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Finance Manager

Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO)

Mombasafull time~KES 200k – 350k/mo1d ago

Quick Take

The Role

Lead the preparation and analysis of financial statements, budgets, and forecasts while advising senior management on costing, revenue, and investment decisions to drive sustainable growth at a major public water utility.

You Need

CPA(K) qualification with 7+ years of finance/accounting experience including 3+ years in a managerial role, strong financial analysis skills, and ability to lead and mentor a finance team.

You Get

Permanent, pensionable position at Kenya's largest water utility with clear career progression, competitive salary (KES 200–350k/mo), and significant impact on essential public services.

Job Description

Role Overview

Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited (MOWASSCO) is seeking a seasoned Finance Manager to join its Finance Division. This is a permanent and pensionable position (Job Grade 3) reporting directly to the General Manager – Finance. The successful candidate will play a central role in monitoring overall company performance, guiding strategic financial decisions, and ensuring robust financial management practices across the organisation.

As Finance Manager, you will be responsible for the preparation of timely management accounts, financial budgets, forecasts, and analytical reports that inform executive decision-making. You will also drive the formulation of costing and revenue policies, evaluate investment proposals, and identify inefficiencies to support sustainable business growth in one of Kenya's key public utilities.

Key Responsibilities
  • Prepare timely monthly, quarterly, and annual management reports, board accounts, and financial statements.
  • Formulate costing and revenue policies and systems, ensuring accurate accounting of all costs incurred and revenue collected.
  • Advise the GM – Finance and senior management on revenue, costing, and profitability issues.
  • Consolidate individual departmental budgets into comprehensive company-wide financial budgets and forecasts.
  • Analyse financial and operational data to identify trends, investment opportunities, and areas for development.
  • Monitor and report on budget variances, product margins, and other key financial indicators.
  • Review and assess the viability of investment proposals submitted to the Finance Division.
  • Evaluate the financial impact of changes in pricing, consumption volumes, and operational costs on overall profitability.
  • Track non-financial indicators such as stock turnover and report on their effect on business performance.
  • Provide reliable cash flow forecasts and projections to support short- and long-term planning.
  • Monitor operational costs including wages, materials, and equipment expenditure.
  • Identify areas of operational inefficiency and recommend corrective measures to management.
  • Evaluate company assets and investments as required and provide strategic financial guidance.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce majoring in Finance or Accounting from a recognised university.
  • Must be a Certified Public Accountant — CPA (K) — and hold active membership with ICPAK or an equivalent professional body.
  • Must demonstrate at least 7 years of progressive experience in finance or accounting, with a minimum of 3 years at a supervisory or managerial level.
  • Must be able to manage a busy finance unit in a large organisation, balancing multiple reporting deadlines simultaneously.
  • Must apply strong business analytical skills to interpret complex financial data and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
  • Must lead and mentor a finance team, demonstrating sound people management and organisational skills.
  • Must work with proficiency in MS Office Suite (particularly Excel) and integrated accounting/ERP systems.
  • Must communicate financial information clearly — both written and verbally — to both finance and non-finance audiences.
  • Must uphold the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, and professional ethics in handling financial data.
Salary & Benefits

The salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with the public utility sector in Kenya. Based on the seniority of the role (Job Grade 3, Finance Manager level), the estimated monthly compensation ranges from KES 200,000 to KES 350,000. As a permanent and pensionable role, the position includes a government-backed pension scheme and other statutory benefits aligned with MOWASSCO's terms of service.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for a highly analytical and results-driven finance professional with a strong background in management accounting, financial planning, and corporate reporting — particularly within large, regulated, or public sector organisations. Candidates with prior experience in water, utilities, or infrastructure sectors will have a distinct advantage.

Do NOT apply if you have fewer than 7 years of relevant finance experience, lack CPA (K) certification, or have no demonstrated supervisory or team management experience. Entry-level or junior finance professionals are not suited for this role.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official MOWASSCO recruitment process. Ensure your application includes: a detailed CV highlighting your qualifications and work experience, copies of relevant academic and professional certificates, and a cover letter addressed to the Managing Director, MOWASSCO. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. MOWASSCO is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Bachelor's Degree in Commerce (Finance/Accounting major) from a recognised university
  • CPA(K) certification with active ICPAK membership or equivalent professional body
  • Minimum 7 years progressive finance/accounting experience with at least 3 years at supervisory/managerial level
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a busy finance unit with multiple reporting deadlines in a large organisation
  • Strong business analytical skills and ability to translate financial data into actionable insights

Nice to Have

  • Experience in utilities, public sector, or regulated industries
  • Proficiency with financial management systems and advanced Excel/data analysis tools
  • Track record of implementing costing and revenue policy systems
  • Knowledge of Kenya's water sector and MOWASSCO's operational context

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

Salary Context

Competitive mid-to-senior market rate for Finance Manager in Mombasa/Kenya public sector

KES 200–350k/mo is in line with supervisory finance roles at large parastatals and utilities in Kenya, reflecting the seniority (Grade 3) and public sector benefits (pension). Finance Managers at comparable organisations typically earn KES 180–380k depending on experience, organisation size, and cost-of-living region.

About Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO)

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Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited (MOWASSCO) is one of Kenya's key public water utilities, responsible for supplying clean water and sanitation services to Mombasa and its surrounding region. As a critical infrastructure organisation serving hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses, MOWASSCO operates at the intersection of essential public service and complex utility management. This is an excellent opportunity to make direct impact on Kenya's water security while working within a structured, established public sector institution with clear governance and long-term stability.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Can you walk us through your experience preparing and consolidating departmental budgets at scale? How did you handle conflicting budget requests from multiple units?

  • 2

    Describe a time when you identified significant financial or operational inefficiencies in a large organisation and what corrective measures you recommended. What was the outcome?

  • 3

    How have you used financial data and forecasting to influence strategic decisions or investment approvals in your previous role?

  • 4

    Tell us about your experience managing and developing a finance team. How do you approach mentoring accountants and analysts in a high-pressure, deadline-driven environment?

  • 5

    The water utility sector faces unique challenges around non-revenue water, consumption volatility, and cost control. What financial strategies have you used or would you use to manage profitability in a similar operating environment?

Application Tips

  • Highlight specific examples of budget consolidation, financial reporting, and advisory work at a large or multi-departmental organisation—emphasise the scale and complexity you've managed.

  • Quantify your impact: include metrics on cost savings identified, efficiency improvements implemented, or revenue policies developed that improved profitability or cash flow.

  • Emphasise your people leadership experience explicitly; the role requires mentoring and managing a finance unit, so demonstrate examples of team development, training, or restructuring you've led.

  • If you have any exposure to utilities, infrastructure, or public sector finance, flag it prominently—it shows familiarity with the operating environment and regulatory context.

  • In your cover letter, directly reference MOWASSCO's mission and explain why you're drawn to contributing to Kenya's water security and public utility performance.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Senior Accountant or Accounting Manager in a large organisation or public sector body
Financial Analyst or Assistant Finance Manager with progressive responsibility for budgeting and reporting
Audit or assurance role (Big 4 or mid-tier firm) with transition into industry finance

Where this leads

General Manager – Finance (the direct reporting line's boss) or Chief Financial Officer at MOWASSCO or similar utility
Finance Director or Head of Finance at a larger parastatal or private sector conglomerate
Board-level roles such as Audit Committee membership or Non-Executive Director positions in the utility or public sector

Skills & Keywords

finance manager kenyafinance jobs mombasamowassco jobscpa k jobs kenyamanagement accounting jobspublic sector finance jobsfinance and accounting kenyasenior finance jobs kenya

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Permanent and pensionable position—rare stability and long-term security, especially attractive in Kenya's job market.
  • Clear reporting line (directly to GM – Finance) and defined job grade (Grade 3)—transparent hierarchy and career structure within the organisation.
  • Exposure to strategic decision-making (investment proposals, pricing impact, policy formulation) rather than transactional work—opportunities to grow into senior leadership.
  • Established public utility with essential mandate—strong job security, impact on critical infrastructure, and alignment with Kenya's development priorities.

Watch Out

  • The job description cuts off mid-sentence at the end ('Must work with profici...'), suggesting the original posting may be incomplete—clarify missing responsibilities or requirements before applying.
  • No mention of flexible work arrangements, remote eligibility, or specific tools/systems (SAP, Oracle, Xero, etc.)—typical for public sector roles, but worth confirming operational setup during interview.
  • The salary range (KES 200–350k) is quite wide; clarify during the interview what factors determine placement within the band (experience, qualifications, internal grading).

A Day in the Life

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Your typical week involves preparing variance reports and flash financial updates for the Monday management meeting, consolidating monthly departmental accounts from Operations, Commercial, and HR by mid-month, and presenting board-ready financial statements to the GM – Finance by month-end. You're simultaneously reviewing an investment proposal from the Capital Projects team, coaching a junior accountant through their first budget consolidation, and analysing the impact of a proposed 8% water tariff adjustment on cash flow and customer margins. Afternoons are often spent in spreadsheet modelling, meeting with internal stakeholders to resolve account reconciliations, and drafting strategic financial recommendations for the executive committee—balancing deadline pressure with analytical rigour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Finance Manager at MOWASSCO?

You must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce (Finance or Accounting major) and be a CPA(K) with active ICPAK membership. You'll also need at least 7 years of finance/accounting experience, including 3+ years at a supervisory or managerial level.

Is the Finance Manager role at MOWASSCO remote or office-based?

The role is based in Mombasa and appears to be office-based (no remote work mentioned). As a large utility requiring coordination with departments and senior leadership, daily presence is likely expected.

How much does a Finance Manager earn at MOWASSCO?

The advertised salary is KES 200,000–350,000 per month, with placement in the range likely dependent on your experience, qualifications, and internal salary grading. The role is permanent and pensionable, adding significant long-term value.

What are the career growth opportunities after this role?

This is a stepping stone to General Manager – Finance, CFO, or executive leadership roles within MOWASSCO or larger public sector organisations. It also provides a platform for board-level positions in utilities and infrastructure over time.

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