much does a Chief Accountant earn at Freds Ranch and Resort?

The budgeted monthly salary is KES 120,000–200,000, commensurate with your qualifications, professional certifications, and years of senior-level experience. The range reflects the seniority of the role and competitive hospitality sector standards in Nairobi.

What are the career growth opportunities from this Chief Accountant role?

This role is a genuine senior leadership position with exposure to strategic financial planning, audit management, and team mentorship. Successful performance can lead to Finance Manager, Financial Controller, or CFO-track roles in larger hospitality groups or beyond the sector into broader corporate finance leadership.

Free Match Score